From VHS to SOS: Millennial Nostalgia Meets Modern Day Chaos

Am I the only one feeling like life has hit the fast-forward button? Seriously, trying to catch a breath, save a buck, or enjoy a lazy Sunday feels like running a marathon backward. And let me tell you, friends, that’s a one-way ticket to burnout, and I fear that the world is feeling it now. In my 30s, I’ve stumbled upon a profound truth: Smash Mouth had it figured out. Those years? They start coming and don’t stop coming.

Fast. Furious. And unforgiving.

I can’t shake this nostalgia for the world we knew as kids—pre-internet, pre-TikTok, pre-Insta frenzy. Back when the term ‘streaming’ was reserved for creeks and not Netflix. That was the golden age of millennial chill, where unbothered happiness came in the form of riding bikes until the streetlights came on, not pinging notifications. Today, we all demand instant gratification, which I’m also guilty of. But let’s take a trip down memory lane, back to those summer nights at Blockbuster. Remember when choosing a movie was a high-stakes game because you were stuck with your pick—no takebacks, no skips? The sheer terror of bringing home a dud had us analyzing every VHS cover as if

we were defusing a bomb. Those were the days when patience was just part of the evening’s entertainment. I even find myself watching more live TV just so I can experience the thrill of rushing back from a bathroom break, hoping not to miss anything. Key word: patience—a virtue I believe to be nearly extinct in our fast-paced, instant-gratification world.

I don’t know about y’all, but I long for those simpler, dopamine-rich days, free from the impending doom that seems to hover over our current world. So, how do we recapture that? How do we chase after those bursts of pure, simple joy? Personally, I’ve started to dig deep into the roots of my childhood hobbies. What activities sparked joy for you as a kid? For me, it was all about crafting. I remember times my sister Alex and I would spend hours making beaded bracelets while listening to Nick Lachey on repeat. We would paint figurines at our grandparent's house. Make push pin ornaments and even turning bowling balls into dazzling mosaic artworks with broken glass, marbles, and concrete, all while ‘Hocus Pocus’ or ‘Men in Tights’ played in the background. Those were more than just activities; they were escapes, moments where the world just felt right and simple.

So I invite you, let’s get nostalgic for a minute: Remember those totally awesome activities that used to be the highlight of your childhood but now seem like ancient history? Why not bring them back? Dive deep into your happiest childhood memories and let’s recreate them—remember, you’re an adult now, which means you can do whatever you want! No parents to say ‘Not today.’ So why not build a pillow fort to color in, or throw down a pallet for an old-school movie marathon? Call up your besties for a throwback sleepover. Let’s get a little silly, a bit nostalgic, and a lot happier. Let’s make our days brighter and feel at home again, just like we used to, together—far from the glow of our screens. Of course, as I type this on my computer… well, you get the irony!

Till next time, my sweet habitaters.