So, Maybe Boomers Know Something After All?
Traditional values like slow living, sustainability, and community are trending for 2026. Maybe Boomers aren’t as out of touch as we thought!
For years the joke has been that Boomers just “don’t get it.” But something surprising is starting to happen among Millennials and Gen Zers. If the trends that are predicted for 2026 are an indicator, it seems the younger generations are quietly returning to traditional ways.
Maybe it’s because life has gotten too loud, too fast, and too exhausting, and they are looking for a way to turn it off. Or maybe it’s just that the old adage is true, and everything old is new again. Whatever the reason, Millennials and Gen Zers are rediscovering some of the following practices they once associated with “old people.”
Hands-On Skills
One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is an interest in activities that require using your hands for something other than scrolling. “Grandma hobbies” like crocheting, quilting, sewing, and baking (especially sourdough) have become hugely popular among the younger generations. Carpentry and woodworking, DIY remodeling and repairs, and gardening have also seen a big increase.
A return to things like hard copy books, vinyl records, film cameras, analog tech, and hand written letters could be an indication that young people are looking for more tactile experiences to offset the digital-first world they live in.
Slow Living
In 2026, Millennials and Gen Z are prioritizing:
- Screen breaks and digital boundaries. One trend that was surprising to me is a resurgence of interest in board games and puzzles. It seems we’re seeing a shift away from digital stimulation toward using your brain power.
- Flexible work that actually leaves room for life. Have you heard of “quietly quitting”? Young people today are returning to a work ethic that sticks to contracted hours and duties and rejects overtime and overwork. When you’re off at five, you’re off.
- Rest, mindfulness, and saying no without guilt. Multitasking is being replaced with practices like taking a sabbath, “slowcations” (longer, more relaxed stays at one destination), and meditation. It seems the culture is waking up to a truth we Boomers knew all along: you can’t run at full speed forever.
Value-Conscious Spending
Millenials and Gen Zers were taught to be mindful of their effect on the environment early on, and that hasn’t changed. They are leaning into “intentional consumerism,” favoring fewer, better-made items that will last over throw-away purchases.
They are also embracing thrift, resale, and secondhand shopping in a big way. Places like these are becoming the new go-to for finds like vintage clothes, household items, and decor.
In addition, young people are starting to see the enormous value in choosing repair over replacement. Sounds like the traditional values we Boomers were brought up with, doesn’t it?
Community
“Hyper-individualism” (self-interest above all, disregard for community, and weakened family ties – where “self” becomes an isolated unit) is giving way to something older—and honestly, healthier. Millennials and Gen Zers want neighbors again. They want support systems. They want to belong.
In their search for connection, young people are flocking to things like game nights (think Mahjong, Bunko, and Bridge), watch parties, and “IRL” (In Real Life) activities like golf, line dancing, and fitness classes.
They are seeking authenticity and real-world social interaction, and they’re finding it in family and community. Hmm. Kind of sounds like the good old days, doesn’t it?
Isn’t it exciting? Maybe the attitude will change a little from “Okay Boomer” to “What can we learn from you?” Maybe these trends we’re seeing could open up the door to a new kind of relationship between our generations, one where we can pass on what we know and learn from them in return.
Better start brushing up on my knitting skills…