Believe it or not, the era you grow up in greatly influences the life lessons you learn.
If you were raised in the 60s or 70s, there are certain values and guides to living you probably acquired without even noticing.
The world was a different place, societal attitudes were shifting and new technologies were emerging, shaping your perspective of life.
This article is like a stroll down memory lane. I’ll remind you of 10 nuggets of wisdom your younger years likely instilled in you, if like me, you’re a child of the 60s or 70s. So, let’s journey back and revisit those golden lessons that shaped who we are today.
1) The beauty of simplicity
Growing up in the 60s and 70s, you probably came to appreciate the simple things. You see, back then, life wasn’t as inundated with technology and digital distractions as it is today.
We were content with a good book, a frisbee in the park, or a transistor radio for company. This taught us a profound life lesson: happiness can be found in the simplest of things.
In an age when most kids can’t imagine life without an iPad, we 60s and 70s kids know the treasures that simplicity holds.
2) Cherishing loved ones
It hit me hard during my years growing up in the 70s, when my grandmother passed. Life unfolded in slower and more intimate ways back then, and we had a stronger bond with our family and friends.
On Sunday mornings, we’d all gather at my grandmother’s house for her unbeatable home-cooked breakfast. When she passed, the cherished tradition came to an end. But it taught me a life lesson and I have carried it through my life. We should never pass up the chance to spend quality time with our loved ones – to cherish every meal, every laugh, every shared moment.
3) The power of patience
In the era of the 60s and 70s, instant gratification was a concept that was truly alien to us. Remember waiting by the radio to catch your favorite song or collecting stamps to mail a letter? It seemed like forever, but it taught us the virtues of being patient.
This is now a scientifically proven fact. Studies have shown that patience improves decision making and long-term view in life, and we, the children of the 60s and 70s, learned this valuable lesson way before researchers put it down on paper.
4) Value of Hard Work
As a child of the 60s or 70s, it was evident that nothing worthwhile came without rolling up your sleeves and diving in headfirst. In our times, the sweat of our brows was our true currency.
Many of us held down summer jobs or did chores for pocket money, instilling in us a reverence for hard work from an early age. We learned early on that success in any field or endeavor is the result of dedicated toil and perseverance, a life lesson we carry with us to this day.
5) Nature is a playground
In our childhood days, skies were our ceiling and the vast outdoors was our playground. Nature hikes, bike rides, creek fishing, constructing tree houses – These were the retreating spots of children from the 60s and 70s.
These experiences endowed us with a boundless love and deep appreciation for the natural world around us. We learned that nature was not something to be feared or avoided, but embraced and cherished. Today, we carry this reverence for nature, teaching the generations after us valuable lessons about conservation and sustainable living.
6) Genuine human connection
Growing up before the internet age shaped us in ways that are profound and distinct. We relished face-to-face interactions, embraced handwritten letters, and spent hours chatting on porch swings or in cozy, dimly lit corners of coffee houses.
We listened more, judged less, and connected deeply. It’s a heartwarming memory for many of us that highlights the intimacy of genuine human connection. Though the world has changed, and technology dominates communication, the soulful 60s and 70s taught us to cherish unfiltered, authentic conversations. These connections, devoid of screens and devices, have enriched our lives in immeasurable ways.
7) Embracing change
I recall the day our family got our first color television. Whisked away from the comfort of the familiar black-and-white box, this new addition felt odd and exciting at the same time. Another significant change was when I moved schools midway through my 6th grade – it was challenging, yet it was an experience that made me stronger, adaptable, and resilient.
The 60s and 70s were decades of tremendous change and societal shifts. This constant tide of change taught us to adapt, be flexible, and embrace new experiences. It’s a lesson we carry with us, letting us navigate the ebb and flow of life with grace.
8) The upside of failure
Picture this, a sunny afternoon spent engaged in a spirited game of hopscotch or “catch and don’t drop”. You tripped, missed, perhaps even lost. But did that deter us from getting up and having another go? Not at all.
During the 60s and 70s, we learned that failure wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. These setbacks, minor as they might have seemed, became stepping stones to improvement. Losing a game didn’t mean the end; it was an opportunity to do better next time. It’s an unconventional perspective, yet one that was organically woven into our developmental years.
9) The gift of imagination
With the absence of today’s technology in our childhood, necessity truly became the mother of invention. A cardboard box could transform into a race car, a couple of logs turned into a fortress, and a rainy day called for indoor puppet shows.
Growing up in the 60s and 70s, our ability to dream, create and invent was endless. We learned to cultivate our imagination and creativity. This became an invaluable life lesson, nurturing our problem-solving skills and enriching every aspect of our adult life.
10) The endurance of kindness
No matter the generation, some virtues never lose their charm. The 60s and 70s weren’t all peace and love as retrospectively romanticized, but they indeed taught us the universal importance of kindness.
We watched our parents, teachers, and community leaders lend a helping hand to those in need. From sharing a meal with a friend who forgot their lunch to helping a neighbor fix a broken fence, these everyday acts of kindness became second nature to us.
Kindness sews society together, and this is perhaps the most crucial lesson we imbibed from lively, convivial neighborhoods of our golden years. Kindness is a legacy we carry forward from our past, a legacy we pass on to future generations.