Remember Where You Came From: How Cultivating Skills of the Past Helps Today

Remembering what you’ve gone through, the hardships and the successes, combined with the skills you learned from your parents and grandparents can help when you face obstacles today. You could think of these skills as ‘hand-me-downs’. Just as you cherish having Grandma’s apron, or grandpa’s toolbox, these skills are as beneficial in today’s life as they were yesterday. 

Listen in and learn more about yesterday’s skills, and how Grandma and Grandpa did their own blend of simple life and prepping!

Transcript

Hi, and welcome back to the porch. Pull up a rocker and settle in while we visit for a bit. I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversations on how living a simple life can work well with a prepping lifestyle. But as I thought more about it, I began to wonder about how our grandparents seemed to live just that type of lifestyle – but never labeled it as either simple life or prepping. Instead, it was just the way they lived. 

The Country Boy has a favorite saying. “Never forget where you came from.” He told that to his children as they were growing up and reminds them of it even now that they are adults with children of their own. He reminds me as well, when I am at a crossroads in life.

His point? Remembering what you’ve gone through, the hardships and the successes, combined with the skills you learned from your parents and grandparents can help when you face obstacles today. You could think of these skills as ‘hand-me-downs’. Just as you cherish having Grandma’s apron, or grandpa’s toolbox, these skills are as beneficial in today’s life as they were yesterday. 

As I was thinking about this, I wondered how our grandparents managed to accomplish all they did without many of the conveniences we have today. And I realized something. I think we’ve all gotten a little caught up in the fast pace of modern life. With everything at our fingertips - whether it's through technology or the endless stream of services that promise to make our lives easier - sometimes we forget how much we used to do ourselves. 

It wasn’t that long ago when people knew how to handle a lot of things without relying on someone else. Sure, life was a bit harder back then, but there’s still something about the satisfaction of knowing you’ve figured things out on your own that’s hard to beat.

Let’s go back in time for a moment, and think about the world our grandparents or great-grandparents lived in. It was a world that required people to be self-reliant. For the most part, people had to grow their own food, fix what was broken, and be resourceful with what they had. 

But, as time has passed, so much of that knowledge has been lost, or become obsolete. When was the last time you used a paper map to get you where you needed to go? More than likely, you couldn’t even find a map if you wanted to use it. Instead, you use GPS or even do a search on MapQuest or Google Maps. But what happens when you’re lost or stranded, and there is no signal? That paper map or knowing how to use a compass would come in pretty handy right about then.

In today’s world, we buy what we need, throw things away when they break, and rely on fast food and technology to get us through the day. We've traded simplicity for convenience. And truthfully, I do love and appreciate some of those conveniences – I am especially attached to my washing machine that cleans my clothes in minutes, compared to the long back breaking days of washing them by hand or down in the creek. But still, I think we’ve missed out on something along the way.

There’s real value in stepping back and remembering where we came from. When we look at the old-fashioned skills that kept our ancestors afloat, we start to see how they’re still just as relevant today. Whether it's being able to patch up a leaky roof, bake a loaf of bread from scratch, or grow a garden, these skills are a cornerstone of living a simple, meaningful life.

You may think I’m a bit off-base here, but let’s talk about why it could actually be beneficial to bring some of these skills back into our own lives.

1.     First off, old-fashioned skills promote sustainability. Take gardening, for example. Growing your own food means you’re less reliant on the grocery store, and you have control over what goes into your food. You know exactly where it came from and how it was grown. Not only that, but by using heirloom seeds, you can begin to master the skill of saving seeds – which can be a very economical thing.

2.     And it’s not just about food, either. Repurposing old clothes, fixing things that break instead of throwing them out, and even making homemade cleaning products – these are all sustainable habits that help reduce waste and minimize our carbon footprint.

3.     Then there is the Self-Sufficiency aspect. A big part of the beauty of old-fashioned skills is the self-sufficiency they foster. Let’s be honest: life is unpredictable. Things can break, food prices can rise, and unexpected circumstances can pop up. But when you know how to do things like can your own food or make your own soap, you don’t have to wait for someone else to come fix it. You’ve got the tools, the knowledge, and the ability to handle it yourself. And that’s a powerful thing.

