Now I’d do it with a PIC because I have the current knowledge, skills and tools set up to do it that way. On solderless breadboard, I can do a blinky in under 10 minutes including programming from scratch.
From about 15 to 40 years ago I would’ve used a 555. In the mid 70s I knew the pinouts, schematics, rule of thumb values and equations off the top of my head. I could’ve breadboarded a 555 in a similar time. Unfortunately, I don't have quite the photographic memory I once had for the 555!
(I replenished my 555 stock about fifteen years ago, but I really don’t think I’ve ever using any of them).