Baby Boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964) grew up during a time that required them to learn lots of life skills to get by. Without the technology and digital benefits available for younger generations today, they had to be resourceful. Turns out, this resourcefulness is something that Gen Z (those born 1997 to 2012) envies. According to a survey by Resume Builder, Gen Z is flocking to learn trade skills, with 42% of Gen Z is currently pursuing or working in a blue collar job. This shift has earned Gen Z the nickname “the toolbelt generation.” Boomers over 70 shared the seemingly “useless” life skills they learned growing up that are rarely used today on the Reddit thread r/OverSeventy. These are 20 life skills they are most proud of. The 20 skills they still know by heart “Back in the day most everyone knew how to sew even if just to hem pants or darn a sock. I remember my mom’s sewing machine that was used to repair clothes.” – LMO_TheBeginning “Being able to read and write cursive.” – AdRevolutionary1780 “Use paper bags to cover school books. It was amazing!” – PixiePower65 “I still own a manual transmission car. I seem to recall there was a time that was a requirement when getting your driver’s license. Maybe not but I’ve pretty much always had at least one manual transmission car in my household. Having a car that’s a stick shift is almost like a theft deterrent these days because nobody knows how to drive them anymore.” – LMO_TheBeginningOP, After-Temperature638 “I can make almost any food from scratch- tortillas, crackers, candy, yogurt, bread, desserts, gravy, frosting. It’s natural for me but people are always shocked.” – Ok_Second8665 “Gregg Shorthand diamond jubilee edition.” – ActiveOutrageous9533 @learn.gregg.shorthand How to write “December” in Gregg shorthand with @MtCrafte @Post-It #handwriting #shorthand #journal #calligraphy #fyp ♬ Jingle Bells Swing – Peaceful Reveries The ones that involve real navigation “Map reading. I was the last person in my circle to start using maps on my phone. It’s infuriating. I have recently gone back to using paper maps. Interestingly, some incorrectly believe that people who have aphantasia (can not voluntarily visualize) can not read maps. I am an aphant and almost became a cartographer.” – msmicroracer, mabbh130 “Parallel parking without a rear camera.” – PalmOilduCongo “Canning. I homecan pretty much anything and have it come out just lovely…and it lasts for YEARS. handy because I grow all the vegetables and chickens we used too.” – SpitefulGramma “Proofreading and editing. And writing without AI!” Quirky_kind, SmileSagely_8worms “I darned a ski sock that was super comfortable and pricey. I couldn’t bear throwing it away and I couldn’t bear throwing money away on another. Some life skills are just so necessary. I still have a sewing machine from the 90’s. I need to pull that out and practice hemming my jeans :).” – CApeaches “Use a slide rule to solve arithmetic and math problems.” – Mjmcd929 “My first job was at a fast food restaurant and when I worked the drive thru I collected cash and had to figure out their change in my head. There was a calculator available but it sped things up if you could do the math in your head. I was pretty good at doing quick and accurate cash math. Now that everything is on cards, it has become a useless skill.” – Acrobatic_Ranger248 @zerowastecartel Save your socks from the landfill and yourself some money by mending instead of tossing them! #sustainableliving #sustainablelifestyle #lifehack #clothinghack #sewingtip #ecolife ♬ Peace – Official Sound Studio “Mounting an iron tire on a wooden wagon wheel. I thought I was set for life when I learned. Turned out I had to get another job.” – Smart-Difficulty-454 “When I was a kid my mom tried to teach me how to iron a shirt. I never used it to this day my reaction to ironing is ‘iron?, what’s that?'” – sashmii “Social graces, how to set a formal table, make a flower arrangement, place cards, fold a napkin, which utensil to use for different dishes, which glasses get used for what. How to sit, talk, stand, and speak like a lady. I learned all of that in Home Economics before I was in 8th grade.” – greenexitsign10 “Phone book fastest first competitions.” – GeekOlive “Using a Linotype machine and setting the galleys of type for print using wax. We would sometimes cut out and replace one letter if something was misspelled. Also using a graphic arts camera to create a halftone from a photograph so it would be printed on a press. Lots of graphic design skills which are no longer needed.” – elsadancesinthesky “All the cut-and-paste and darkroom skills that went into putting together the daily newspaper. Knowing points, picas and agates and being able to calculate a percentage for enlargement or reduction on the fly. Once the floors started to vibrate from the press rolling up we could all take a moment to breathe. Damn, I miss it all.” – DM_Pidey “Starting a campfire with one match and no paper. Pitching a heavy canvas tent. Using