Miss the '90s? Here's What People Would Bring Back
Could you live like it's 1995 for a weekend? People miss wonder, cheap rent, Blockbuster nights, and being offline. Read what they'd bring back and easy ways to reclaim those '90s rituals today.
Miss the 90s - What People Would Bring Back
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The question
If you could bring back one thing from the 1990s, what would you pick? People aren’t picking just one thing — they're picking moods, rituals, and small freedoms that made life feel bigger and simpler.
What folks actually mean
- A sense of wonder and optimism — everyone felt like the future was getting closer and brighter.
- Low housing prices — real estate felt reachable in a way it often doesn’t now.
- Clear moral consensus — people say there was a shared public agreement about basic decency.
- Friday-night rituals — rent the game or movie from a place like Blockbuster, grab a Domino’s, and play late into the night.
- Unplugged life — missed calls, impromptu meetups, letters in the mail, and not being contactable 24/7.
- Airport ease — walking to the gate with friends, not being subject to the post-9/11 screening we now know as the TSA.
- No cell phones, great music, simpler hopes — and for some, a wish to bring back loved ones.
How to bring a little '90s back — without a time machine
Here are simple, doable ways you can reclaim those good bits today.
- Reignite wonder: Pick a small, weekly ritual that points you toward the future — a stargazing night, a museum visit, or learning a new tech skill with optimistic curiosity.
- Unplug intentionally: Try a “no screens” evening once a week. Rent a movie or borrow a game from a friend. Send a real letter to someone you love.
- Bring back communal nights: Host a physical meet-up — pizza, board games, and old playlists. Make it low-pressure and device-light.
- Fight for bigger changes: If housing is the thing you miss, get involved in local housing advocacy or support policies that promote affordability.
- Honor what’s lost: Create playlists, photo albums, or rituals that keep memories alive. That grief and gratitude can coexist.
- Preserve civility: Model clear boundaries and call out toxic ideas. Community norms are built by people — you included.
You don’t need to resurrect a decade to reclaim its best pieces. Start small: a pizza night, a handwritten note, an hour without your phone. Those tiny acts add up — and they feel a lot like the '90s.
Which bit would you bring back first?
