Eliza Hartley
If you’ve ever chatted with a boomer, you’ve probably heard “back in my day” stories. Those tales aren’t just nostalgia – they’re proof of resilience.
Growing up wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for boomers. They faced a myriad of challenges that have shaped them into the tough cookies they are today.
In this article, we’ll explore eight experiences that most boomers had to go through, making them more resilient than younger generations.
Just like understanding human communication, getting to grips with this generation’s resilience can be complex but enlightening. Stick around to gain a little wisdom from our boomer friends.
1) Learning to make do with less
Boomers didn’t grow up with the luxuries we have today.
There were no smartphones, no internet, and definitely no online shopping. If they wanted something, they had to earn it, save for it, or simply do without.
This generation learned the value of patience and hard work at an early age. They understood that you can’t always have what you want when you want it.
Instead of instant gratification, they developed grit and resilience.
They discovered that happiness doesn’t come from material things, but from overcoming challenges and appreciating what they have.
Next time when you’re scrolling through your favorite online store, itching to hit the buy now button, think about the boomers.
Remember how they found joy in the little things and satisfaction in hard work. It might just change how you view your own desires and resilience.
2) Facing adversity head-on
I remember my grandpa telling me stories about his childhood.
Growing up in the aftermath of World War II, he and his family faced hardships that I can hardly imagine. Food was scarce, jobs were few, and uncertainty was the only thing they could count on.
But instead of giving up, they fought even harder. They worked long hours, rationed their food, and found joy in the simplest of things – a hot cup of coffee, a warm blanket, a day without rain.
My grandpa often said that these hardships made him stronger. They taught him to never take anything for granted and to always be prepared for the worst.
And when I look at him now, still standing strong at 85, I can see the resilience in his eyes. I can see how those early experiences shaped him into the person he is today.
Whenever I’m facing adversity, I think of my grandpa. I remind myself that if he could get through those times with grace and resilience, then so can I.
3) Growing up without technology
There was a time when the phrase “Google it” would have been met with puzzled looks.
A time when communication meant writing a letter or dialing a rotary phone, not sending a quick text or tweet.
Boomers grew up in this era, a world without the convenience of modern technology.
They couldn’t rely on GPS for directions or the internet for information. They had to use maps, encyclopedias, and their own intuition.
This demanded resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, and a certain level of independence. It fostered resilience, as they had to navigate their world without the safety net of technology.
Interestingly, the average human attention span has noticeably dropped since the advent of smartphones.
Boomers, on the other hand, honed their focus and patience in an era devoid of instant digital gratification.
Next time you find yourself reaching for your phone to solve a problem, consider taking a leaf out of the boomer’s book. Try solving it on your own first; it might just make you a little more resilient.
4) The importance of community
In the boomer era, neighbors knew each other.
People would gather in each other’s homes for meals, lend a helping hand when needed, and children played in each other’s yards until the street lights came on.
This sense of community was a vital part of their upbringing. It taught them about cooperation, shared responsibility, and the value of strong relationships.
When times were tough, they could lean on their community for support. This not only fostered resilience but also encouraged a sense of empathy and understanding towards others.
In today’s world, where many of us don’t even know our neighbors’ names, this is a lesson we could all stand to revisit.
Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community can go a long way in building our own resilience.
5) Appreciating the outdoors
I remember when I was a kid, my parents would always encourage me to play outside. “Go climb a tree, ride your bike, explore the world around you,” they would say.
This was a common theme for most boomers. They didn’t have video games or social media to keep them indoors. Instead, they had the great outdoors as their playground.
Spending time in nature taught them to appreciate the simple things in life. It also instilled a sense of adventure and curiosity that has stayed with them throughout their lives.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize the value of their advice. There’s something incredibly grounding about connecting with nature.
It reminds you of your place in the world and helps you develop a sense of resilience that’s hard to find anywhere else.
So next time you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, try stepping outside. Take a walk, breathe in the fresh air, and let nature do its magic. You might just find it’s the best therapy there is.
6) Less parental supervision
In today’s world, we often hear about helicopter parenting, where parents hover over their kids, protecting them from every possible harm. But back in the boomer days, things were quite different.
Parents were less protective, and kids had more freedom to explore and make their own mistakes. This might seem like a recipe for disaster, but it was actually a vital part of their growth.
By facing the consequences of their actions firsthand, they learned valuable life lessons.
They understood the importance of personal responsibility and developed problem-solving skills that served them well into adulthood.
This isn’t to say that supervision isn’t important. But there’s a lot to be said about learning through experience and developing resilience through overcoming obstacles on your own.
7) Embracing failure
For boomers, failure wasn’t something to be feared, but something to be embraced.
They understood that success isn’t a straight path. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. And sometimes, you have to fall down in order to learn how to get back up.
This mindset played a crucial role in building their resilience. It taught them to view setbacks not as the end of the road, but as stepping stones to success.
In a world where we’re often pressured to be perfect, this is a lesson we could all benefit from. Remember, it’s okay to fail.
What matters is that you learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. That’s what true resilience is all about.
8) Valuing hard work
The boomer generation was defined by their work ethic. They understood the value of hard work and weren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.
This wasn’t just about earning a paycheck. It was about taking pride in what they did, whether it was fixing a car, building a house, or growing a garden.
Through hard work, they learned discipline, perseverance, and resilience.
They understood that nothing worthwhile comes easy, and they were willing to put in the effort to achieve their goals.
In today’s world of quick fixes and shortcuts, this is a lesson that still rings true.
Hard work might not always be glamorous, but it’s often the key to building resilience and achieving lasting success.
Reflections on resilience
If you’ve journeyed with us through these points, you likely have a newfound appreciation for the resilience of the boomer generation.
Resilience isn’t about never falling down; it’s about getting back up, dusting off, and moving forward. It’s a quality born out of facing adversity and learning to navigate through it.
The boomer generation didn’t have it easy, but their experiences shaped them into resilient individuals.
They learned to make do with less, faced adversity head-on, embraced the beauty of community, and had to navigate their world without the safety net of modern technology.
They understood the value of hard work and weren’t afraid of failure.
American philosopher William James once said, “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.”
The boomers ran far and discovered not just their second wind, but third, fourth and fifth winds as well.
As we move forward in an age of convenience and instant gratification, let’s remember the lessons from our boomer friends.
Let’s embrace challenges, appreciate the simple things, and remember that resilience is built not in the absence of adversity but in our response to it.
So here’s to resilience – may we all find our multiple winds just as the boomers did.