a 2 person hand saw. Cooking over a campfire. Sewing an invisible hem by hand. Using a drop spindle. Starting a car by pushing it or rolling it down a hill and popping the clutch.” – bombyx440 What's a skill you're proud of that society now sees as useless? byu/LMO_TheBeginning inOverSeventy Why these skills still matter today There’s something quietly remarkable about this list. These aren’t skills people learned because they had to memorize them for a test. They learned them because life required it. Whether it’s starting a fire with one match, calculating change in their head, or setting type on a Linotype machine, these are the kinds of competencies that came from doing, not watching. And maybe that’s exactly why Gen Z, the so-called toolbelt generation, is circling back. Some things are just worth knowing with your hands. This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated. The post Boomers share 20 life skills they’re proud they learned but are rarely used today appeared first on Upworthy.

10-year-old Savannah Solis knew she had to do something. Per KHOUN, the girl from Tyler, Texas had heard the tragic news that two local police officers in New York had been murdered. The news, all the way back in 2015, brought her to tears. Solis knew that, as a kid, there wasn’t much she could do to stop the bad guys or make the world safer. But she dreamed of one day being a police officer herself and being able to help. As a 5-year-old, Solis says her mother had a heart attack and the first person to arrive and offer help was a police officer. She never forgot that officer’s kindness and bravery. Savannah’s mom, Debbie, recalled the immense love and support the girl had for police officers all over the world. Inspired and mesmerized by their line of duty, she hoped and wished only the best for each of them. “We would drive by and see them stopping somebody and in the backseat she would pray, asking God to take care of them,” the mom recounted. Police officers have a difficult and dangerous job. Photo credit: Canva In the meantime, she wanted the heroes in her own community to know that she cared. So she decided to write personal letters. Hundreds of them. What she put in each letter Her letters had two words recurring each time, “Thank you.” Furthermore, the girl explained as best as she could what their service meant to her and how grateful she was to them for saving lives. During her Christmas break, the girl went all out making these letters and posting them—she even delivered a few personally to police departments all over Texas. “You are my heroes. I want to say don’t stop, please don’t give up. Many do not care or appreciate the sacrifices you make every day. But I do,” the girl remarked. Savannah added a note of inspiration which read, “Many are standing with me today to let you know that you matter. Officers across Texas, you matter to me. Officers in New York City, you matter to me. Officers all across America, you matter to me. Please keep taking care of us.” One of Solis’ deliveries was caught on video, per KXAN, where officers were moved to tears by her gesture. She went about taking autographs of as many officers as she could. Debbie noted that her daughter didn’t want celebrity or artist autographs but those of the cops. All the officers are seen shaking hands and getting teary-eyed as they read the cards colored and highlighted with the title, “My hero.” The officers couldn’t hold back tears Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo felt proud of the girl’s gesture and of the fact that their role was so valued in someone’s eyes. “The words she spoke from her heart touched every single officer. I noticed everyone was trying to blink back tears. That’s what it’s all about. She is an old soul. She knows the right thing to say and I don’t think she even realizes the impact of her words on these officers and this department,” she remarked. She never stopped sending the cards That was 10 years ago. As Solis grew up, she continued her personal outreach to police officers all over the country, letting them know that their bravery was appreciated. View this post on Instagram She visited a precinct in Manchester, New Hampshire as recently in 2021 where she brought cards to the officers, met the K9 dogs, and was introduced to the police horses as well. Commenters were blown away that Solis was continuing the gesture after so many years. “Savanna. Officers need that inspiration with everything going on today. You’re remarkable for doing this.” “Amazing young lady right, thank you Savannah I appreciate all your efforts to show your appreciation for our men, woman, dogs and horses in blue” “What an amazing young woman thank you for sharing this post and thank you for your service to our city. And all the law enforcement officers all over the Country.” Bravo, Savannah! This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated. The post 10-year-old girl walks into police station and brings officers to tears with 2 simple words appeared first on Upworthy.

