7 Forgotten Habits From the 80s That Definitely Need to Make a Comeback in 2025

Ah, the 1980s.

I know some folks like to poke fun at the big hair, shoulder pads, and synth-heavy pop music—but I remember the decade a little differently.

It was a time when people called each other just to chat. When neighbors actually knew one another. When you didn’t need ten apps and a smartwatch just to get through the day.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I love plenty about the modern world. I’ve got grandkids who are teaching me how to use emojis properly (I’m told the thumbs-up is out, apparently).

But I think there are some habits from the ’80s that, frankly, we’d be better off bringing back.

These weren’t trends. They were just ways of living—simpler, saner, and in many ways, more grounded.

So today, I want to revisit seven habits from that era that we’ve somehow let slip away… and make the case for why 2025 might be the perfect time to bring them back.

Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane—and maybe pick up a few things we left behind.

1. Taking real walks 

Remember when a walk was just a walk?

No podcasts, no music, no checking messages every few blocks. Just you, your thoughts, and whatever the world had to show you that day.

2. Eating meals together without screens

Every evening in the 80s, families would gather around the dinner table for what felt like a sacred ritual. No television blaring in the background, no phones (because they were attached to the wall), just conversation, food, and each other.

I’ll admit, when my kids were young, these dinners could be chaotic. Someone always complained about the vegetables, and getting everyone to sit still felt like herding cats. But looking back, those messy moments were where real connection happened.

Again research seems to vote in favor of this ritual. Shared meals are said to contribute to lower risks of childhood depression, substance use and eating disorders.

Try instituting one screen-free meal a day. Start small, maybe just fifteen minutes. You might be surprised by what your family actually has to say when they’re not distracted.

3. Going to bed…without screens

Back in the 80s, we didn’t have much choice but to wind down when the sun set. Sure, we had television, but programming actually ended at some point, leaving us with little option but to read a book or simply go to sleep.

I remember those evenings felt naturally restful. There was something about following our body’s ancient rhythms that just made sense.

Now we fight our biology with bright screens right up until we collapse into bed, wondering why we can’t fall asleep. Experts note that using electronic devices before bedtime can interfere with sleep quality due to the blue light they emit.

Try putting your devices away an hour before bed. Light a candle, read something that actually relaxes you, or just sit quietly with your thoughts.

4. Learning to wait for what we want

This is a big one. 

Back then, waiting was just part of life.

You waited for your photos to be developed, saved up for months to buy that album you wanted, and if you missed your favorite TV show, well, tough luck until the reruns.

I remember teaching my kids to save their allowance for something special they wanted. It could take weeks, sometimes months, but the anticipation made getting it so much sweeter.

Today’s instant everything has robbed us of that satisfaction. We’ve forgotten that anticipation can be half the pleasure.

Try bringing back some intentional waiting into your life. It might just remind you what true satisfaction feels like.

5. Having deep conversations without googling the answer

Remember those dinner party debates about whether that actor was in two movies or three? Or trying to recall the name of that song from 1975?

Instead of immediately reaching for our phones, we’d actually talk it through, share stories, and sometimes never find the answer—and that was perfectly fine.

Those conversations had a different quality to them. They wandered into unexpected territories, sparked memories, and brought people closer together through shared uncertainty.

There was something beautiful about not knowing everything instantly. It forced us to really listen to each other’s perspectives and experiences. We’d say things like, “I think it was…” or “My cousin once told me…” and those stories became part of the fabric of the evening.

Now we kill mystery within seconds, and with it, we often kill the conversation itself.

Try having one discussion this week where you resist the urge to fact-check immediately. Let the uncertainty linger and see where the conversation takes you instead.

6. Spending time alone without entertainment

Saturday afternoons in the 80s often meant stretches of genuine boredom. No endless scroll of content, no streaming services, no immediate entertainment at our fingertips.

Sometimes you’d just sit on the porch or lie on your bed, staring at the ceiling.

I used to think those moments were wasted time. Now I realize they were when my mind did its most important work—processing, dreaming, and making sense of things.

Boredom isn’t the enemy—it’s the space where creativity and self-reflection live. Those unstimulated moments are where you actually get to meet yourself.

7. Making plans and sticking to them

Before cell phones, when you made plans to meet someone at 7 PM at the corner of Main and First, you showed up.

There was no texting “running 15 minutes late” or “let’s reschedule for tomorrow.” Your word meant something because changing plans required actual effort.

This created a different relationship with commitment and reliability. People planned more thoughtfully because they knew they’d have to follow through.

I notice how casual we’ve become with our promises to each other. Plans shift constantly, people ghost last minute, and somehow we’ve normalized this lack of dependability.

But there’s something powerful about being someone others can count on. It builds trust, creates stability in relationships, and honestly, it makes life less chaotic for everyone involved.

Is it time to bring back what actually worked?

Looking back at these habits, I’m struck by how they all share something in common: they required us to be present, patient, and genuinely connected to ourselves and others.

We didn’t abandon these practices because they didn’t work—we lost them in the rush toward convenience and instant gratification. But convenience isn’t always better, and instant isn’t always satisfying.

The 80s weren’t perfect, but they got some fundamental things right about what it means to be human.

What’s stopping us from getting them right again?

Credit: www.experteditor.com.au