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

[Heartbeatonandhomeworkdone]

I think about it a lot. I have vivid memories of the mid 90’s (47 now) and being 13-17 in particular, 15-17 are the highlights.
I remember how I looked, the clothes I wore, how I walked, how I thought.
The naughtiness and excitement of those times, also being in my family home, that amazing group of friends, the laughing, the dancing, how anything seemed possible.
It almost feels like a dream

Does anyone else feel like this? The world seems such a very different place

I could cry for those days sometimes

Sometimes a song will come on the radio in the car and I actually cry as I’m driving, hankering after that youth and those feelings of freedom and everything being ahead of me.

I hated those years (same age as you) and wouldn’t be 15 again for a million quid, so YABU for that part!

Are you looking back and seeing some element there that you lack now, whether friendships, secure love and support; or perhaps it’s a a sense of being halfway through life (if we’re lucky) and how TF did that happen? In which case YANBU!
Or maybe it’s a case of wistfulness, which I also think is pretty normal but more unreasonable than being boggled at the speed life takes you at.

It’s hankering for youth, nostalgia. I have extremely strong, dreamy memories of my time as a 14-20yo too.

The 90s was particularly good, though.

I thought about it and though I'd time travel back to that era in a heartbeat, the thing I think I actually miss is the freedom and optimism, which I can create for myself now.

Can't get youth back though, and alot of it was agony the first time round.

I do get what your saying I’m 57 now and I loved the early 80s 14/16 was my fav age ,me and my friends use to laugh so much be out dancing at party’s.We couldn’t wait to grow up .

Something in the water?
I'm a bit younger at just turned 40 and the last few months I've been almost obsessively thinking about the late 90s and early 00s. Mainly 2003 and 2004 when I was 18/29/20 at university. The people I used to know, the music and clothes, the places we went, the vibe and everything!
Don't have much advice apart from enjoy the memories but try not to let it take over from the here and now. Sadly we can't get those days back. The world was an easier place then and I'm sure it's not just because we were young. But there is still joy to be had in today x

I'm the same age and definitely understand this but I think it's pretty normal to fondly remember your youth.

💯 the same, it just takes you right back. Ive always been nostalgic, but it’s getting worse

Totally the same. My peak childhood was in the 90’s / early 00’s. I miss it all. Senior school. The fashion. Shops. Food. Being in my family home. Everything. I love my life now but there isn’t a day goes by without my nostalgia pangs!

I often wonder where Norman is now. Probably wintering with his mother in Guildford. A cat. Rain. Vim under the sink and both bars on.

But old now. Yes, old. There can be no true beauty without decay.

Yes 😫
94-99 I think I miss the most.
Living in a former mining town that was just beginning a mega regeneration, the optimism matched our own young people’s energy for the future.
The music, the telly, the freedom! The simplicity of being young with no camera phones or social media and only taking a disposable camera with 24 snaps out on a VERY special occasion.
Oasis at Knebworth. All the indie bands at the Leadmill or Donny dome. Glasto in the mud.
Very nostalgic for it!!!!

Does anyone else feel like this? The world seems such a very different place The world seemed better because you were young so you were more optimistic, more energetic, more in the moment.

It's normal to look back fondly at the days of your youth!

Same, I would like to be or see her again.
She was gorgeous and fierce.

I heard the song ‘forever young’ the other day, and said to dh, do you wish we were young again? (We met in the 90s) and he said god yes. We did conclude that if we reach 80 we will think we were young right now in middle age, so to make the most of it whilst we are mobile and relatively healthy.

Yes! But I wouldn't want to go back because I think I would be quite harsh with my younger self.. like why are you hanging out with that guy, ok he's handsome but he's a jerk and why are you drinking so much to have confidence and why do you let your friends influence you so much, you're good as you are stop trying to change who you are to fit in... finally I like myself better at 45 😄

I think it's normal to long for the days when you were carefree and not burdened by the responsibilities we adults shoulder 24/7. Friendships back then were so intense, you really felt things, the highs and lows were so emotional! Just in general a feeling of being really alive.

And yes, the future was just one big open possibility.

Last year my oldest and dearest friend died and since then I've been drawn to television shows and movies from the 90's/early 2000's. I find them nostalgic and comforting.

I do this. My life has been very hard in various ways since I turned about 14. I long to go back to the ‘before times’, if only for a few hours. Sometimes I watch the opening credits of my favourite childhood cartoons on Insta reels and it feels so comforting. Then I remember it’s all gone and I feel sad again. The problem with social media and being able to access this stuff is it makes it feel like it’s just within reach, when it isn’t.

I can't believe 1995 was 30 years ago. That was an amazing summer. I did my A levels that year and then was free to spend the time having fun until uni in September. I had finally found my tribe at college after being bullied at school and I was madly in love with my boyfriend. I remember the songs, the clothes, the parties, the nights out. I think it was a simpler time and no adult responsibilities yet. My grandma used to talk the same way about the 1940s and say that one day I'd understand. I do. I've been a little bit saddened this week by the death of someone from back then and there seems to be a lot of 90s nostalgia at the moment too. Like it was the 80s with stranger things and now the 90s is having a revival. Perimenopause doesn't help 😫

Maybe because the 90s were literally so cool?! Raves, no smartphones, Berlin wall falling, Europe emerging. Maybe we are all hankering after it that little bit more these days because of weird war like shadows looming in the corners.

The problem with social media and being able to access this stuff is it makes it feel like it’s just within reach, when it isn’t

True. It's the modern equivalent of looking at old photographs. The nostalgia is certainly bittersweet for me, but it's a way for my brain to process the loss, I think.

I do understand how you feel.

I think a lot of people hanker for their younger years but I also think 90’s and very early 00’s were the end of an era. The club and pub scene has been decimated, smart phones have ruined so much and technology has made folks so insular. Communities really don’t come together as they still did then. Work doesn’t pay unless you’re earning a good bit over the average wage and living somewhere relatively cheap. As much as youngsters will still want to be grown up, I don’t think they will have the same nostalgia that those born in the 70’s and 80’s have.

I understand this. I go through phases of being extremely nostalgic for my youth and I can have days or weeks where I think about it all the time. I put it down to a kind of midlife crisis. It’s a very intense and bittersweet feeling.

For me it's a combination of bereavement and personal loss and menopause. I feel like this a lot.

I feel I've lost connection in my life now which I had then.

I miss it a lot too op, was thinking the same thing as you today 😕

100%!
Sometimes I wish for it so hard I feel I could cry! Probably a bit extreme but I'm blaming it on turning 40 a few weeks ago.

There was definitely a feeling of togetherness and optimism in the 90s too, after the unrest and selfishness if the 80s. Though there's also likely a bit of looking back through rose coloured spectacles (or maybe dove-shaped ones).