When old ideas become new again

It’s Saturday morning. Your alarm clock wakes you up. You listen to your record player, make coffee with a percolator, and sit at your sewing machine. This may sound old-fashioned, but many people are doing these things again today.

Modern life is very fast. People want everything to be quick and easy. Phones, apps, and online services help us save time. However, more people are now choosing to slow down. Old habits are returning and becoming part of everyday life again.

Travel is one clear example. Long train journeys are becoming popular again. In 2027, the famous Orient Express train will return. Instead of rushing through crowded airports, some travellers enjoy slow, comfortable trips. They like the views, the space, and the relaxed feeling of train travel.

Music habits are also changing. Vinyl records are popular again, especially with young people. Listening to records feels special and more personal. People enjoy holding the record, looking at the cover, and listening to the whole album, not just streaming one song online.

People are also repairing things instead of throwing them away. A UK survey shows that 50% of people repaired something in the past year. In 2020, this number was only 25%. Online videos help people learn how to fix clothes, furniture, and other items at home.

These trends show that life does not always need to be faster. Sometimes, looking back can help us live better today.

When old ideas become new again

It’s Saturday morning. Your alarm clock wakes you up. You put a record on, fill the percolator, then sit down at your sewing machine. It may sound like a scene from another era, but moments like this are quietly returning to everyday life. In a world often obsessed with speed, innovation, and convenience, many “new” trends we see are older habits, quietly finding a place in modern life again.

Take travel. Long train journeys across the continent may sound like something from another age, yet the famous Orient Express is set to return in 2027. At a time when fast flights and crowded airports dominate, slower and more comfortable ways of travelling are attracting renewed interest. What once seemed outdated now feels thoughtful and even luxurious.

A similar shift can be seen in the way people consume music. Vinyl records are enjoying a strong comeback, particularly among younger generations. In an age of streaming and instant access, physical media offers something different: a sense of ownership, visual design, and a more intentional listening experience. Convenience is no longer the only priority.

There is also a clear return to repairing rather than replacing. A recent UK survey showed that 50% of people had repaired something in the past year, compared with just 25% in 2020. Online tutorials and videos have made practical skills easier to learn, encouraging people to take pleasure in fixing clothes, furniture, and everyday objects instead of throwing them away.

Together, these trends suggest that progress does not always mean moving forward at speed. Sometimes, it means looking back — and choosing what still works.

When old ideas become new again

It's Saturday morning. Your alarm clock wakes you up. You put a record on, fill the percolator, and sit down at your sewing machine. This scene may feel like it belongs to a bygone era, yet moments like this are quietly reappearing in everyday life. In a world that often celebrates speed, innovation, and constant convenience, many of today's "new" trends are, in fact, rediscoveries of older ways of living.

Travel offers a clear example. Long-distance train journeys across continents may once have seemed outdated, but interest in them is growing again. The long-awaited return of the famous Orient Express in 2027 reflects this shift. While low-cost flights and crowded airports still dominate modern travel, a growing number of people are drawn to slower, more comfortable alternatives. Train travel offers space, scenery, and time to think — qualities that are now perceived as luxurious rather than inefficient. What was once dismissed as impractical is increasingly seen as a thoughtful choice.

A similar change can be observed in how people consume music. Vinyl records are enjoying a strong revival, particularly among younger generations, who grew up with streaming services at hand. In contrast to instant access and algorithm-driven playlists, vinyl offers a more deliberate experience. Listeners engage with album artwork, play music from start to finish, and develop a stronger sense of ownership. For many, the ritual matters as much as the sound itself.

This return to older values is also evident in attitudes towards repair. Instead of replacing broken items, more people are choosing to fix them. A recent UK survey found that 50% of people had repaired something in the past year, compared with just 25% in 2020. Online tutorials have made practical skills more accessible, while concerns about waste and sustainability have encouraged people to take pride in repairing clothes, furniture, and everyday objects.

Taken together, these trends call into question the idea that progress must always be future-focused. Sometimes, moving forward means slowing down — and recognising that some older habits still serve us remarkably well.

Now answer the questions in the Comprehension section.

Comprehension: Check your understanding

Choose the best option.

Interview: Listen to more about the topic

Think about your answers to the following questions. Then listen to somebody answering the same questions. Were your answers similar?  

• Do you have any old machines or gadgets in your home that you still use?
• What do you think about the trend of repairing things instead of replacing them?
• Have you noticed any old habits or trends coming back into fashion?
• Do you prefer slower, more deliberate experiences or fast, convenient ones?
• What older habits or practices do you think are still valuable today?