Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

155 replies

Heartbeatonandhomeworkdone · 16/03/2025 19:52

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

OP posts:
Coffeeforayear · 16/03/2025 20:34

I was in my 20s during the 90s and do miss that. The music, a wider group of likeminded friends, carefree hols etc.

Don't miss being 15-17 at all, miserable times, couldn't wait to leave home.

orangewasp · 16/03/2025 20:35

I'm older and feel the same about the 80s and being young.

Beetlebumz · 16/03/2025 20:35

I would say it is a bit unusual..the only time I’ve thought alot about my teen years and got sad about it.. is in lockdown or when I’ve been depressed in some way. Is everything ok in your life right now?

Beetlebumz · 16/03/2025 20:40

The 90s were so f in cool though..I just think maybe you’re looking back because something is missing in your life now..

Heartbeatonandhomeworkdone · 16/03/2025 20:41

DrCoconut · 16/03/2025 20:21

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 😫

95 was the best summer ever…! So hot, beautiful memories

OP posts:
cheesychipsontheoche · 16/03/2025 20:43

I miss the hope we had in the 90s. You could do anything and achieve anything and it didn’t depend on money or status.

Gowlett · 16/03/2025 20:44

I graduated from school in 95. Lived in London & Paris late 90s / early Noughties. So many good times… And great music, clothes, parties, sex, laughs, hope, fun! I loved it all.

Nowvoyager99 · 16/03/2025 20:44

I think a certain amount of nostalgia is reasonable, but you sound like you are plain unhappy.

Are there things in your life now that you would prefer were different? Do you feel disappointed?

I would focus on how to move forward positively rather than getting upset about missing the past.

AnneShirleysNewDress · 16/03/2025 20:44

I’m the same age OP and I get it 100%.

Heartbeatonandhomeworkdone · 16/03/2025 20:45

Nowvoyager99 · 16/03/2025 20:44

I think a certain amount of nostalgia is reasonable, but you sound like you are plain unhappy.

Are there things in your life now that you would prefer were different? Do you feel disappointed?

I would focus on how to move forward positively rather than getting upset about missing the past.

Do I??

OP posts:
Tootingbec · 16/03/2025 20:48

I was very late to the party but just finished watching One Day on Netflix. Loved it but it has rather overwhelmed me with a painful almost exquisite nostalgia for my lost youth during exactly the same time period. Running around London after university, living in flatshares, the boys (so many boys!)…….

I actually cried in one episode when the episode ended with “Sonnet” by The Verve. Not because of what I had watched but because the song took me back in a second to a certain time and place in the 90’s.

I have a very good life now in my 50’s (great career, stable marriage and lovely kids) and wouldn’t really want to be that young again! But the upside is that I have got interested again in music that I used to love and exploring some current bands - and it’s great!

Ivecomeoutoflurking · 16/03/2025 20:50

I'm 42 and completely agree OP.
Even this thread is making me cry and want to go back. I sometimes worry that I'm too attached to the nostalgia and spend far too much time reminiscing and wishing I could go back and live through it all again

mrlistersgelfbride · 16/03/2025 20:52

Oh god yeah I miss the boys from uni. There was one who was perfect for me and I didn't even notice him really. He even grabbed me and kissed me once, but I was an idiot.
I do occasionally look him up on Instagram , probably doesn't help that he's never married. Oh to go back just one day! 🤣

Strangecat · 16/03/2025 20:53

I’m 44 and unfortunately due to trauma I barely remember anything only fragments. I truly envy you for having vivid memories. Just cherish them! it’s okay to be nostalgic, life is passing us by so fast.

RealEagle · 16/03/2025 20:54

Girls just wanna have fun was mine and my friends anthem early eighties

saveforthat · 16/03/2025 20:55

Heartbeatonandhomeworkdone · 16/03/2025 19:59

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

I cry at old songs too. I'm a lot older than you OP so it's 70s/80s that does it for me. If I watch old TOTP I am overcome with nostalgia and longing for my youth. For me it's that my whole life was in front of me and I was young free and single and in excellent health.

saveforthat · 16/03/2025 20:55

I also cried at ABBA Voyage.

Lovehearts13 · 16/03/2025 20:55

I don’t wish to be a teenager again because it wasn’t always an easy time for me.

But I am incredibly nostalgic.

The music, the sweets, sleepovers and watching videos, staying up half the night talking and laughing, hanging around the park and the boys coming over and hoping to get a snog, going to the cinema to see the latest film, the TV shows, the shopping.

It definitely seemed like a golden era of hope.

MissHollyGolightly · 16/03/2025 20:57

You have to enjoy the feeling- that was your time - but also have to appreciate everything that came after and brought you to the amazing now. Even if it doesn’t feel so amazing. You are alive and lived all those good times. That’s what it’s all about!

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 16/03/2025 20:58

I'm in the same age bracket as you. The early to mid nineties were a horrific time of my life due to my childhood home and school bullying, however I do still understand what you mean. I miss the days before social media took over and the feeling that anything was possible. I wish we could rewind and go back to the days before the Internet.

Firebird83 · 16/03/2025 20:59

I’m a bit younger, 35, but I loved my 90s childhood. I have been thinking about it a lot recently. Things have changed so much and the world seemed so much simpler back then.

Luddite26 · 16/03/2025 20:59

Apparently if they want to sell a target age group something they should play a song from the year you were 16.
Songs that do it for me
Tiffany I think I'm alone now
Bon Jovi living on a prayer.

But I lived the 90s from Ace of Base to Oasis . Life was good personally for me late 90s/00s with my kids. Enjoying CBBC demon headmaster to Tracy Beaker.

IncessantNameChanger · 16/03/2025 21:00

I'm very nostalgic at the best of times. I'm not sure the 90's was better. I just didn't care for the news tbh.

Friends was your entire life but naturally when your Older people focus on kids and partners. Getting older and your best days being behind you is hard for sure too. But got to keep thinking lots never get to grow old and wrinkly

I Di terribly miss my home, my dad but if I'm 100% honest I would go back. Things was also bad but different bad things like a sadistic mum. I feel sad I never had a loving mum and happy home

Luddite26 · 16/03/2025 21:00

I loved the attitude. Fuck you 😄

newrubylane · 16/03/2025 21:08

I've recently been feeling really intense nostalgia for my late teens and early 20s, particularly my time at university and in my first job afterwards. Young and carefree, relatively speaking.

I'm turning 40 this year, married (very happily), 2 children, I'm ageing, parents afe ageing and life feels heavier and moments of joy more rare. I assume it's related.