10 Things I Really Miss About The 90s

I had the random thought the other day of how weird it is to have been born in the year 1990. We were at the CUSP. We had literally zero internet days, we were also there for dial up internet days and then the Motorola Razr came into play and then quickly the iPhone changed e v e r y t h i n g. Now I have noticed just how much the world has changed and how much I miss things in the 90s. Here are 10 things I really really miss.

1. I miss conversations on the plane

   I just got back from a girls trip and I accidentally forgot my airpods and what an experience. On the plane ride there I noticed everyone around me was plugged in.. so I watched a TV show with sound on because I wasn’t disturbing anyone. Then on the plane ride back, same thing and something eerie I noticed was that there was NO conversation. No small talk whatsoever, everyone was plugged in. And it made me sad. Not that I love small talk, or making conversation with strangers all the time but I do remember a time when that was a thing and it is simply no longer a thing.

2. I miss going to Blockbuster

   Listen, I love Netflix (or rather I loved it when Gilmore Girls was on it). But there is something so magical about going to Blockbuster on a Friday night and browsing the aisles for one or two VHS or DVDs you could take home with you. And we even had to rewind them after we were done for the next person. I have to say that some magic has been lost when all we have to do is press buttons as we swipe through the thousands of options on our streaming platforms.

3. I miss commercials having a place and time

   Back in the 90s, advertisements were in 3 distinct places. Billboards on the highway, in the TV, and in the weekly newspaper. Now, everyone and anyone is trying to sell to you. Our phones have algorithms that listen to us and then show us what we need. Influencers are constantly telling us what we need for our next trip or next baby. It’s exhausting and I am so over being sold to 24/7!

4. I miss not knowing the answer (sometimes)

   I fear that the times of simply not knowing the answer to something no longer is an option. It is all too easy to get the answer, and I do miss being able to ponder and solve through asking questions and sourcing information, even from the library! Having the answer to literally everything at our fingertips turns out to be convenient but also kind of sad.

5. I miss hearing and telling stories

   I do think we still do tell stories BUT we have this compulsion of if I didn’t capture it on my phone, it didn’t happen. Do you know what I mean? Like if we go to a concert, our phone is out just to make sure we have visual proof vs. just telling someone about it. Or if an amazing moment happens, we have 10-15 photos for it too which I think makes us less dependent on storytelling and I miss that.

6. I miss creative voicemail greetings

   One of my favorite memories growing up was recording a personalized voicemail greeting for our landline phone. When I was 7 years old, I rehearsed and recorded and felt so responsible for making that little 10 second greeting. (Ours was to a Sound of Music song, what was yours?) I miss that! I also do just miss landline phones and sometimes not being available by text.

7. I miss neighbors dropping us to and from the airport

   Now that we have Uber we just don’t have to ask our neighbors as much for favors like driving us to the airport but I have started doing this more! Our neighbor dropped us off and even got a car wash before and it was so nice. I then asked another neighbor who mentioned she’s going on vacation if she wanted a ride and she said yes! I feel like this is a lost thing that can just make a big difference and we should do it more.

   

8. I miss making mix CDs

   No offense to Spotify but making a playlist there just isn’t the same as hunting and gathering songs on Limewire, and then creating a SPECIAL playlist for a special someone and writing with a sharpie on it and then listening to it in the car and only having those songs be your option to listen to. It shaped seasons, if you know what I mean. I even miss the sound of a CD going into the car..

9. I miss when malls were cool

   Okay yes to online shopping for convenience but having a central place to gather was also so fun. I also feel like malls in the 90s did a great job of making malls feel alive and fun and happy. Have you been to a mall lately? Not the same, it’s just not the same.

10. I miss getting mail

    Whatever happened to pen pals? Or the excitement of opening your mailbox and finding something actually addressed to YOU — not a bill or a coupon but something real and personalized? Something that someone spent time and energy putting together and putting a stamp on it to be delivered right to you.

This last one is actually one that I’m dreaming about! More to come, but if you become a paid subscriber - you will be the first to find out more of what I am talking about!

If you’re interested, I’d love to have you!

Subscribe now

P.S. And speaking of mail — if you upgrade your subscription this July, I'm partnering with Avid Reader Press to send you a free copy of Dopamine Kids by Michaeleen Doucleff (retails $30!) in the actual mail. First 10 paid subscribers get one — this book is so good and so 90s mom, and I cannot wait to send it straight to your door. 🌷

And I’d also love to hear from you, what do YOU miss about the 90s and wish we could bring back?

xoxo

Andi