10 Signs You’re A Millennial Through And Through
Us millennials had a very memorable childhood which was nothing short of iconic. I may even say that I feel nostalgic for the memories I have built. I invite all the millennials to take a break from adult life and look back at how far we have come since the days of getting grass stains and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
1. The Internet
The World Wide Web wasn’t what it is now. Rather than being a social media hub, complete with amazing graphics and HD everything, it was only coming along. We all remember the statuses and stickers we used on MSN messenger; The cringy, adolescent memories may fade but never truly disappear.
Dial-up internet was also a thing. The sound it made may have been piercing but was it worth it to play dress up games? Possibly.
2. Tapes
All millennials remember VHS and Cassette tapes.
This era taught us one main lesson: patience is a virtue.
The younger generations will never understand the struggle of rewinding tapes to the beginning or taping live content. It was not a vintage aesthetic for us to romanticise, it was our life.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers visiting VHS rental places or listening to the radio and recording the songs onto a cassette. It was a very different time. Sometimes it is good to look back and remember where we came from.
3. Harry Potter
This book birthed more than just a generation, it birthed a culture of witches and wizards worldwide. If you never read/watched Harry Potter, if you never cast a spell, if you never agonised waiting for the next instalment in Harry’s story, were you even a millennial?
Harry Potter was more than just a story of a boy wizard fighting bad guys. It taught us that friendship is important and we should all be looking for friends who are supportive and lift us up to be the best we can be. It taught us that we should practice bravery and challenge the things in the world which we see as wrong and an injustice to people. It taught us that good will triumph evil; even though it may feel hopeless, even though you may feel defeated, evil cannot win.
Harry Potter was ahead of its time. It will go down in history as a classic that will be passed on through generations.
4. t.A.T.u
They might have entered the music scene at the end of the 90s but I’m sure we all remember the way they shook the world and left our parents fearful.
The memories of All The Things She Said are ones we will never forget. The song is bound to show up on every 90s throwback playlist you can find. It’s both a classic of the era and controversial.
The duo promoted lesbian content and took on large television networks with their queer music and famous kisses.
Later we came to learn the pair were not, in fact, lesbians or even together. They released multiple albums together before parting ways. Rumours of a new album have come and gone for the past few years, however, they cannot seem to rekindle their friendship to make a comeback work.
The t.A.T.u lover in me will forever cherish what they did for us.
5. Fashion
There has been a very strong resurgence of 90s fashion in the mainstream lately and my millennial heart is living for it.
We all remember the iconic check ensembles by our Clueless queen Cher Horowitz. Not only were they a must have back then, but we are also eager to let them have their moment in the spotlight once again.
Animal prints and velvet have also made their comeback and some might argue that the 90s were simply not ready for such an innovation. Sometimes seen as being a little tacky, we have now mastered the art of taking tacky and making it fashionable by not caring what others think.
However, I am thrilled to be past the skirts over jeans trend. RIP to a trend that should not return.
6. Top Of The Pops
If you grew up in Britain, you probably remember Top Of The Pops.
Music shows are one thing I truly miss about the 90s. There is no longer a place for artists to come and just perform. The art of performing isn’t what it used to be anymore and neither is the music industry.
Top Of The Pops brought out all the stars to promote their new singles to the waiting crowds. It was essentially a source for new music before the digital age took over and made content available online for everyone to access.
Although it may be easier to be living in the age of technology and easy access, there is something unique about the simplicity of having a bunch of artists come on a show and promote their singles in the battle for number 1 on the charts.
7. Cartoons
Us millennials remember Arthur and Spongebob before meme culture caught up to them.
It was a simpler time. Cartoons did not try to keep up with pop culture, they just told tales relating to school, family and friendships; with some moral lessons sprinkled in here and there.
If your childhood fell in the 90s you probably remember shows like Rugrats, Arthur, The Wild Thornberry’s, Scooby Doo, and Recess to name a few.
You probably remember waking up early on weekends to catch your favourite cartoons and racing home from school to catch them on weekdays. Your childhood was built upon these beloved characters and the joy they brought.
I could go on all day about how much I loved 90s cartoons. Maybe it’s time to have a marathon!
8. Groups
All millennials remember the popularity of boy groups and girl groups. From the Spice Girls to the Backstreet Boys to Destiny’s Child, they all had massively impactful careers and made everyone want to be in a group of their own.
They inspired fashion trends, they provided era-defining music, and they captured the fanfare that comes with groups to this day and age.
The Spice Girls went international with their music and appeal, each member representing a unique personality. Destiny’s Child pushed Beyoncé into the limelight where she began leaving her mark on the industry before going solo. And who can forget Backstreet’s Back (Alright!).
If you were one of the people who knew all the dance moves and wanted to be the Beyoncé of your own girl group, I applaud you.
9. Woolworths
Woolworths was the place of childhood dreams.
It was the ideal place to buy everything a child could ever need.
The new Barbie? Woolworths. Books? Woolworths. Pick n mix? Woolworths!
It was a tragic day when Woolworths announced they would be closing down (very similar to the recent Toys R Us closures).
I will never forget the music I bought, pick n mixes I ate, and my first Christmas tree.
10. Your first phone
No kids, it was not an iPhone.
Millennials might remember having a house phone, might even remember having a house mobile (typically a Nokia brick), but you can never forget the moment your parents decided you were old enough to be trusted with your own phone to be used for emergencies.
You felt responsible. You felt grown up. And that is when you said hello to your very own flip phone!
The younger generation will never understand the struggle of having to record a song to set it as a ringtone or the classic games we played to pass the time. Texting was extra challenging with a T9 keyboard.
However, they were a lot more durable!
