It’s easy to look back at any particular time period and think, Oh it was better back then.
Most of the time, it’s not really true. It was different, but that doesn’t always mean better.
But I also think there are things we can learn from each decade. Things we can and should take with us into the future, or rather into the now, that might make life better.
And since the 90s had internet, but it wasn’t in our hands or pockets 24/7, I definitely think there are some aspects of those pre-social media days that could make our lives better right now. In no particular order:
Land lines. For any young people, these are phones that plug into the wall and can’t go with you everywhere on planet earth. Can you imagine being unavailable sometimes? The horror. And the freedom.
iPods/MP3 Players. Music without the internet access. Perfect.
Movie rental places. You had to literally go to the store to pick out and rent a movie. It was an activity. And it was great.
Radio. I know radio still exists, but most people have streaming music. And streaming music is good shit. But the radio would expose you to things you really wouldn’t hear otherwise.
D.A.R.E. Just because it was fun.
Computer labs. We used to walk down to the computer lab at school. No laptops in the classroom, just good old paper and pencil. Going to the computer lab was exciting.
Damn, I miss the 90s. Let’s logoff sometimes, shall we? I think we’d all be happier…
You know what sucks? Getting old. Not like 90 or 100, because for as much as that sucks, it’s also AWESOME to live that long. Like you can’t possibly care what others think once you’ve made a century. Right? Right?!
No, what really sucks is getting old, but not like old old. Like 40. 40 sucks. And everybody knows that 40 sucks. In fact, we know that it sucks SO MUCH that we made a little chart – the happiness curve – all about getting older. And do you know where 40 lies on the curve? At the freakin’ bottom. So if you’re 40-ish, you’re likely at the bottom of the happiness curve.
This could be good news – we can only go up from here. Or it could be bad news – like, how long do I have to suffer?
This is not to discourage all of you “about to turn 40” people out there. I’d rather be 40 than the alternative – you know, dead – but it’s hard on this side of the hill. If you haven’t made it here yet, I’m going to tell you the top reasons why it sucks over here. That way, you can prepare yourself.
The Old, the Odd, and the Annoying: Why Getting Old Sucks
You’re old, but not old old. Some people look at you normally, but young people start to look at you like“Oh, you’re 40.” And let me tell you, that look makes you want to hide in your own skin.
You think you still look like a 30 year old. Spoiler alert: You don’t.
You’re not better off in your career. You thought you would be, I know. But you’re not. In fact, you’re nowhere near where the younger you thought you would be at this age.
You use phrases like at this age.
You have to scroll further to choose your age, or for the love of all that is Holy, your birth year. Talk about a direct hit to your confidence.
You don’t have a lot of money. You never did, but for some reason, you thought you would by this age.
You have SO much more to share about the world and how it works and what to avoid, but fewer and fewer people really care to listen.
Wrinkles, age spots, gray hair. ‘Nuff said.
The Silver Lining (and no, it’s not that gray hair)
Ok, so it’s not allll bad, and we know that, too. There are a lot of good things about getting older. There’s a silver lining that has nothing to do with your hair.
For example, some people really DO listen, and you get to pass on wisdom to those who haven’t climbed the hill yet.
And even though you no longer look like a 30 year old, you look pretty damn good. (-ish for good measure here. You look good-ish.)
You might not bounce back from a night out as quickly, but you also have less desire to have a night out that needs recovery.
You’re smarter, but in a way that you could never explain to someone younger. It’s just experience.
So … yea. There’s some good stuff about the tick tock of the clock.
But overall, getting old sucks. And it doesn’t really matter how many times I tell you about it, you still won’t be prepared. It comes at you fast, and once you get to the top, it goes even faster on the other side.
If you’re still on the uphill side, take advantage of it. Say yes more often. Make mistakes. Go on trips. Make friends. Do all the things.
And if you’ve reached the top, take advantage of it. Say yes more often. Make mistakes. Go on trips. Make friends. Do all the things.
Yes, the advice is the same no matter which side of the hill you’re currently climbing up (or rolling down).
Buckle up, bitches. We’re coming out of this curve sideways and burning rubber.
