I didn’t understand these 7 simple pleasures—until I saw how much boomers cherish them

I’ll be honest—there are plenty of little things boomers seem to love that I used to brush off as outdated or unnecessary.

But the more I’ve slowed down and noticed how much joy they get from these everyday moments, the more I’ve realized they were onto something.

We live in a time where everything is optimized, digitalized, and speed-tested. The faster, the better.

But in the race to streamline life, a lot of us (myself included) have lost sight of the small, grounding joys that actually make a day feel rich.

Here are seven simple pleasures I didn’t really understand until I saw how much they matter to boomers.

1. Sitting down with a real newspaper or book

I used to think grabbing headlines from my phone was more than enough. Why bother with a bulky newspaper or a paperback when you can get instant updates on everything?

But boomers treat sitting down with print as more than just information—it’s a ritual. The rustle of paper, the smell of ink, the slower pace… it’s grounding in a way I didn’t appreciate until I tried it myself.

Today, most of us skim articles between texts and app notifications. We’re reading more, but we’re absorbing less.

Psychologists have found that comprehension is better when reading in print versus digital formats—print readers tend to reread key parts and show stronger understanding.

Now, when I swap my phone for a paperback on a quiet Sunday morning, I finally get what they’ve been cherishing all along.

2. Taking an unhurried walk without a destination

For most of my life, walking meant efficiency: getting to the store, squeezing in exercise, or catching a podcast while moving from one place to another.

The idea of walking just for the sake of it felt…well, like a waste of time.

But boomers have a way of savoring the kind of stroll where you’re not trying to get anywhere.

No step-count goals. No playlist in your ears. Just walking—observing the houses, the trees, the way the air smells after rain.

It’s almost jarring how rare this feels now. We’re so conditioned to multitask that simply existing in motion without an agenda can feel uncomfortable at first.

But here’s the thing: that very discomfort is a sign of how much we need it.

Research backs this up. A Stanford study found that people generated 60% more creative ideas when walking compared to sitting.

Unstructured walking doesn’t just ease stress—it sparks creativity.

3. Writing a letter or card by hand

I used to roll my eyes when my mom would sit at the table with a stack of stationery, carefully writing birthday cards or notes “just because.”

Why not text, call, or send an email? Faster, easier, done.

But the more I’ve seen boomers hold onto this ritual, the more I’ve come to understand its quiet magic.

There’s something about the physical act of putting pen to paper that slows your thoughts down. You choose your words more carefully. You think about the person in a way that feels intentional, not rushed.

And when you’re the one receiving a handwritten note? It’s different.

You hold onto it longer than a text. Sometimes you tuck it in a drawer, or tape it to the fridge. It lingers in a way that digital communication never does.

A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that handwriting activates broader and more interconnected brain networks than typing, particularly in regions tied to memory and sensory processing.

In other words, handwriting isn’t just nostalgic—it’s neurologically richer.

4. Lingering over a home-cooked meal at the table

I’ll admit, I’ve eaten more dinners in front of a screen than I’d like to count. Convenience often wins—frozen meals, takeout, or standing at the counter with a plate in one hand and my phone in the other.

But boomers seem to have a different rhythm. For them, a home-cooked meal isn’t just about food—it’s about slowing down and making the meal itself an event.

Sitting at the table, passing dishes, talking between bites—it creates a sense of pause that’s almost radical today.

There’s evidence that eating without distractions helps people notice hunger and fullness cues, supporting digestion and portion awareness.

A systematic review in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that distraction during meals tends to increase food intake compared to focused attention.

But beyond the health benefits, there’s something deeply human about it. Sharing food and conversation at the table turns an ordinary evening into a memory.

5. Listening to music without doing anything else

When was the last time you put on music and just…listened? Not while cooking, cleaning, driving, or working out. Just listening.

Boomers often describe sitting with an album, maybe even on vinyl, and giving it their full attention. And honestly, it’s a pleasure I never understood until I tried it.

The act of listening deeply—hearing the lyrics, noticing the layers of instruments, letting the mood wash over you—is rare in a world where music is background noise.

Psychologists suggest that focused music listening can reduce stress and support mood regulation, functioning much like meditation.

A 2022 meta-analysis in PLOS ONE confirmed that music listening is linked with positive effects on psychological stress outcomes.

Now, when I set aside time to really listen, it feels like I’m giving myself a reset button. It’s not just entertainment—it’s immersion.

6. Browsing a local shop just to see what’s there

Most of us shop online now. We know what we want, we search, click, and it shows up at the door. Efficient, yes—but also kind of hollow.

Boomers often talk about the joy of “going into town” to browse. Not necessarily to buy, but to wander aisles, flip through records, or chat with the shop owner.

It’s not about the transaction—it’s about the experience.

The first time I let myself stroll through a used bookstore with no agenda, I got it. I found a book I didn’t know I wanted, but more than that, I felt a little spark of discovery that scrolling Amazon never gives me.

There’s something restorative about allowing yourself to wander without a goal. It shifts the experience of shopping from a task to a small adventure.

7. Watching the sunset like it’s an event

This one always felt a little corny to me. Growing up, I’d see older relatives stop whatever they were doing just to look out at the sky. I didn’t get it.

But the first time I actually stood still to watch a sunset unfold, I realized it’s not about the sky—it’s about presence.

For ten or fifteen minutes, the world slows down. Colors shift, the light softens, and you remember how much beauty exists outside the noise of daily life.

Boomers don’t see this as wasted time. They see it as one of the purest joys available. And maybe that’s why it feels so powerful—it’s ordinary, but it demands attention.

I’ve started treating sunsets like appointments I don’t want to miss. Every time I do, I walk away calmer, lighter, and more connected.

Final thoughts

Looking back, I realize these simple pleasures aren’t about being old-fashioned—they’re about being fully present.

Boomers may not have had the constant pull of screens and endless notifications, but what they held onto has something to teach us: life feels richer when we slow down and notice it.

The beauty of these seven little joys is that they don’t cost much. You don’t need fancy tools or hours of free time.

You just need a willingness to pause. Whether it’s writing a note by hand, watching the sky change colors, or wandering without purpose, these are invitations to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.

It also reminded me of something I read recently in Rudá Iandê’s book, Laughing in the Face of Chaos. One line that stayed with me was:

“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’s exactly what these small joys are about. Not perfection, not productivity—just presence.

Maybe that’s what boomers have been showing us all along: happiness isn’t hidden in big milestones, but in everyday moments we often overlook.