12 Things That Were Normal When Millennials Were Kids, But Not Anymore

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When millennials were kids, the world around them looked quite different from the one we see today. They grew up in a time when certain things were considered perfectly normal but have now faded into the realm of nostalgia. These changes have been driven by rapid advancements in technology, shifts in societal norms, and evolving preferences.

1. Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On

In the good old days of millennial childhood, it was common for kids to spend hours outdoors, playing with friends until the streetlights illuminated the evening sky. The absence of smartphones and video games meant that riding bikes, building forts, and playing catch were the norm. Today, screen time has largely replaced outdoor play for many kids, making this nostalgic memory a thing of the past.

2. Saturday Morning Cartoons

Millennials fondly remember waking up early on Saturday mornings, excited to watch their favorite cartoons. Shows like “Scooby-Doo,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “The Smurfs” were eagerly anticipated. However, the rise of streaming services and on-demand content has led to the demise of the traditional Saturday morning cartoon block, leaving today’s kids with an entirely different viewing experience.

3. Dial-Up Internet and the Infamous Sound

Millennial kids endured the era of dial-up internet, characterized by the distinctive screeching and whirring sounds of a modem connecting to the World Wide Web. Waiting for web pages to load felt like an eternity. With the advent of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections, younger generations may never know the struggle of patiently waiting for a single web page to load.

4. Collecting Physical Music and Movies

Millennials grew up with shelves filled with CDs, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and DVDs. These physical media formats were the primary means of consuming music and movies. In today’s digital age, music and movies are easily accessible through streaming platforms like Spotify and Netflix. Physical collections have given way to playlists and digital libraries, making the concept of owning tangible music or movies increasingly obsolete.

5. Disposable Cameras and Developing Film

Before the era of smartphones with high-quality cameras, millennials relied on disposable cameras to capture moments. The excitement of dropping off a roll of film for developing and eagerly awaiting the printed photos is a nostalgic memory. Today, smartphones have made photography instantaneous, with no need for physical prints or the anticipation of seeing how photos turned out.

6. Landline Phones and the Art of Phone Etiquette

Millennials grew up in homes with landline phones that had cords long enough to stretch into a private corner for a conversation. They learned the importance of phone etiquette, like asking for permission to use the phone and not tying up the line for too long. In today’s world of smartphones and instant messaging, the concept of landline phones and phone etiquette seems quaint and outdated.

7. Physical Encyclopedias and Libraries

Researching school projects used to involve flipping through the pages of bulky encyclopedias or visiting the local library. Millennials remember the time-consuming process of finding information in physical books and the joy of discovering hidden gems in library stacks. With the internet and search engines, younger generations have access to a vast sea of information at their fingertips, rendering the use of physical encyclopedias and extensive library visits largely obsolete.

8. Mixtapes and Burned CDs

Crafting the perfect mixtape or burning a personalized CD was a labor of love for millennial kids. These homemade compilations of favorite songs were often gifted to friends or used to express feelings to a crush. Today, creating and sharing playlists on streaming platforms has taken over, making the art of crafting mixtapes and burned CDs a nostalgic relic of the past.

9. Waiting for TV Shows to Air Weekly

Millennials remember the anticipation of waiting a whole week for the next episode of their favorite TV shows. Shows like “Friends,” “The X-Files,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” had dedicated time slots, and fans had to exercise patience. Streaming services have shifted the paradigm, allowing viewers to binge-watch entire seasons at once, eliminating the need for weekly suspense and water cooler discussions.

10. Limited Gaming Options

Millennial kids grew up with a limited selection of video games and gaming consoles. Games were often played on systems like the Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis. Today’s generation enjoys a vast array of gaming options, from consoles like the PlayStation 5 to mobile games and virtual reality experiences. The simplicity and nostalgia of gaming in the ’90s are a far cry from the immersive gaming experiences available today.

11. Physical Maps and Asking for Directions

Back in the day, when millennials were kids, road trips often involved unfolding a physical map to navigate unfamiliar territory. Asking for directions from locals was a common occurrence, and getting lost was a part of the adventure. Today, GPS apps on smartphones have made maps and asking for directions almost obsolete, as turn-by-turn guidance has become the norm.

12. Blockbuster Video Rentals

Friday nights meant a trip to the local Blockbuster video store to browse the shelves for the latest movie releases or video game rentals. Millennials remember the excitement of choosing the perfect film for the weekend. However, with the rise of streaming services like Netflix and digital downloads, the days of physically renting movies and games are long gone.