Simple Gen X habits like gardening, walking, and dinner parties are making a quiet comeback—and redefining what “old money” energy really means today.
It’s funny how the everyday routines of one generation become the quiet luxuries of another.
We live at full speed — constant updates, new tech, endless to-do lists. Yet lately, the simple things Gen X once did without fanfare are slipping back into style: weekend tennis, home-cooked dinners, browsing a dusty bookstore, reading an actual newspaper with your morning coffee.
These habits weren’t about status back then — and maybe that’s exactly why they feel so appealing now.
They embody the ease, restraint, and confidence we’ve come to call “old money” energy — a kind of quiet sophistication that whispers instead of shouts.
They slow time down. They remind us of rhythm, presence, and living with intention instead of noise.
As someone who finds calm in gardening and clarity on long walks, I get it. These aren’t trends. They’re anchors.
Here are seven pastimes Gen X once saw as ordinary that now quietly radiate that effortless “old money” energy.
1. Tennis on the weekends
When I was growing up, tennis wasn’t glamorous. It was just something families did on weekends at the local park — faded rackets, chain-link fences, and sunburns from staying out too long.
Now, the game has become shorthand for refinement. Crisp whites, vintage rackets, and a calm, controlled confidence. It’s not about showing off; it’s about showing balance.
That’s the beauty of tennis — it isn’t loud. It’s rhythm, ritual, and grace in motion.
2. Hosting real dinner parties
Remember when having people over didn’t require a theme or an Instagram-ready table? You’d light a few candles, open a bottle of wine, and talk until the dishes went cold.
These days, that kind of hospitality feels rare. With so many of our interactions happening online, cooking for friends has become something richer — a quiet rebellion against isolation.
It’s not about perfection or presentation. It’s about presence. Sitting across from people you love, sharing stories, and remembering what connection feels like.
3. Collecting vinyl or first-edition books
Before everything went digital, everyone had shelves — books, records, maybe a box of cassettes. It wasn’t an aesthetic choice; it was just part of life.
Now, those collections have taken on new meaning. They signal patience, curiosity, and depth.
Flipping through vinyl or rereading a classic reminds us that good things take time — and that meaning doesn’t come from speed, but from attention.
In a world obsessed with streaming and decluttering, holding something physical feels grounding. It’s a small reminder that permanence still has value.
4. Gardening
I started gardening a few years ago to get away from my laptop. I thought it would be a quick hobby. Instead, it became a mirror for how I live my life.
Gardening doesn’t let you rush. You can’t force growth or control the outcome. You have to trust the process, tend what you can, and accept that some things bloom while others fade.
It turns out there’s science behind the peace it brings. Studies have reported an overall positive impact of gardening activities on several measures of mental well-being, quality of life, and health status.
So maybe it’s not just a soothing pastime — maybe it’s therapy disguised as dirt.
That rhythm — slow, steady, real — is part of why this pastime feels so grounding. It’s not just about flowers. It’s about cultivating patience and presence in a world that constantly demands productivity.
5. Reading the morning paper
My dad used to sit at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee and the newspaper spread open. I never understood it back then — why spend twenty quiet minutes reading when the day was already waiting?
Now I get it. Reading something printed feels like reclaiming focus. There’s no endless scroll, no alerts. Just you, the words, and your own thoughts.
Rudá Iandê writes in his book Laughing in the Face of Chaos, “When we let go of the need to be perfect, we free ourselves to live fully—embracing the mess, complexity, and richness of a life that’s delightfully real.”
That quote stuck with me. It reminded me that presence, not perfection, is what gives life texture. Reading the news quietly — coffee in hand — is one small way to practice that.
6. Taking walks for the sake of walking
Do you remember when walking wasn’t a “wellness routine”? People used to stroll just to clear their heads. No earbuds. No step goals. Just movement and thought.
Now, that kind of walk feels almost rebellious. When you leave your phone behind, the noise quiets. You notice things again — the way the air smells after rain, how your mind starts to untangle itself.
There’s solid research behind it: a Stanford study found that people produced, on average, 60 percent more creative ideas when walking compared to sitting. That boost happened whether they walked indoors or outdoors.
It’s proof that peace doesn’t need to be planned. Sometimes, it’s just a slow walk with nowhere particular to be.
7. Antiquing and estate browsing
As a kid, I dreaded antique stores. My mom loved them; I thought they were dusty and boring. She’d see beauty in a chipped dish or a faded portrait, while I saw clutter.
Now, I see what she saw. Antiquing isn’t about buying — it’s about appreciating what lasts. It’s the opposite of fast fashion and disposable trends. Each piece carries history and craftsmanship, a reminder that care leaves a mark.
There’s something quietly powerful about choosing objects that have already stood the test of time. It’s not about owning more — it’s about valuing what endures.
Final thoughts
Maybe what we’re craving isn’t luxury — it’s peace. These Gen X pastimes — tennis, gardening, collecting, walking — remind us that refinement isn’t about wealth or image.
It’s about rhythm, attention, and the confidence to live at your own pace.
We spend so much of life trying to keep up. But what if sophistication isn’t about being ahead — it’s about being here?
Maybe “old money” energy has nothing to do with privilege at all. Maybe it’s about the freedom to move through the world quietly, to savor what lasts, and to choose meaning over motion.
Because in the end, elegance isn’t about what you own. It’s about how deeply you live.
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