Over the past few months, I realized that my body was stuck in a permanent fight or flight mode (from life, trauma, school etc.), and since I was on summer break, this was the perfect time to try and slow down. I was a child in the 90's and I remember it being a more simple, and happy time. I really do think that having a smartphone in hand 24/7 has ruined society. These are a handful of simple things I've done to transport myself back into that simpler 90's lifestyle.
1. I deleted Instagram
I decided to delete Instagram for a few reasons, but one big one was that the vibe was off. I felt like it was just people watching my content in a non-supportive way, and after years of being a successful "influencer" - I was over it. I haven't missed it once since I got rid of it. It's much more peaceful; now it feels like everything I did was performative or that I had to get a good picture of it, and post it or it didn't happen. Now that I'm out of that mindset, I am living in the moment and enjoying it more.
2. My cell phone has a home
I recently started keeping my cell phone on a magnet on my fridge while I'm at home. Just like the good ol days when we had corded landlines. It makes it so I'm not scrolling as much, and if I don't really need my phone, I'm too lazy to get up and get it.
3. Newspapers
I love the idea of opening up a newspaper in the morning while drinking my coffee on my couch in my robe - it just makes me happy! My favorite paper is called Sunday Club. Their slogan is "no news, all games". It's a quarterly paper filled will fun word games, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and more. The other paper I get is called The Good Newspaper. It's filled will all good news!! It gives me a little bit of hope in this world.
4. Physical media
In the age of digital, I love physical media. I want to see it, and I want to hold it - I want to own it. Now, with all the streaming services, you're paying for something that is still feeding you ads, and they can take it away at anytime. Isn't the whole reason we went from cable to streaming is to avoid the ads? So, I have been buying CD's and DVD's at the thrift. Goodwill has physical media half off on Sundays! I also bought a CD player off of eBay, and I've been loving listening to albums from start to finish again.
5. 90's movies/tv shows
I started watching 90's movies a few nights a week - ones that I saw as a kid like Houseguest, Getting Even With Dad, and Free Willy. They give me nostalgia for a time I'll never get back. If you're on Letterboxd, follow me! I also started watching 90's tv show's I've never seen before. When I was younger I was obsessed with Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and when I say obsessed I mean that I wanted to be her. I made my room resemble hers so closely, and I had the Sabrina's Psychic phone (landline). So, I finished the series because I never knew what happened in the end. I've also been chipping away at Beverly Hills 90210. Again, I loved it when I was younger but never watched past like season 3. In between my BH 90210 binges, I've watched Charmed, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I'm on the last season on Charmed, and its very had to get through. I also just started the last season of Buffy).
6. Non-cell phone photography
I've been shooting on my film camera for years now, but I also recently took my old digital camera out of retirement and put that in my purse too. I love shooting on film - the grainy texture, and not knowing how a picture turned out until you get the prints back is so fun, and something that I really enjoy.
7. Gel pens
I recently bought a bunch of Gelly Roll gel pens from Michaels (you can get 25%-30% off depending on the week). I was obsessed with them as a child, and used them for everything - especially doodling. I have plain, metallic, and glitter, and use them for my journal entries, doodling, writing my to-do lists, you name it. It's just a small thing that makes a little difference, and honestly I think the small things matter the most!
Do you do anything like these to slow down, and have a more 90's lifestyle? Let me know!
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