Disclaimer: Devoted Grandma is reader-supported. If you purchase anything through my site, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you.
There comes a point in life—somewhere between raising families, managing careers, and learning how to slow our pacewhen we realize something important: life didn’t always feel this hurried. Even on busy days, there used to be a softness to living. We laughed more easily. We lingered longer. We enjoyed things fully, without guilt or distraction.
Many of us grew up in a time when pleasure didn’t require planning, apps, or upgrades. We didn’t chase joy; we noticed it.
This year, instead of always reaching forward, what if we gently reached back? Not to live in the past, but to reclaim some of the simple pleasures that once made everyday life feel rich and comforting.
Settling In With Old TV Shows That Feel Like Old Friends
There was a time when television shows were events. We planned our evenings around them. We sat down on time. We watched from beginning to end without scrolling or multitasking.
Rewatching classic shows now feels like being welcomed by familiar voices and stories that never rushed us.
Some favorites many North American grandmas still love include:
- The Golden Girls – Warm, witty, and deeply comforting, reminding us that friendship only grows more meaningful with age
- Little House on the Prairie – Gentle lessons about family, resilience, and love
- I Love Lucy – Timeless humor that still makes us laugh out loud
- Murder, She Wrote – Cozy mysteries led by a woman who trusted her instincts
- Family Ties – Family conversations that feel familiar, funny, and heartfelt
Where to watch them today:
Many of these shows can be found on Peacock, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, and other classic-TV streaming services. Some still air regularly on cable channels devoted to older programming.
There’s something soothing about watching a show when you already know how it ends. It allows you to relax into the moment instead of waiting for the next surprise.
Enjoying Old-Fashioned Drinks We Rarely Make Anymore
We didn’t grow up with endless drink menus or specialty coffee orders. Many of our favorite drinks were homemade and enjoyed slowly.
This year, consider bringing back:
- A thick milkshake made with real ice cream
- Homemade lemonade, slightly tart and not too sweet
- Hot cocoa stirred slowly on the stove
- An afternoon cup of tea, simply because it’s afternoon
These drinks encouraged us to pause. To sit. To enjoy the moment instead of rushing through it. Sometimes slowing down starts with what we choose to sip.
Cooking the Comfort Foods That Once Filled Our Homes
Some foods carry memories in every bite. The smell alone can take us back decades.
Think about the meals we grew up with or cooked when our children were small:
- Meatloaf with mashed potatoes
- Tuna or chicken casserole
- Pot roast is simmering all afternoon
- Banana bread made from overripe bananas
- Grilled cheese paired with tomato soup
These meals weren’t fancy, but they were filling, physically and emotionally. Cooking them again isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about recreating that sense of home we didn’t realize we missed.
And if a grandchild happens to wander into the kitchen while it’s cooking, that familiar smell may become a memory for them too.
Watching Commercials Without Reaching for the Remote
Believe it or not, commercials used to be part of the fun.
They had jingles we still remember. Faces we recognized. Products we trusted.
Many old commercials are easy to find online today, and watching them can be surprisingly delightful. They remind us of a time when everything felt slower and more familiar, and when not every moment was rushed or skipped.
Sitting Outside and Letting Time Pass
We used to sit outside just to sit.
On porches. On steps. In lawn chairs. Watching the day move along without feeling the need to fill the silence.
This year, try bringing that habit back. Sit outside with a cup of coffee or tea. Watch birds. Notice the breeze. Let your thoughts wander without fixing them.
Doing nothing is not wasted time. It’s rest, and it’s something we’ve earned.
Calling Someone Instead of Texting
We used to hear each other’s voices more often. Tone mattered. Pauses mattered. Laughter mattered.
Try calling someone this year just because they crossed your mind. No announcement. No special reason. Just a genuine check-in.
A short phone call can still feel more meaningful than days of back-and-forth messages.
Wearing Clothes That Feel Like You
Somewhere along the way, many of us started dressing for errands instead of ourselves.
Revisiting this pleasure means choosing:
- Soft fabrics
- Familiar favorites
- Clothes that don’t pinch, pull, or demand attention
Feeling comfortable in what we wear can quietly change how we move through the day. Comfort is not giving up, it’s settling in.
Doing Hobbies Without Needing to Be Good at Them
We once did things simply because we enjoyed them, not because we were productive or impressive.
Knitting. Gardening. Puzzles. Crosswords. Painting. Baking for no reason at all.
This year, give yourself permission to be wonderfully average at something again. Joy doesn’t require talent. It only asks that we show up.
Treating Dessert Like an Occasion Again
Dessert used to be special.
A slice of pie on a plate. A scoop of ice cream in a bowl. A cookie with a glass of milk, enjoyed slowly, not rushed.
Try sitting down for dessert again. No standing at the counter. No distractions. Small rituals still matter.
A Gentle Reminder for This Year
Revisiting forgotten pleasures isn’t about wishing for yesterday. It’s about remembering who we were before everything became so demanding, and inviting some of that gentleness back into our lives.
We don’t need to keep up.
We don’t need to prove anything.
We don’t need permission to enjoy simple things.
And when our grandkids see us enjoying old shows, homemade treats, quiet evenings, and unrushed moments, they learn something important too: joy doesn’t have to be complicated.
Sometimes, the best way forward is to lovingly look back, and carry a few good things with us. 💛
