Think Tank

Why are young people starting to regain their 'old-fashioned lifestyle'

2026-03-03   

I enjoy writing letters by hand, listening to storytelling on the radio on time, and collecting clean cloth bags for recycling... Recently, many young people have been diagnosed as old-fashioned humans on social media. They live an "old-fashioned life", love to use old objects, eat home cooked dishes, pursue a simple and down-to-earth lifestyle, and regain the relaxation of their parents' era; Some people prefer "old-fashioned romance" and pursue practicality and reliability over floating romance; Some "old-fashioned parenting" reject the internal competition of chicken babies and refuse overly refined parenting and academic anxiety. In summary, the main characteristics of "old-fashioned life" are "not in a hurry" and "authenticity". The young generation is a complex and diverse group, and each person's inner desires and actual preferences may be personalized. Especially after entering society and starting their life path independently, young people will develop a stronger sense of subjectivity, and have their own thoughts and choices about life pace, emotional preferences, parenting styles, etc. Choosing an 'old-fashioned lifestyle' is actually more like a faithful and autonomous choice. For example, in a situation where parents in the surrounding area are all "chicken babies", Lin Xiao (pseudonym), a mother born in the 1990s, was initially unconsciously infected by anxiety, but later she found that "rush learning" was difficult to truly ignite her child's enthusiasm for learning. So they turned to "old-fashioned parenting" and only kept drawing classes that children were interested in, spending more time with them to get close to nature and experience daily life. This itself is a rational reflection on educational anxiety. For another example, when ordering takeout and brushing videos almost become the "standard configuration" of young urban people's life, some young people take the initiative to open the "health mode": get up half an hour early every day to cook a bowl of mixed grains Congee and a dish of cold dishes; Put down your phone before going to bed at night and isolate yourself from the digital noise. It can be seen that many of these young people did not go straight to the "old-fashioned life" from the beginning, but after constantly trying and adjusting, they found that some traditional ways were more suitable for themselves. Taking dietary habits as an example, the popular special iced American style can certainly be tried, but for many young people with sensitive stomachs, old-fashioned drinks such as herbal tea are still more suitable for daily health preservation; For some young people who enjoy exploring and deep communication, spending an afternoon cooking a pot of soup for friends, drinking tea and discussing with friends may seem "old-fashioned", but it actually helps them gain a sense of inner fulfillment and establish real connections between people, rather than the fast-paced 5G surfing and virtual socializing. A healthy society can accommodate diverse lifestyles, and 'old-fashioned lifestyle' does not mean lying flat and regressing, nor does it mean being disconnected and opposed to reality. As some experts have pointed out, unlike their predecessors who lived a simple life due to limited conditions, some young people choose the "old-fashioned life" as a recognition after comparison: "They themselves recognize and enjoy this kind of life, which is a leap towards higher levels of emotions, respect, and even self fulfillment after their material foundation is relatively satisfied." After all, life should never be shown to others, whether it is traditional or trendy choices. Choosing the good and following one's heart is the true sense of control over life. Therefore, for the diverse choices of young people striving to "manage their lives", society can adopt a more open and inclusive attitude, truly understand the real needs behind the trend of "old-fashioned life", and provide a more friendly development environment for young people through measures such as improving public services and optimizing the workplace environment. For example, when many young people complain about high work pressure and fast pace, activities such as psychological counseling, health education, and youth night schools can be organized in communities, enterprises, etc. to help them relieve stress through learning weaving, calligraphy, and other activities; Organizing more interesting community communication activities can also to some extent respond to the emotional needs of young people for real offline social interaction, making the "nearby" no longer disappear silently. Part of the young people's return to the "old way of life" may be a revelation: in the rapidly changing era of technology and trends, people often face multiple temptations and choices, but after experiencing it, whether it is the "new" or the "old" that suits their actual situation, or whether they need to listen to their true inner voice. (New Society)

Edit:Luoyu Responsible editor:Zhoushu

Source:GMW.cn

Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email:lwxsd@liaowanghn.com

Recommended Reading Change it

Links