Have you ever spent time in a backyard that felt like a natural oasis? An outdoor space that combines the wild beauty of the natural world with the aesthetic touch of human design? What if that space wasn’t just beautiful, but also easy to maintain and helpful to the environment? In Southern California, a mother-daughter design team is leading the way, teaching the public and their clients how to transform ordinary outdoor areas into extraordinary plant sanctuaries. Their backyard project exemplifies how, after a century of rampant urbanization (deforestation, invasive species, paving paradise and putting up a parking lot) we’re finally coming back to our roots. In a viral TikTok video, Donna and Caitlin Whelan demonstrate how they created a “lush habitat garden” out of an ordinary backyard. It’s captured the hearts of green-thumbed viewers and offers an inside look into the process of eco-friendly landscaping. @whelandesignhouse ♬ Birds Sound – Calming Bird Sounds Environmentally respectful choices Donna and Caitlin run Whelan Design House, a boutique interior design firm that specializes in high-end projects. Drawing on their combined talents and impeccable taste, this mother-daughter team creates beautiful living spaces with a human-centered approach. Their commitment to healthy environments shines through in their design philosophy. As they state on their website, “Our world is full of synthetic materials, but we believe there are other options. We guide our clients toward sustainable and environmentally respectful choices and away from chemical-laden fabrics and unhealthy materials.” Which brings us to their viral backyard renovation. This was more than just a design project: it’s a masterclass in the power of family bonds and environmental innovation. The 18-part video begins with a plain, unremarkable yard. “This is how it looked when we started,” they write. “The grass wasn’t providing anything for the local [ecosystem], and it required way too much water to maintain.” An answer to the ‘perfect lawn’ problem America has a “perfect lawn” problem. Dreams of white picket fences and a manicured lawn have driven the country into a “green, monoculture carpet,” and our human-dominated landscape is no longer equipped to support functional ecosystems. Like everything else in life, our front lawns do not exist in a vacuum. Everything, from the trees to the flowers to the grass to the soil, all work harmoniously to create a thriving home for insects, birds, and other wild creatures. But when native species are replaced with alien ones, these exotic plants disrupt the flow of life, wreaking havoc and degrading the natural habitat. Grass is nice, but not nice for the environment. Photo credit: Canva So, Donna and Caitlin tore it up. All of it. They removed the neatly cut grass and trees from unknown origins. Ripped up swaths of concrete (“concrete suffocates the soil, preventing the growth of microbes that are essential for healthy soil,” they write). California’s natural beauty Once the land was returned to ground zero, Caitlin and Donna got to work, replacing the non-native species with ones that were suited to the environment. “Native plants are adapted to the timing of the seasons, harshness of the weather, and water availability of the particular area they evolved within,” describes Defenders of Wildlife, a premier U.S.-based conservation organization. “They are also typically adapted to surviving local pests and, therefore, do not need chemical pesticides.” So, the dynamic duo began anew, carefully planning and selecting the right plants. They chose drought-tolerant flora that was either native to the area or regionally appropriate, like the wattle-leaf acacia, whose delicate yellow blooms and fern-like leaves added a wonderful splash of splendor to the landscape. Plus, it’s known for its resiliency and minimal water needs, an especially crucial component in Southern California, where droughts are unfortunately quite commonplace. The orange-hued apricot mallow, another star of their garden, brings another pop of color and radiance and attracts butterflies to the space. “The flowers smell like honey,” write the Whelans. A native plant garden can be colorful, even in desert areas. Photo credit: Canva Art meets nature Beyond the lush wildlife, the mother-daughter team also drew upon their impressive art experiences to design the garden of their dreams. They installed a lovely wooden bench, shaded beneath a Palo Verde tree. Small tables that look like sculptures dot the yard. Rustic Saltillo tiles, made of gorgeous terracotta, were used to create a mosaic patio floor. Suddenly, everything clicked. The resulting space is nothing short of awe-inspiring: truly one with nature. Comments flooded in, with viewers praising Donna and Caitlin for their work. “You created your own slice of paradise while