There’s something inherently satisfying about performing retro chores. Yep, you heard me right!

The monotony of folding clothes or scrubbing the bathroom tiles that our parents grumbled about in the 70s somehow now has a therapeutic appeal.

You see, these everyday tasks, once seen as tedious, are now sparking bouts of nostalgia and mindfulness. Instead of rushing through chores, I bet many of us even look forward to them.

So, I’ve jotted down a list of 8 classic 70s chores we now find curiously calming. And you might just be surprised by which ones made the cut!

1) Washing dishes by hand

Most of us can remember, as kids, cringing with the idea of having to wash dishes by hand.

You see, back in the 70s, dishwashers weren’t as common as they are today. So, every meal was followed up by a soapy session at the kitchen sink. Pots, pans, plates and cutlery, every piece had to be carefully scrubbed and rinsed.

But, stick with me here, there’s a certain meditative quality about washing dishes by hand.

The warm water running over your hands, the rhythm of rubbing the sponge on the plate, the satisfying squeak of clean glass – all create a mindful moment amidst our modern, fast-paced lives.

It might sound surprising, but hand washing dishes has made a comeback, not merely as a chore, but a chance for relaxation and reflection. A mundane act from the 70s proving to be rather therapeutic in today’s world.

Be sure to give it a try, you might just surprise yourself by how much you enjoy it.

2) Hanging laundry to dry

Now this is a task that was quite common back in the 70s, and it’s one that I’ve personally found to be quite cathartic.

As a child, I can recall watching my mother hang clothes out on the line in our backyard. Every shirt, every pair of pants, hung up meticulously, as if it were a ritual.

Fast forward to today, and with a convenient dryer at my disposal, I found myself missing this simple act. So, one sunny day, I decided to give it a go, and, to my surprise, I felt an unusual calming effect.

The breeze gently ruffling the clothes, the sun warming my back, the careful act of securing each garment with a clothespin; it all became an unexpected moment of peace.

Now, I find myself regularly taking a break from the humdrum of life to hang up laundry. It’s my chance to reconnect with the moment, to listen to the birds chirp, and to catch a breath of fresh air. A seemingly dull chore from the 70s, bringing a slice of tranquility into the roaring 2020s!

3) Using a typewriter

Before the era of personal computers and laptops, typewriters were the primary tool for putting thoughts to paper.

The distinctive clacking of the keys and the ding of the carriage return were sounds that defined the 70s.

But with the advancement of technology, this “chore” of typing letters and documents on a bulky, mechanical machine was pushed into obsolescence.

But guess what? Typewriters are experiencing a surprising resurgence among writers and enthusiasts who value the tactile and auditory feedback these machines offer.

Known as “typosphere,” this growing community advocates for the focus and intentionality required by typing on a typewriter, which allows for a deep connection with the words being written.

Not to mention, the lack of internet distraction is a big plus, allowing the mind to stay in the creative realm without interruption.

Indeed, the therapeutic value of typing on a good-old-fashioned typewriter is not to be underestimated. This 70s chore is now a pathway for reconnecting with the written word in a more intentional and meditative way.

Who knew.

4) Manual lawn mowing

Bear with me on this one. Pushing a huge, heavy lawn mower around, especially during the hot summer days of the 70’s was no picnic. It was hard work, a sweaty chore that everyone tried to wriggle out of.

Yet, you’d be surprised how therapeutic it has become now.

You see, manual lawn mowing makes you slow down, break a sweat, and connect with the nature around you. As you push the mower over the grass, you can’t escape the scent of freshly cut grass, the soft rustling sounds, the birds chirping.

Suddenly, you’re not just mowing the lawn, you’re engaging your senses, working your body, and fostering a connection with the great outdoors.

Yes, it’s hard work. But it’s also rewarding. The visible results you get after a session of manual lawn-mowing bring about a sense of tangible achievement. This ’70s chore is the perfect combo of outdoor workout, mindfulness, and satisfaction.

5) Handwritten letters

Let me take you back to a time when expressing our feelings wasn’t through quick texts or emojis, but through handwritten letters. In the 70s, letters were the main mode of long-distance communication.

