Bring Back the Good Old Days

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I don’t consider myself old, by any means.  In fact, I’ve actually started to embrace my forties! When I was a teenager, I vividly remember giving my parents the side-eye when they would talk about missing the “good old days,” but as I get older, I think I know exactly what they were talking about.  Over the four decades that my life has spanned, so many things have changed. 

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Here are 10 things that I miss about the good old days:

10. Handwritten letters.  I have an old jewelry box that I had when I was a senior in high school.  Inside that box are several handwritten notes from my boyfriend.  Just this week my boyfriend (who is now my husband of 19 years) and I sat and read most of those letters.  It was nice to see someone spend more than 11.5 seconds to send a text message to someone.  Bring back those days!

9.  Long telephone conversations. I can remember spending hours on the phone talking to my friends.  No one talks on the phone anymore.  I’m guilty, too!  If I’m not commuting to/from work, I usually can’t find the time to engage in telephone conversations that exceed the time needed for a simple question or request.

8. Watching TV with my family.  I used to love sitting with my family watching television.  I miss the times when, believe it or not, a child could sit with his parents and watch TV without feeling awkward or tensing up in anticipation of inappropriate content appearing on the screen of what is supposed to be “family” TV.  Bring back those days, please!!

7. Sunday dinners with my family. There was a time when I knew, without question, where I’d be eating after church on Sundays.  My family would get together each Sunday for a delicious meal and some good old quality time.  Nowadays, life just has us all pulled in different directions, so it’s hard to make a standing appointment to enjoy those days of old.

6.  All-day shopping trips with my mom. I can remember when shopping with mom meant being ready to leave home at 9:00 am and not returning home until about 7:00 pm. Sometimes, it would be just the two of us and others, we’d bring the whole girl gang. Those were the best times.

5.  Long walks in the summertime.  I grew up in Winterboro, Alabama, a small, rural community in Talladega County.  In the summertime, you could easily find my childhood friend and me taking long walks on the country roads, always outside of boundaries set for us by our parents. (Shhhhh!!!) 

4. Living life without an hour-by-hour schedule. I had a great childhood.  I can remember very vividly having lots of fun with my friends playing games, talking on the phone, traveling, shopping, etc.  But I don’t remember having to “schedule” appointments to play. Now, everyone’s life is so schedule-driven that having fun must be scheduled in my Erin Condren Life Planner in order for it to take place.  Bring back the good old days!!

3.  Coffee pot coffee. I begged and pleaded for a Keurig coffee machine, even though my Mr. Coffee coffee maker was working just fine.  I can’t lie, most mornings, I have to squeeze in the 90-second wait for the cup of Joe that my Keurig produces.  However, I must also admit that I miss the smell of freshly-brewed coffee creeping through the house from the old-school coffee maker.

2.  Hanging out with my friends. This kind of goes along with #5 and #4.  I miss the days when the biggest decision I had to make was which friend’s house I was going to hang out at or which friend I was going to invite over!

1.  Christmas Cards! The number 1 thing that I miss from the good old days is……CHRISTMAS CARDS!  As hard as it is, I make it my business to squeeze in the time to send Christmas cards.  And, I force myself to personally address each envelope.  One of the highlights of the holidays for me is going to my mailbox and receiving holiday greetings from my friends and family. Sadly, each year brings fewer and fewer Christmas cards.  People are simply too busy or have opted for online versions of this holiday tradition.

Take a minute to reflect on some things that you miss. 

Why Do We Say the Good Old Days?

Remembering the past often brings forth images of good times, laughter, and a sense of ease. It’s a sentiment beautifully captured our memories. The good old days were a time of simplicity, genuine connections, and a slower pace of life.

In different times, when technology had yet to dominate our every waking moment, people found joy in the great time spent with family and friends, unburdened by the constant buzz of notifications.

The term “good old days” often triggers a nostalgic yearning for a bygone era, a time when life seemed more straightforward. But what exactly makes those days ‘good’? Is it the absence of modern complexities, or is it the genuine human connections fostered in those moments?

Exploring the meaning behind the good old days opens a door to understanding the values we hold dear and the essence of a life well-lived.

Bridging Generations: Lessons for Future Generations

While the good old days are often looked back upon with fondness, there’s a timeless wisdom in passing on the lessons learned from those days to future generations. Reflecting on the small things that brought immense joy can serve as a guide for creating a fulfilling present and future.

In Different Times: Navigating Change

As we navigate the present moment, it’s essential to acknowledge that times have changed. Embracing the tools and technologies of today doesn’t mean forsaking the simplicity of the past. The good old days serve as a foundation upon which we can build a future that combines the best of both worlds.

In this digital age, where terms of use govern much of our online experiences, it’s crucial to define our own terms of use for creating good times. Whether it’s a spontaneous road trip, a family dinner, or a quiet moment of reflection, these terms become the blueprint for crafting our own version of the good old days.

The good old days are not confined to a specific era but rather represent a timeless sentiment rooted in appreciation for the simple joys of life. So, let’s cherish the present, draw wisdom from the past, and create a future that resonates with the laughter and connection.