Seeking an Old-Fashioned Life in a Modern World

Old-fashioned or outdated? There’s a difference.

OLD-FASHIONED- refers to characteristics or qualities that align with past times or a bygone era. Some may view it positively as charming, quaint, and wise, while others may see it negatively as unfashionable or outdated. 

OUTDATED- is understood as something that is no longer current, useful or relevant for modern life.

I believe we’re entering a time when “old-fashioned living” is being embraced rather than deemed outdated. People are yearning for a change. A slower pace. A simpler way of life. I’ve even seen a resurgence of VHS players and “old-school” TVs, of all things! I think people are getting tired of the noise. Women are returning to the kitchen and baking bread. They’re donning aprons, hanging laundry out to dry and washing dishes by hand. Mothers are turning off screens and sending their children outside to play.  But is it the slower methods themselves that people are seeking, or is there something more that drives people to this lifestyle?

What are people seeking? Is it disconnection? Yes and no, perhaps. I believe many people are looking for a life that is more meaningful and intentional. I think the images on screens don’t always bring about inspiration but can leave us feeling empty and discontent. They can also give us a false idea of reality. Our world is fast-paced and offers so much that it can be overwhelming. For those of us who have been around for a while, we remember a time when the world was not at our fingertips. Many of us find ourselves wanting to dial back the clock to a simpler time. I read a quote once by Oscar Wilde, “Nothing is so dangerous as being too modern; one is apt to grow old-fashioned quite suddenly.” 

“Old-fashioned” methods and manners

Old-fashioned living is more than just growing your own tomatoes or hanging gingham curtains in the windows. It’s about putting down the phone and making eye contact with the person you’re talking to. It’s about holding the door open for someone at the grocery store, and saying “ma’am” and “sir” when speaking to your elders. Helping a neighbor in need, taking a meal to a family who has lost a loved one, or making your husband’s plate for him at dinner. These simple old-fashioned gestures are still relevant today and have a deeper meaning than just learned politeness. These gestures are simple yet impactful, and they help keep us grounded.

In doing these things, we find ourselves looking for more ways to distance ourselves from certain modern ideologies and take a more hands-on, personal approach to life. Like baking bread, tying on an apron, hanging our laundry… it all fits together to help us create a simple, slow, old-fashioned life, filled with purpose.