I won’t pretend that I could thrive without the internet and its countless wonders. I mean, who doesn’t love adorable cat videos, the convenience of shopping on Amazon, or those quirky quizzes like “Which Traditional German Breakfast Food Are You?”
However, while browsing through a recent confessional post on Modern Family Blog, I found myself reminiscing about my life before social media. Sure, some things were less than ideal, like having to search for information in actual encyclopedias or dressing appropriately to shop without risking a wardrobe malfunction. Yet, there are aspects of my pre-social media existence that I find oddly comforting, and I bet many from my generation would agree.
We Didn’t Feel the Need to Document Everything.
Before the days of Instagram and Snapchat, snapping pictures of my lunch, freshly manicured nails, or the picturesque sunset wasn’t a priority. I simply enjoyed my meal, admired my nails, and soaked in the beauty of the moment.
We Didn’t Seek Validation Online.
Why do we share those photos? It’s often for the likes and compliments that validate our choices. In the past, a simple remark like, “Nice nails!” would leave me feeling great for the day. Now, if I receive only one like on a photo, I’m left questioning my nail art skills, convinced that my nails must look terrible.
We Weren’t Bombarded with Other People’s Opinions.
While unsolicited opinions always existed, they used to come primarily from family gatherings or the occasional know-it-all. Now, thanks to social media, I’m bombarded with opinions from acquaintances, revealing unsettling truths about their views. One moment I’m enjoying cute puppy videos, and the next, I discover that someone I thought was cool has some seriously problematic beliefs.
We Didn’t Lose Hours to Mindless Scrolling.
Ever intended to check your email but ended up spending an hour scrolling through social media? I know I have. I’ve also entered the “just one more episode” trap, ending up awake far past my intended bedtime. It’s exhausting.
We Were Shielded from Constant Bad News.
In the 1990s, I could go days without encountering a piece of news that made me question humanity or feel like I needed to prepare for the apocalypse.
We Didn’t Have to Navigate the Maze of “Fake News.”
In the past, news came from trustworthy sources. We recognized “fake news” as those outrageous tabloid headlines at the grocery store. Nowadays, anyone can publish information, and if it appears credible enough, it spreads like wildfire, often without any fact-checking.
We Didn’t Stalk Former Friends.
If someone exited our lives, we accepted it without the constant reminders on social media. It was easier to forget about them when their life updates weren’t glaringly available on our feeds. Thank goodness for the “unfollow” option!
We Didn’t Compare Our Lives Relentlessly.
Back in high school, I might have envied my classmate Sarah’s toned legs during gym class. However, if social media had existed then, I’d have been constantly comparing myself to Sarah’s vacation photos, her flawless beach body, and her trendy outfits. Talk about pressure!
We Weren’t Tagged in Awkward Photos.
In the past, if someone snapped a bad photo of me, it usually remained private. Now, I can be tagged in an unflattering photo that circulates widely before I can even say “please delete that!”
So yes, life before the internet might have lacked some modern conveniences, and I may have missed out on the latest trends. But I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the simpler days when I didn’t have to curate a perfect online persona. The version of me that could express real emotions without resorting to emojis or acronyms. The me who didn’t have to confront the fact that distant relatives liked questionable Facebook pages. The me who didn’t feel the pressure of a Pinterest board filled with unattainable goals. Life was far simpler back then—even if it meant enjoying lunch without the need for an Instagram post.
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Summary:
In a world dominated by social media, it’s easy to forget the simpler joys of life before the internet. From the absence of constant validation to the freedom from endless comparisons, there’s a nostalgic charm to the days when we lived more authentically and enjoyed moments without the pressure of capturing them for public approval.