But nowadays, we’ve lost the beautiful art of writing letters in the age of instant messaging.

Now, there’s nothing quite as heartwarming as picking up a pen and a piece of paper and pouring your thoughts onto it. The careful crafting of words, the thrill of getting your emotions down just right, the soft scratch of the pen, it’s therapeutic to say the least.

It’s more than just writing, it’s about connecting – with your thoughts, your feelings, and the person you’re writing to. The anticipation of waiting for a response, that feeling of joy when you see a letter in your mailbox, it’s an experience texting can’t quite match.

This might be a ‘boring’ chore of the 70s, but the emotional bond a handwritten note forms is nothing short of therapeutic. Let’s bring back this heartfelt practice and re-experience the sincere joy of slow, authentic communication.

6) Making homemade bread

There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of homemade bread.

Back in the 70s before store-bought sliced bread was all the rage, making bread was a necessary task in many households, mine included.

But what I truly treasure about this age-old chore is the ritual it is. The feel of the dough beneath my fingers, the precision in measuring out the ingredients, the magic of seeing the yeast make the dough rise, every step is an intimacy shared with the bread.

Sure, it’s tasking and time-consuming but it’s meditative too. It’s a chance for me to slow down, take a step back from my fast-paced life, and immerse myself in an act that’s so grounding and real.

Oh, and biting into a piece of bread that I have made from scratch, that’s a joy nothing could top. It’s more than a 70s chore – it’s a celebration of simplicity, patience and a bite of delicious accomplishment. It’s oddly therapeutic in its own beautiful way.

7) Sweeping with a broom

Now, hear me out on this one. Most of us have likely transitioned to the convenience of using vacuum cleaners. However, there’s something about the ’70s chore of manual sweeping that actually seems to be striking a chord in our modern-day rush.

Using a traditional broom and dustpan might seem outdated, yet the rhythm and simplicity of sweeping your own living space can feel incredibly grounding.

Instead of the whirring of a vacuum cleaner, all you hear is the gentle swishing sound of the broom. The repetitive movement can turn into a form of meditation, giving you a moment of calm amidst your hectic schedule.

Moreover, it gets you to physically engage with the spaces you live in, instilling a sense of gratitude and ownership for your surroundings that a quick swipe with a vacuum just doesn’t offer.

A chore from the 70s? Yes. Oddly therapeutic? Absolutely.

8) Home canning

This might just be the ultimate ’70s chore. Home canning fell out of favor as store shelves filled up with canned goods, but, believe it or not, it’s making a comeback.

This task, often seen as a necessity back in the day, is rediscovered more like a hobby these days, offering therapeutic value.

At its core, canning is about preserving and savoring each moment, quite literally. Like someone sealing a jar full of summer as salsa to enjoy during those winter months, it’s a reminder of the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life.

But more than that, it’s empowering to know exactly what goes into your food. Plus, there’s something truly satisfying about seeing row upon row of colorful jars filled with fruits and veggies from your garden.

Canning may be a chore of the ’70s, but its lessons on patience, mindfulness and gratitude are timeless. And honestly, isn’t that the best kind of therapy there is?

Embracing the therapeutic

Bottom line: our very ordinary and mundane routines have the potential to offer extraordinary emotional gifts.

In a world obsessed with pace, convenience and multi-tasking, it appears we’re rediscovering the gift of slowing down, being present and embracing simplicity – all characterized in the ’70s chores we now find therapeutic.

Many of us find an odd tranquility in household activities that require our focus and humble our pace. Whether it’s the methodical kneading of bread dough, the rhythmic swish of a traditional broom, or the tactile joy of typing on a vintage typewriter.

Each of these activities had a place in our grandparent’s everyday life, where there possibly wasn’t anything philosophical about them – they were just chores. Yet, here we are: different times, different challenges, finding solace in the simplest of tasks.

Maybe the ’70s were on to something we’ve taken a while to grasp. We live in a world full of noise and haste, and sometimes, the key to inner calm might just be found in undertaking a task that allows you to connect, to slow down, and to reaffirm the art of being present. In the end, isn’t that what true therapy is about?