This week I wrote my grocery list on a scrap of paper instead of typing it into my phone like a modern, efficient human.
And you know what?
I didn’t lose it.
I didn’t forget to open an app.
I didn’t get distracted by three notifications and end up ordering socks online.
I just… bought the groceries.
It made me laugh a little, because for all the amazing tech we have, there are still some old-school habits that quietly work better — or at least make life feel simpler.
This isn’t a “throw your phone in a lake and churn your own butter” situation. I like modern conveniences as much as anyone. But I’ve noticed there are a few low-tech habits I keep returning to because they’re just easier on my brain and my day.
✍️ Writing Things Down by Hand
Phone notes are great… in theory. But handwritten lists hit differently.
When I write something down on paper:
• I remember it better
• I actually look at it
• I don’t get sucked into a scroll spiral
There’s something about physically writing that helps my brain go, “Oh, we care about this.” Plus, crossing things off a real list is deeply satisfying in a way tapping a screen just isn’t. It’s simple, but it works — which is a theme you’ll notice here.
🧵 Fixing Small Things Instead of Replacing Them
Loose button? Sew it.
Wobbly chair? Tighten it.
Something cracked? Try glue before Amazon.
I’m not talking about major home repairs — I mean the tiny stuff we grew up just… handling. It takes five minutes, saves money, and gives a weird little boost of “look at me being capable.”
Somewhere along the line we were sold the idea that everything is disposable. But a lot of things just need a tiny bit of attention, not a trip to the trash.
🗺️ Knowing Where You Are Without GPS
GPS is amazing. I’m not giving that up.
But I’ve noticed when I pay attention to landmarks, street names, and general direction, I feel way less frazzled if technology hiccups. I’m not completely helpless without a voice telling me to “turn right in 500 feet.”
It also makes me feel more aware of where I actually am instead of just following instructions like a delivery robot. That awareness alone lowers my stress more than I expected.
🍲 Making a Meal From What’s Already There
There’s a certain satisfaction in looking at a random assortment of ingredients and thinking, “Okay… we can make this work.”
Not every dinner needs a recipe, a store run, and three specialty ingredients. Some of the best meals come from:
• Leftover odds and ends
• Pantry staples
• A little creativity and lowered expectations
It’s less pressure, less waste, and honestly feels like a small life skill win every time.
📞 Calling and Talking to an Actual Person
Yes, I avoid unnecessary phone calls like a normal person.
But being able to just pick up the phone, ask a question, schedule something, or sort out a problem in five minutes? Still powerful.
No chatbots.
No “press 7 for…”
No typing your life story into a form.
Sometimes the fastest way through something is still a simple conversation.
🧠 Figuring Things Out Before Googling
I absolutely use the internet to learn things. Bless it.
But I’ve started pausing for a minute before I immediately search for the answer. Sometimes I actually can figure it out — how something works, where I put something, what the next step should be.
That tiny pause builds confidence. It reminds me I’m not completely dependent on a search bar to function.
The Quiet Comfort of Simple Skills
None of these habits are flashy. They won’t go viral.
But they make everyday life feel a little calmer, a little more capable, and a little less tangled up in constant input and upgrades... the kind of stuff that builds up to overwhelm.
Turns out some of the most useful habits aren’t high-tech. They’re just practical, hands-on, and still doing their job — same as they always have.
❓
What low-tech habits have you quietly never given up?
What’s something you still do the “old way” because it just works?
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
Want in?
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.
Have a question or something to share?
✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
