7 lessons from the '70s to stay chill today
7 lessons from the '70s to stay chill today
Sometimes, going backward can help you see ahead. And I just know I need some of that easy, peaceful '70s feeling to help me find a way forward now.
My early life lessons from the ‘70s to help avoid the freak out today and find a better way forward (for whatever it’s worth, as always):
1. Stay whimsical
Flowing hair and hemlines. Folksy, funky music. Bold colors and mismatched patterns. There’s something so human about whimsy. In the age of AI and bots, whimsy feels necessary in our automated, robotic world. And after half a lifetime spent in efficiency, time-management mode, I need it too. What’s more, I have the confidence again to let it flow, and not worry what others think. The same way I did as a very little kid in the ‘70s.
2. Balance natural with synthetic
The ‘70s had a natural-synthetic dichotomy. Planet earth and disco balls. Fresh-squeezed orange juice and “natural” tasting Tang. TV shows about life in space or back on the prairie. No, we can’t all live life on the frontier, in some romantic way.
We’ve got nearly 8 billion people in this world. Living in the 21st century means balancing these two. The natural world needs more attention, respect, and care. And synthetic solutions are needed to help manage our problems.
3. Accept contradiction
The ‘70s were filled with contradictions. Just take the palette that colored the decade.
For some, avocado green, harvest gold, and burnt orange meant celebrating the social changes taking hold as right and natural.
For others fearful of change, the colors were comforting them like a Norman Rockwell painting of a New England autumn long ago.
Or maybe the orangy-brown was so popular because it masked nicotine stains so well.
Contradiction is a part of life. People see what they want to see. They see things differently. And sometimes, it’s okay to just let it be.
4. Share the work
“Your mother isn’t here … so clean up after yourself.” Those signs were everywhere for a reason. Many boomer Mikes grew up with their moms waiting on them, and expected their wives to do the same, even when they were also working outside the home. That was so unfair. I remind myself of that when I catch myself doing for my kids what they should be doing for themselves.
5. Share the power
The real problem with the boomer generation was that a golden circle — mostly white, mostly male — was overrepresented in decision-making roles, lacked adequate checks and balances, and then got to set the standards. That wasn’t new. But the “equal opportunity” 70s told them they earned it all fair and square.
While others in difficult situations were told they “deserved” what they got. Sharing power is messier. But it’s fairer and more interesting. No one gets all the credit or all the blame. And in the end, self-worth shouldn’t come from having more power than someone else. And train tracks shouldn’t divide us into hierarchical grids.
6. Reach out and touch someone
Remember the old AT&T ad slogan? Long distance moves for college or jobs became common in the 70s. And long distance phone calls were an expensive luxury. Now we’re constantly in touch with everyone in our social bubble. But outside of that, the world has become more distant, more sterile, and more isolating.
There’s something magical about being around lots of different people, sharing space and connecting. It makes the world feel bigger and safer. It’s okay to talk to “strangers” — just keep your hands to yourself. But be there when someone needs a hug. Human touch is so important. Respecting boundaries is too. Communication and context are key to figuring out how to honor them.
7. Let hope shine through the doom
The ‘70s was a gloomy decade. My young mom of four got dirty looks at the grocery store given that the world was on the cusp of mass starvation. Many were preparing for catastrophe. You hear similar things today.
I’m old enough to know that expected bad things don’t always happen. And sometimes, good things happen, unexpectedly. Seeing the half-full side along with the half-empty seems like a wise thing to do—but it’s really tricky to see both sides at the same time. (Still working on this one.)
