Not everything about the old days was better. However, when I read biographies and histories from previous centuries, I see something in those lives that isn’t as common today. Maybe it’s because they lived in hard times that they had to develop inner strength in order to survive and thrive, while today, for many people, life is much easier.
To some extent, it’s possible to have the best of both the old and the new worlds. We can enjoy the relative convenience, security, and prosperity of our modern age and work hard to cultivate old-fashioned habits that still serve us well.
Even today, we all face trials of different kinds. We fail to see our goals achieved, we or our loved ones struggle with health, or we wrestle with existential questions about the purpose and meaning of our lives.
7 Habits of Old That Create Inner Strength
The practices I offer aren’t glamorous and don’t get much hype on social media. They’re more like quiet rhythms that make your life richer and more substantial, but they’re as important as ever.1. Rise Early–Before the Sun
I am not a natural early riser, in fact, only recently have I committed to getting up before 7 a.m. It’s too early in the practice for me to claim a permanent victory, but there is something motivating about getting a jump on the day. The momentum makes me feel stronger and propels me toward action.2. Daily Physical Labor
Today, most people get their exercise in an air-conditioned gym or, at best, by running miles along a sidewalk. Not so long ago, the vast majority of exercise came from labor. There’s something nostalgic, gritty, and appealing about work that makes you sweat. While the gym is a clean, ordered environment, the real world is messy and uncertain. That kind of labor makes you stronger in everyday life.3. Keep Promises–Even Small Ones
Many of us seem to have this image of ourselves as ordinary people who will undoubtedly rise to the grand challenges before us someday, but that’s not how things work. The people you can count on in emergencies or big opportunities are those who have been diligently preparing all along. In the same way, an honest person prepares for those moments when it really counts by refusing to break even the smallest of promises.4. Practice a Frugal Lifestyle
While we live in an age of relative abundance, there are certain moral values from thrift that we still ought to pursue. For example, when you live with a sense of boundaries and limits with your resources, it forces you to be more aware of them and more grateful for what you have. Being frugal also makes you more resourceful, which is itself a type of strength. When you always have more than you need, you don’t have to care about those sorts of things.5. Pray Regularly
Readers of my writing will know that my faith is a big part of my life. I’m open about the fact that I would love for everyone to share that joy. There are, of course, other ways to mimic similar practices to prayer, such as meditation and general gratitude. However, in my experience, there’s something particularly strengthening about having your gratitude and pleas for help directed toward a being who knows and loves you.6. Do Unpleasant Work Without Complaint
We live in a more emotional age than previous generations, and I don’t know if that’s altogether a bad thing. I’m glad to share the inner thoughts of those I spend the most time with, and I’m grateful that people are freer to share their complicated emotions. However, there is a time and a place for that, and when it comes to hard work, complaining only makes it worse. There is something to be said about approaching difficult things with a stiff upper lip and only letting your guard down to a few people that you trust the most.7. Living With Hospitality
In the past, hospitality was driven just as much by need as by pleasure. People depended upon other people in ways that we don’t have to today, because of our wealth and our safety nets. Again, these are things I’m glad exist, and at the same time, I recognize they come with the loss of other things I value. It is good and wholesome that we see ourselves as dependent upon one another. Dependence builds trust and camaraderie among individuals and is the foundation of much of what we love. This kind of community makes us stronger and more resilient in hard times.History teaches us that developing inner strength often stems from consistently practicing a handful of purposeful habits.
