It seems as if we’re all looking for ways to make our lives easier. We order our groceries online so we don’t have to go through the trouble of navigating the store aisles with a screaming toddler. It saves time, money and a little sanity. That’s a great example of using the convenience of technology.

Sometimes though, we choose convenience in cases that are more harmful than helpful. Maybe we stop for fast food for lunch every day. Or drive from our garage to the gym when it’s only a few blocks away. Or we text our kids to tell them to take out the trash instead of walking to their bedroom to tell them in person. 

These aren’t necessarily bad things to do every now and then, right? And it’s actually pretty cool that we have all these modern-day conveniences. 

I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few years though about how these conveniences have changed us and often wonder what my great grandparents might say if they saw how we were living today. They did a lot of things I would never dream of doing, thanks to advances in technology. They butchered their own chickens, churned their own butter and washed all their laundry by hand before hanging it on a clothesline to dry. I would wash our clothes by hand on a long camping or backpacking trip, but washing all the laundry our family produces on a weekly basis by hand? Never. I can barely get motivated to move the clean clothes from the washer to the dryer.

I think of them as being these strong, bad-ass people who made it through harsh winters and grueling summers working outside so that they could provide for themselves and their families. They were tough and the rates of chronic disease at that time was much lower than ours today.

Now, I’m not saying we should live exactly as older generations did, but I think there are a few conveniences we can limit that will make us healthier and maybe even help the planet in the long run. Here are a few that come to mind:

Grow your own food

My great grandparents had a huge garden, which required a lot of time and sweat. If you have the space for a garden, no matter how small, tending to a plant and watching it produce something edible is an amazing experience that helps us appreciate where our food comes from and how hard people work to grow all the food we find at the grocery store and farmer’s market. There is also nothing better than a homegrown tomato. 

Cook from scratch more often

Older generations didn’t have all the convenience food options we do today. They didn’t drive by Pizza Hut and Taco Bell on their daily commute, so they never had the temptation and ease of picking up a quick meal. Cooking is a skill that many people weren’t taught growing up and one of the reasons why so many rely on fast food more than they’d like. If you don’t feel equipped to cook something, it’s time to take a class, start watching YouTube videos or invite a friend to teach you. If time is an issue, prepping over the weekend is a great way to get a jump on your weeknight meals. Cooking at home saves you money and can save a ton of calories. 

Make your own Lunchable

If you’re packing Lunchables every day for your kids, they’re not only eating a lot of processed foods, they are creating so much more waste than necessary. Instead of purchasing the pre-made kind, make your own Lunchable. Need some ideas? Check this out.

Keep your thermostat at a reasonable setting

Imagine getting through the summers and winters in Kansas without central air. Older generations did it and somehow survived. We are so accustomed to regulating our temperatures because every building we walk into feels comfortable.  

Do yourself a favor and set your thermostat a little higher in the summer and lower in the winter than you’re accustomed to. Our bodies have tremendous capacity to overcome unease, but if we rarely find ourselves shivering in the cold or sweating in the heat, it makes us less capable to meet the demands of extreme temperatures when we are exposed to them. 

Another perk of getting a little uncomfortable? How much more you appreciate a campfire in 40 degree weather or how a slight breeze cools you when it’s 95. 

Want to learn more about why it’s a good idea to be cold in the winter? Read about it here. 

Repair torn clothes and buy quality items

We live in a disposable society, where when something breaks, we throw it away rather than fix it. So much of our clothing is cheaply made and so easily replaced. Small tears can be easily sewn and YouTube can teach us how to repair all kinds of other things. 

Instead of buying a cheap item of clothing that will only last a few months, look for higher quality brands that you can wear for years. You’ll spend a little more up front, but you’ll save a ton of time shopping and will reduce waste. I realized the other day that a Columbia fleece jacket I still wear almost daily in the cooler months is at least 7 years old. Thanks for that reminder, Facebook Memories. It’s still in great condition, and a classic enough style, it might be around for 7 more!

An even better idea is to shop for high quality brands at consignment and thrift stores. You’ll get a great deal and still have items that will last. Read more about the effects of buying ALL the clothes here. 

Park farther away and take the stairs

My great grandparents stayed lean and fit because they were working their tails off to provide for their families. Their lives had movement and work built in naturally. For us, getting in a little more exercise each day doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or starting a running routine. Little changes to your every day actions can add up to some major long-term results. 

Walk or ride a bicycle to local destinations

Whether it’s hot, cold, a little rainy or windy, get outside and use your legs to get to the places you need to go. Obviously, this isn’t always possible, but small errands to the bank or library do not require an SUV. If this seems impossible, read this article about kids riding their bikes to school in the snow. 

Build or craft something

Just about anything you need can be purchased, but investing your time and skills in creating something offers so much more of a sense of accomplishment than clicking the Buy Now button. Build yourself a piece of furniture or reuse old clothes to make a quilt. Then enjoy your handiwork for years to come!

These are just a few things we can do to get back to doing things in a way that is better for us! Just because something is convenient, doesn’t make it right. And in many cases, a little extra effort helps us appreciate what we have and offers rewards we don’t often get when opting for the more convenient path.