4.     Next, it gives us a chance to slow down and step away from some of the chaos. I think we can all agree that life today is busy. Too busy, in fact. Technology keeps us constantly connected, and sometimes it feels like we’re always on the go. But these old-fashioned skills? They require time and patience. There’s no shortcut to growing a garden, knitting a scarf, or making bread. These skills bring us back to the present moment, making us slow down and truly appreciate the process. 

5.     Then there is the health aspect. It took strength, dexterity, and coordination for our ancestors to accomplish their daily tasks. And many of the things they did took place outside in the fresh air. Rather than getting in a car to go to work, they stepped outside to their ‘office’. They walked the area to forage for food (aerobic activity), hoed the garden (muscle development), lifted, toted, pulled, and pushed (strength building).

Consequently, their bodies were healthier and learned to adapt to the seasons better and quicker. But all of this activity also helped to improve their mind through better motor skills, hand/eye coordination, and awareness of their surroundings. 

6.     And don’t overlook the creative benefit. To keep our brains and bodies active, we need a good challenge. In today’s world, we spend much of our time going through the motions. We do what is expected of us – our jobs, caring for our families, cleaning our homes, and running errands. But at the end of the day, we often feel too tired to do much of anything else. We may also find ourselves empty, as if we haven’t truly accomplished anything of value. 

Our minds and bodies are begging to be challenged. Challenging ourselves creatively is one of the most beneficial things we can do. 

When we challenge ourselves creatively, we often find a new way to think, build our confidence levels, and learn both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. That will lead us to rediscovering our creative voice. And this voice allows you to add personality to what you are doing or making. 

So, now that we know why these skills matter, let’s talk about some practical ones you can start learning today.

1.     Gardening is a big one. Whether you have a backyard or just a windowsill, you can start small. Planting herbs, tomatoes, or even some lettuce can make a huge difference in your life. Not only does it provide fresh, healthy food, but there’s something deeply satisfying about watching something you’ve planted grow. And just so you know, there is something our grandparents used in the past to help their gardens grow, which we’ll talk more about next week. So be sure you’re on the porch to learn more about it.

2.     Once your garden starts producing, you’ll need a way to preserve that bounty. Canning, preserving, and dehydrating are wonderful ways to save food for the future. Imagine spreading homemade strawberry jam made from the strawberries you picked last summer on a slice of warm homemade bread. Or think about having a pantry full of beans, tomatoes, and other vegetables you preserved, rather than going to the grocery store to buy them. And don’t worry - you don’t need to be an expert to start; just begin with a few simple recipes and go from there. Jam and salsa are very easy to make and can.

3.     There’s a certain joy in making meals from scratch. Not only is it healthier, but it also connects you to the food in a way that simply whipping up a meal from a box can’t. Bread, soups, sauces – these are all things that are easy to make and often taste better than anything you can buy.

You may be asking why having these skills would matter in the grand scheme of things. As we look to the future, I think it’s important to ask ourselves: What kind of life do we want to live? Do we want to keep racing forward, focusing only on the next big thing, or do we want to create a life that feels grounded and intentional? The skills of the past have a way of slowing us down and reconnecting us to what really matters – our homes, our families, and the earth beneath our feet.

When we cultivate old-fashioned skills, we’re not just preparing for emergencies or hard times – we’re enriching our lives. These skills help us feel more connected to our surroundings, our loved ones, and our communities. They give us a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency that’s hard to find in today’s technology-driven world. And they remind us that, no matter what the future brings, we can handle it with creativity, resilience, and a little bit of know-how.

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. I hope this episode has inspired you to think about the skills from the past that can help you live more simply today. And if has, be sure to email me at thevirtualporch@gmail.com. I would love to hear your perspective on things. 

I’ve always been fascinated with these ‘old fashioned skills’ and even wrote a book about them, called “How to Cook a Possum”. If you want to learn more about yesterday’s skills, you can find it on Amazon!  

And be sure to stick around. This month we’ll talk a bit more about a few specific old-fashioned skills you can learn how to do yourself! Until then, take a deep breath, slow down, and savor the simple moments.

If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life, just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . If you’re enjoying listening to these podcasts, please consider supporting the show by clicking the SUPPORT button in the show notes. When you do, you’ll be helping me continue bringing you fun and helpful ideas for living the Simple Life you love!

And be sure to subscribe – you don’t want to miss a single conversation. I'll be sitting on the porch every Monday morning waiting for your visit!

Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.