considering the wildlife and native plant species. I’m in awe,” someone wrote. “Thank you for planting native plants in CA, it’s so helpful. So many people buy houses here and plant non-native plants,” another user replied. Their viral TikTok even motivated some to rethink their own backyards. “My house is also a small older Spanish-style with a big backyard,” writes another. “This just inspired me to take action. Even my patio is just like yours, it’s coming down now lol.” Change is always possible There are countless ways to incorporate native vegetation into your life, whether you have sprawling acres or a simple, small plot out front. For those interested in following in the Whelans’ footsteps, here’s what you need to know about starting your own native plant oasis: Take stock Before planning your beautiful new garden, examine your surroundings and evaluate what makes this particular area special and unique. How much sun does the yard typically get? Does it snow here? What’s the elevation like? Is the soil drainage poor? Research, research, research This is a great excuse for an excursion and to explore your local surroundings! Find a park near you with native plants or a botanical garden. Really get to know your local ecosystem. Every region has its own personality and specific native plants that are meant to thrive there. The fun part: Shopping spree Find a nursery that specializes in native plants. And be curious! Ask questions, like “Where did this plant come from?” “Do I need to fertilize it?” “What soil and soil pH is best?” To create a native plant garden is to become a steward of the land, and the more information you know, the better. Don’t stress Caitlin and Donna are professionals. You don’t need to transform your entire backyard overnight. Start small, beginning with just a section of the garden. This will take time. In fact, the Whelans note, “patience is incredibly important. The beauty of [the garden] reached new depths with time and only time.” By choosing native plants and working with nature rather than against it, the Whelans remind us that environmental stewardship is always possible, and can even start in your own backyard. With some careful planning, the correct plants, and an eye for design, anyone can take a step towards contributing to a natural, thriving ecosystem. This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated. The post Mom and daughter transformed a boring backyard into a beautiful native plant paradise appeared first on Upworthy.

The late, great Robin Williams once beautifully said, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.” One night at a comedy club in Los Angeles, a new, nervous stand-up comic was called to the stage by the emcee. In one hand, she casually had a beer that she propped up on the piano. In the other, was her notebook full of scribbled, half-written joke premises and a few wine stains. She did her opening joke, and the response was so quiet, she could hear the ice machine crackling in the kitchen. Joke two, a slight spattering of nervous laughter. Joke three got a heartier laugh, but then it went back to deafening quiet by joke four. View this post on Instagram She mercifully got through her final joke and said, “That’s my time,” long before the red light in the back of the club even went on. She scurried off stage with her beer not unlike that rat in New York scurrying across a sidewalk carrying a piece of pizza. Panicked, embarrassed, and, frankly, a little hungry. It wasn’t going well It was just one of those nights. The last time she’d done this act, with nearly the exact same jokes, she’d received an applause break. This time, she was left questioning every one of her life decisions. Why had she come to Los Angeles? How was the next month’s rent supposed to get paid? Why had she cut her hair in the “Rachel” haircut? As she was about to enter the hallway that led into the bar area, she could feel actual tears forming behind her eyes, like little faucets that were slowly turning on. “Don’t cry at the comedy club,” she told herself. Rather, “Don’t cry at the comedy club AGAIN.” But as the tears came anyway, she looked up and lo and behold, there was Robin Williams. She stuttered, “You. Are. One of my favorites. Ever.” He looked at her, his blue eyes warmly crinkling, and said, “You were amazing.” It hadn’t been true. But the fact that he would go out of his way to make this total stranger’s awful night into one of her best at that time was just the kind of person Robin was. I know this because that woman was me. I wanted to tell him about the Mork and Mindy poster on my wall as a kid, and how I had cut out Mindy’s face and put in my third-grade class photo. I wanted to tell him how much I loved his care for animals, the unhoused, and the less fortunate. Or that because of him, I had a weird fetish for suspenders. (The last