Ever notice how some people who grew up in the 1960s and 70s just seem tougher mentally? I’m talking about those folks who can handle life’s curveballs without falling apart, who don’t need constant validation, and who just… get things done.
IMO, it’s wild how many of these strengths are kinda rare today, especially with all the social media pressure and instant gratification we live in.
I’ve spent a lot of time chatting with older relatives and friends, reading up on psychology, and honestly, I’ve realized that the way people grew up back then shaped some mental habits we could all use a little more of.
So, let’s break down 7 mental strengths people raised in the 60s and 70s had that are rare today, and why they matter.
1) High Frustration Tolerance
If you grew up in the 60s or 70s, you probably didn’t have smartphones, Wi-Fi, or instant answers at your fingertips. Frustration was basically a daily companion. Missed the bus? Tough luck. Broken toy? Fix it yourself or deal with it.
This constant exposure to minor annoyances taught people patience under pressure and the ability to stay calm when things didn’t go their way. Today, a lot of people expect life to move at the speed of a swipe or a click, so even small delays can feel catastrophic.
- Example from real life: My uncle once spent hours fixing a jammed typewriter because that’s what you did if you wanted it to work. No YouTube tutorial, no Google—just grit.
- Takeaway: This high frustration tolerance built mental resilience. People learned to tolerate discomfort without losing their cool.
I honestly think this explains why older generations often handle stressful situations better—they’re trained to stick with problems until they’re solved.
2) Independence Without Needing Applause
Growing up back then, validation didn’t come from likes or followers—it came from your own actions and integrity. People developed internal motivation, meaning they did things because they believed in them, not for praise.
This isn’t just “being introverted”; it’s a mental strength that keeps you grounded. They didn’t rely on external recognition to feel capable.
- They mowed their lawns, fixed their bikes, or started side projects because it needed to be done.
- They were comfortable with being alone or doing things behind the scenes.
I personally find this inspiring. FYI, in today’s world, so many people chase applause that they forget the value of just getting things done quietly and efficiently.
3) A Practical Relationship With Emotions
Here’s the thing: people raised in the 60s and 70s didn’t grow up in an era that encouraged constant emotional expression. That doesn’t mean they were emotionally stunted—they just had a practical approach to feelings.
- If you were sad, you acknowledged it and moved on.
- If you were angry, you learned to channel it into action instead of just venting.
This gave them a mental edge. They could feel emotions without letting those emotions run the show.
- Personal insight: I’ve noticed older friends can listen to bad news or stressful updates without panicking—they process, then act. That’s a skill many people today struggle with because we live in a constant feedback loop of emotional spikes.
Bottom line: They managed emotions like tools, not chains, which allowed them to think clearly and make better decisions.
4) Social Confidence Built Through Real-World Practice
Kids from the 60s and 70s spent way more time playing outside, exploring, and interacting face-to-face. There were no online chat rooms or group texts to build social skills; if you wanted friends, you had to engage in person.
- They learned to read body language, handle rejection, and resolve conflicts directly.
- They became socially confident not through theory, but through real-world practice.
IMO, this is a huge difference from today’s digital-first generation. Many teens now navigate friendships mainly online, which means they miss out on developing deep, practical social confidence.
Takeaway: Confidence wasn’t earned through followers—it was earned by showing up, interacting, and sometimes getting scraped knees along the way.
5) A Strong “Make Do” Mindset
Growing up in the 60s and 70s often meant less disposable everything. Toys broke, appliances failed, and families couldn’t always replace them immediately. People learned to make do and improvise.
- Fix a leaking faucet with duct tape.
- Patch clothes instead of buying new ones.
- Build solutions from whatever materials were on hand.
This “make do” mindset fostered creativity, problem-solving, and resourcefulness.
I love this part personally because it shows how constraints can build strength. Today, convenience is everywhere, which means people rarely have to innovate on the fly.
Pro tip: Try doing a small “make do” project yourself—like repairing something instead of tossing it. You’ll get a taste of that mental muscle!
6) Patience for Long Timelines
Back then, instant results were rare. Want a new skill? Practice for months. Need a promotion? Work your way up slowly. Dreams took time, effort, and perseverance.
This taught a mental patience that’s tough to find today. We live in an era where waiting more than a few minutes feels intolerable.
- Older generations could stick with projects or careers for years without burning out.
- They understood that meaningful results are rarely instant.
Personally, I admire this patience. It’s one of those strengths that makes someone reliable and steady—traits that get overlooked in a culture obsessed with fast wins.
7) A Grounded Sense of Identity (Less Performance, More Substance)
Finally, and maybe most importantly, people raised in the 60s and 70s often had a grounded sense of identity. They weren’t defined by likes, shares, or external validation.
- They knew who they were and what mattered to them.
- Their sense of self came from values, skills, and personal responsibility, not performance metrics or social comparison.
This is a huge mental strength. It keeps people resilient to criticism, focused on long-term goals, and less likely to be derailed by trends or fads.
IMO, this is probably the hardest strength for younger generations to cultivate today because of constant online comparison and pressure to perform.
Conclusion
So there you have it—7 mental strengths that people raised in the 1960s and 70s developed that are rare today:
- High frustration tolerance
- Independence without needing applause
- A practical relationship with emotions
- Social confidence built through real-world practice
- A strong “make do” mindset
- Patience for long timelines
- A grounded sense of identity
Honestly, I think these strengths explain a lot about why older generations often seem calmer, more resilient, and more capable of handling life’s ups and downs. There’s a lot we can learn from them, even if our world is faster, digital, and more connected than ever.
Final thought: Next time you face a frustrating moment, a long-term challenge, or a tricky social situation, try channeling a bit of that 60s-and-70s mental toughness. IMO, you’ll be surprised at how much it helps.
