We didn’t suddenly become lazy or greedy. Our environment was rebuilt around cars, chairs, and constant convenience, while food shifted from ingredients to products. Movement stopped being a natural part of the day and became something you had to schedule and “motivate” yourself to do. At the same time, cheap, ultra-processed snacks and drinks made it effortless to eat more than our bodies could handle, all day, without ever feeling truly satisfied.
Yet the story doesn’t have to end in resignation. You don’t need to recreate the 1970s; you only need to tilt your environment back in your favor. Walking short distances instead of driving, cooking simple meals, protecting meal times from screens, and letting boredom push you outside again are small, powerful acts of rebellion. Bit by bit, your surroundings can stop working against you—and start quietly healing you instead.