one wasn’t quite true, but I still wanted to say it.) But instead, I merely laughed and said, “Oh, thank you. But I can do better.” He gave me a gentle look like, “We’re all in this together,” and even though I knew I’d never have a career like his, it dawned on me that it didn’t matter. That being kind to others actually DID matter, and that he was a lighthouse in a really stormy, pitch-black ocean. She wouldn’t let one bad night ruin her hope I stuck it out, and just a few years later, got to perform in the super cool, coveted “New Faces” show at the Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Fest. Didn’t kill there either, but I was able to step back and look down from an aerial view. How we uplift others, whether through laughter or kindness, is really the only control we have in this world. “You’re only given a little spark of madness. If you lose that, you’re nothing.”Robin Williams often repeated that line in his stand-up and interviews, reflecting his belief that creativity, individuality, and a little weirdness are worth holding on to. pic.twitter.com/oxrLXs4IcR— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) June 23, 2026 Years later, after Robin passed away, I had heart surgery and was feeling down. I had read that cardiac issues could leave a person biochemically depressed, and the first person I thought of was him. I messaged our mutual friend from San Francisco and asked if he remembered Robin speaking to him about heart surgery and depression. He only affirmed that yes, it was a very real side effect and that I should take it seriously. I have always thought of the neurotransmitter Serotonin like it was a flowery perfume. Notes of honey, lavender, rose. When someone has a good amount of it floating through their synapses, it leaves a trace of itself wherever it goes, as if the tunnels it burrows under pump it out through a steam grate. But from what I’ve heard, Robin struggled with that too. And yet he still found a way to leave a lovely and inviting scent behind him, because he wanted to make sure OTHERS were okay. How he stayed kind through the darkness I had always wondered how he did that. Bouts of darkness plagued him like clouds moving around ever-so-slightly, revealing sunnier days and then BAM – gone again. And yet, he was able to stay gentle and unwaveringly kind, like a jester throwing glitter into a black hole. He seemed to see beyond the nonsense, pure love radiating from him (especially around animals.) I guess, even in his death, I was looking to Robin for answers. But one puzzle remains solved: making others happy is the kindest thing we can do, even when our own valves, whether heart or perfume pumps, fail to work. This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated. The post Robin Williams saw a struggling comedian bomb on stage. He knew exactly what to say to her. appeared first on Upworthy.

When you grow up with a parent who has a job that makes them very well known in the community, you might also become a bit of a celebrity. Jordyn Hicks’ dad, Sean Elliot, played in the NBA and now serves as an announcer for the San Antonio Spurs. When Jordyn attends games, the camera frequently pans to her, and he shares sweet messages about his baby girl. On Father’s Day, Jordyn shared a compilation video of her dad as he captured big moments in her life, from her engagement to her marriage to Chicago Bears Safety Elijah Hicks to the birth of her son, along with a beautiful dedication. “I’m constantly told by the people of San Antonio how comforting it is to hear your voice calling the games each week. If only I could explain to them how lucky I feel to have had that same voice comfort me through life’s lows and ground me through its highs. I’m so grateful to experience a father’s love like yours,” Jordyn wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jordyn (@jor.hicks) Jordyn Hicks Shared an Equally Sweet Message to Her Husband Jordyn Hicks couldn’t forget her husband and the father of her child on Father’s Day. “Watching this back and reflecting on all of our different chapters, I can confidently say that parenthood with you has been my favorite one by far. You put 110% into everything you do, and seeing that play out in your new role as Dada is everything. Elliott will be able to do anything with a dad like you right beside him,” Jordyn added. Her words touched fans who thanked her for sharing the sweet post. “’Maybe soon I’ll be a grandpa’ next shot is with their son,” someone wrote. “How sweet he was waiting.” This person knew just how Jordyn Hicks felt. “Girl my dad is a pastor and he get yo and tell his congregation all of my business all the time. At least your dad does it in cute ways,” they wrote. “All I do is cry about strangers on this app,” reads the most relatable comment on the post. This story’s featured image can be found here