To think it’s not normal how much I miss the 90’s and my youth

The world seems to gave completely changed since the 90s. Its so grim now.

I've been feeling that too recently and I wasn't even that happy as a teenager. I'm sure every generation says this, but I really think we had it best in the 80s and 90s. Lots of useful technology and entertainment, but no smartphones or social media. When I hung out with my friends we actually chatted, and if they were things happening without me I couldn't see them so I just didn't know about them! I long for the days when I would walk round blockbuster video with a friend, choose something on our D list because all the good videos were taken, stock up on snacks and pizza and just spend a night in not worrying about face creams, texting or what everyone else was doing! Maybe that's why I feel so nostalgic - especially as my dd is getting older and I know it's going to be so different for her.

I mean, it isn't called a Mid Life Crisis for nothing!

Wet Wet Wet love is all around came on the radio the other day and I was jolted back to 1995? Singing it loudly with big bunch of girlfriends. That wonderful feeling of your whole life being ahead of you. We all planned to do extraordinary things!

They were better times the 90’s/early “00. More hopeful and I don’t think that is just our age talking.

I'm a couple years younger than you op and feel exactly the same as you describe. I miss the more carefree days of the 90s, I think we grew up in a great era and I really do miss those days, unfortunately they go all too fast.

I was an 80s teenager and absolutely loved my life,I was pretty,size 10 and the world was amazing. I have just urged my children to enjoy and embrace their lives, the decades get faster the older you get,you can’t turn the clock back!

I don't miss it at all!

I hated being that age. But I did have an amazing time and saw so many great bands and did some amazing things. I perhaps didn't appreciate it at the time but I wouldn't go back. I just have this sense that it almost was a different life time and it wouldn't be the same if I went back now anyway. I've changed and I'm not sure I'd enjoy it in the same way. The people I did it with have all moved on. I miss them but I also don't because I value what I have now.

I get to do different cool stuff now. Not the same. It's different. But yeah, I guess I feel I've been there, down that, what's next?

I do think it's about finding the next bucket list thing to keep looking forward rather than looking back.

I remember the 90s as optimistic but actually given everything that's happened since, there's an enormous naivity about it. A lot of things that happened then laid the seeds for the political fall out we see now and having seen now, I think going back I'd feel frustrated and want to scream about all the mistakes being made. It'd be tainted with the knowledge of today.

Si to go back to that age and do it all again as it was, wouldn't be nice but neither would going back knowing what I know now. It wouldn't be the same experience.

The lack of optimism today is something totally different. I'm in my late 40s - I went to Lidl on Saturday with a couple of friends and ended up spontaneously having a whale of a time just being silly like I did in my teens. So I think some of it is allowing yourself to just be rather than this constant conformity to what society expects of 40 year old women.

No, I miss some of the easy physicality of youth but that's about all. I've learnt so much, I'd hate to give it up.

For me it’s more the hopes we had for the world at that time. We really thought there could be world peace.

Now look where we are 😢

Oh! Norman.

I would love to go back to those daysinus the teenage angst! But YEA to the freedom, not giving a fuck, no worries, exploring and expanding my experiences, all the friends and connections! I'd love to feel that again

Absolutely agree. I feel really awkward talking to young people about the 90s and how much freedom we had to leave school, get a job, not worry too much about things, about how music and clubbing was so important to us.

Their options are so much worse now than ours were back then, trying to leave home and do their own thing is virtually unaffordable for young people today. The social media thing is suffocating. They have to grow up so quickly and be so streetwise and not all kids can manage that.

It was the end of an era by the financial crisis of 2008 I think. We’ve never got over it as a country and things have been really shit for youngsters especially in loads of different ways since then.

This is such a great point about social media bringing memories back to life but almost like an apparition it disappears because that time is in the past now. I have seen photos of 1970s/80s Christmas decorations and wrapping paper and been jolted by the strongest memories, it’s like it evokes the smell of the shiny foil mixed with pine needles. Takes me back to all the associated feelings of excitement and absolute joy. It makes me want to cry because it’s gone really and I only get to feel it for a brief moment in time. Also massively nostalgic for the teen years and early twenties. I just want to experience it all again. The music, the atmosphere, going to amazing clubs and cozy pubs. No one had their head in a phone . What a time to be alive! I also find the memories make me cry too. I want to catch hold of it all again but it’s gone now. We have our memories though of those days.

I get like this OP. I’ve even found myself going for a walk around my old neighbourhood and feeling sad how it’s changed.

I'm 60 and I miss the amazing music of the late 70s, early 80s. I also miss the clothes shops, I lived in an average Midlands cities, but it comparison to now, the choice of clothes in actual shops was amazing. I do listen to some modern music, but find much of it so bland, dull and soulless. Watching the recent Brits Awards was so depressing.

I guess it's normal to pine for your lost youth, but life pre internet was so much better. And the youth of today have no idea what it was like and what's been lost...

I am the same age as you OP, the 90s were my decade. Clubs, festivals, parties, backpacking, snogging hot drummers.... It was a trip!

What I will say is, late 40s is not old. You can still go dancing. In fact, I read a great article the other day about how many event promoters are trying to appeal to people in their 40s and 50s, as Gen Z do not drink and have no money to go out.

Do a Google search. You will find plenty of club nights and gigs aimed at people our age. There was a silent disco in South London last month which started at 6: 30pm and ended at 9:30 for people who love to dance but don't want to go to a club full of 20-year-olds . Or just get your mates together for a drink and a kitchen disco.... Why not!

I work in social care and spend a lot of time with the elderly. Compared to the 85-year-olds I hang out with, we are still young. We still have plenty of years of enjoyment and fulfilment ahead. Dig out your dancing gear, OP.

Yes I totally feel this way too especially when, like you say a song from that era comes on the radio - the other day it was Born Slippy by Underworld that took me right back to clubbing at my Northern Uni in 95-98 🤩❤️. I try to explain it to my son who is 16 - he tries to understand, but of course, he can’t fully. I feel a bit sad for him (and my other DC) that they can’t have that same experience I did - I truly believe the 90s was really special. There was a simplicity and optimism to those days.

However, my son seems to be having a pretty good shot of his late teenage years too - he’s super social and has a massive group of friends always up for fun - they make me nostalgic for the past even more!! 🥹❤️

Sweet Harmony (the song) can make me stop and a few tears of nostalgia appear. Close my eyes and totally reminisce. Just looked it up was released in 1991. 😭

I get it. The excitement of meeting my friends down the park on a Friday, downing peach Concorde and seeing how the night unravelled before having a sleepover and reliving it in the morning.

I hate how the high street has changed! I used to love going into town with friends, or the train to the nearest city. Pre online everything and a sense of anything can happen. But I hoped for a good career and a happier family than what I’d grown up in. It’s just a harder slog than those carefree days ❤️

I miss the 90s music, my university days and my first proper love. Incredible times.

I'm happy now but god I'd go back for a day or so.

While I miss my child-free years and looking younger and healthier, my teenage years and early 20s were not my happiest times for a few reasons. My happiest times have been with my DH and my career growing and raising my kids, so I’d say I’m happiest now and still feel happiness at what’s to come for us.

Are you happy in your current life, OP?