15 Things From the ’90s and ’00s Millennials Want Back

Regardless of the generation, many Americans look back on the past when they were young as some of the best years of their lives. From CDs and rental DVDs to the all-too-familiar noise of dial-up internet, there’s a lot to be nostalgic about from the 1990s and 2000s.

Mindfully American gathered the ’90s and ’00s things we think millennials (and Gen Z) miss the most.

1: Playtime Is Over 

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Many formerly beloved toys from the ’90s and 2000s are now discontinued. Case in point? You’ll be hard-pressed to find toys like Transformers and Tamagotchi on store shelves.

2: No Fake News 

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Politics has always been a dicey topic, but many would agree it was much less toxic in the ’90s. Back in the day, people could disagree and have their own opinions with less of a chance of the opposing person thinking they were a bad person.

3: Life of the Party 

Neighborhood party.
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Get-togethers were often more connected affairs in the ’90s and 2000s than they are now. The reason? Social media wasn’t around or as big. Since people didn’t keep up on a daily (or hourly or minute) basis with each other’s lives, it was often more of a novelty to meet up with friends and relatives back then.

4: Don’t Call 

Woman on the phone at work.
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Being reachable by phone 24/7 isn’t all it’s made out to be. In the ’90s and the 2000s, it was harder for bosses to track down their employees for after-hours work, and the feeling of not always being able to be contacted was a freeing feeling that younger generations have a hard time fathoming.

5: Shop ‘Til You Drop 

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Remember when shopping malls were the ultimate place to be? Despite the conveniences of online shopping, it’s natural for many people who lived through the ’90s and 2000s to miss indoor shopping malls, complete with stores like Sears and EB Games.

6: Pain and Age Gain 

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Most of the items on this list are subjective, but this one is most definitely not: Anyone who lived through the ’90s and 2000s is older now than they were then. Naturally, some people miss their younger bodies, which were perhaps equipped with better health.

7: Affordable Living 

Old home in South Carolina.
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It’s no secret that everything has gotten more expensive in recent years, let alone since the ’90s. Back then, it was easier for people to afford to live a comfortable life. By the time the 2000s came around, middle-class families were already losing ground on living an affordable life, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

8: Boxed In

Woman looking at her phone.
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While smartphones have improved in cameras and operating systems, you can’t slam your phone shut after a call anymore. It would have been laughable in the ’90s and 2000s to buy phone protectors to prevent a broken phone in the event of a small fall.

9: I’ll Be There For You 

Woman watching TV.
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Spoilers were much harder to come by on television in the 1990s and early 2000s. There was something about knowing that millions of Americans were watching the same show for the first time at the same time that made it extra special.

10: Enjoy the Show 

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Gone are the days when people held up their lighters at concerts. While that’s probably in everyone’s best interest health-wise, nowadays, people use their phones in the same scenario. But it goes beyond that. It can be difficult to enjoy a concert when there’s a sea of smartphones in front of you recording it.

11: Bye Bye Blockbuster 

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Endless scrolling through countless options on Netflix has some people missing the age of video stores. There was something so satisfying about browsing through Blockbuster to pick out a Friday night movie or two. And with fewer movie choices, picking out movies was easier too.

12: Game On

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Arcade video games used to have much more substance in the 90s than they do now (when you can even find them). Claw machines and bad ticket games abound compared to the past.

13: I’m Lovin’ It

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If you lived through the ’90s, you likely remember the McPizza, which was developed in the ’80s and ran until almost the 2000s. Originally, McDonald’s served an entire pizza pie directly to one’s table. They then shrunk their McPizzas to personal sizes before doing away with them altogether.

14: Old School Sports

Man playing soccer.
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Sports don’t always feel as fun as they used to in the ’90s and 2000s. Even soccer had more flair to it than it does now, though many Americans may not mind it.

15: No Scrubs 

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Music from the ’90s and early 2000s was a melting pot of distinct sounds that left some Americans longing for it to come back. It was a wild ride being able to turn on the radio and go from Santana to Boyz II Men to a famous rock artist at the time.

24 Old-Fashioned Candies That Need To Make a Comeback

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From childhood classics to forgotten chocolates, these treats bring back memories of simpler times. Rediscover the joy of beloved confections that deserve to make a comeback.   

24 Old-Fashioned Candies That Need To Make a Comeback

15 Things From the ’50s and ’60s That’ll Make You Nostalgic

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People who lived through the ’50s and ’60s will (mostly) appreciate remembering these forgotten things from the era that deserves a shoutout. 

15 Things From the ’50s and ’60s That’ll Make You Nostalgic

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