15 Things People Born After 2000 Will Never Understand

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Step into a time machine and relive the nostalgia of bygone eras. From dial-up internet woes to recording VHS tapes, we will unravel the quirks and charms of life before modern conveniences. Join us on a journey through the forgotten moments that shaped childhood memories, which people born after 2000 will never understand.

1. Having To Delete Text Messages 

Cell Phone, Text Messages, texting
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Remember those days when we had to delete text messages religiously? Back then, our phones were like treasure chests with room for what felt like only ten messages at the max! There is no endless chat history, just constant pruning. We've got gigabytes of space today, but it's a nostalgic reminder of simpler tech times.

2. Having a CD Binder 

CD Binder
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Let's hearken back to the era of the CD binder. Imagine flipping through a massive collection of discs just to find your favorite tunes. It was like holding a musical library in your hands but with limited physical space. Nowadays, streaming services give us limitless choices, but those binders have a special place in our memories.

3. Losing Your Internet Connection When Someone Picks up the Phone

Talking on old phone
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Yes, the good ol' days of the internet and landlines! Remember the frustration when someone picked up the phone, and your internet connection vanished into thin air? Someone having to make a call while surfing the web was a real-life tech hurdle we faced. Thankfully, times have changed!

4. Getting Viruses From Downloading Songs

A person using a computer mouse.
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Downloading songs back in the day was a risky endeavor! You'd spend hours patiently waiting, only to discover it was a virus in disguise. That mix of excitement and disappointment was a true rollercoaster. Today's downloads are much safer and virus-free.

5. Using Paper Maps

Cheerful African American Family Looking At Road Map Sitting In Car. Parents And Daughter Choosing Destination For Summer Road Trip Together. Local Tourism Concept. Selective Focus
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Back in the day, hitting the open road meant arming yourself with paper maps. No GPS, no Google Maps—just old-school navigation. There was a method to deciphering those folds and legends; it was a journey within a journey. Today's GPS may be more convenient, but those map-reading skills? They're a lost art.

6. Not Having Wi-Fi

Desktop computer
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Imagine a time when Wi-Fi was just a dream. In a single-computer household, that lone device was the gateway to the digital world. It meant waiting your turn, sometimes for hours. Today, we're all wireless, but those days built patience and resourcefulness.

7. Getting up To Change the TV Channel

Retro tv
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At this point, it's safe to say that people born after the 2000s take the remote control for granted. It used to be that you had to get up and manually turn a dial or press physical buttons. No remote control magic, just exercising in between shows. Today's remote-controlled comfort is a stark contrast to what we used to have to do.

8. Memorizing Phone Numbers

Portrait of a pensive casual girl looking away at copy space isolated over white backgroun
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In the pre-digital age, we were human phonebooks. Memorizing phone numbers was a necessity, not an option. It's hard to fathom now when our phones effortlessly store every contact. But those digits, engraved in our minds, were a testament to our memory prowess and personal connections.

9. No Cell Phones 

woman worrying, trying to be punctual with anxiety checking time on watch
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It's hard to picture a world without cell phones, where plans were set in stone. You had to stick to them; no last-minute changes, no texting to say you were just around the corner. It meant being punctual and reliable, a time when plans were as solid as oak.

10. Finding Good Reception for the TV by Holding the Antenna in the “Right Spot”

Old Television, TV, Antenna
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Getting good TV reception used to be tricky. You'd stand there, holding the antenna just right, trying to catch that elusive signal. It was a delicate dance between technology and patience. Today, with cable and streaming, we've left those antenna acrobatics behind.

11. Calling Your Crush's Landline

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Remember those nerve-wracking moments of calling your crush's landline? You'd hope they'd pick up, but if someone else did, it was code time! Secretly chatting, avoiding noisy parents' ears, and trying to play it cool. Today, it's all about texting, but those clandestine conversations were unforgettable.

12. Using a Pencil To Fix Cassette Tapes

Cassette Tape, rewind, music, unwind
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When cassette tapes were a thing, music lovers had a DIY trick up their sleeves. When the tape got tangled or twisted, the standard pencil became a savior. Slowly turning that spool to rewind the mess and restore the music was a common but oddly satisfying ritual. It was a hands-on connection to our tunes that today's digital age can't quite replicate.

13. VHS and Recording Live TV 

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In the age of VHS, recording live TV was a mix of excitement and frustration. You'd set the timer, cross your fingers, and hope no one changed the channel, as you had to make yourself okay with recording the commercials as well. Today's streaming services offer convenience, but those VHS recording days were filled with a unique sense of anticipation and accomplishment. 

14. Smoking Candy Cigarettes

Candy Cigarettes, Nostalgia
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Who can remember experiencing the innocence of childhood when smoking candy cigarettes made us feel oh-so-cool? We took our cues from the adults, puffing on sugary sticks, thinking we were all grown up. It was a rite of passage in our youth, a sweet memory of trying to be just a little more mature than we were.

15. Experiencing the Harry Potter Books and Movies Simultaneously 

Harry Potter Book Release
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Growing up with Harry Potter was magical! We eagerly awaited each book release, queuing up at midnight, dressed as our favorite characters. Midnight movie premieres were an event uniting fans worldwide. Those moments of shared excitement, enchantment, and growing up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione are cherished forever.

Source: Reddit.

Entertainment Writer at Wealth of Geeks | + posts

Creshonda Smith is a creative writer that thrives on learning something new everyday and sharing that knowledge in a way that captivates others. She has 15 years of experience as a freelance writer for various companies, but she was previously a Clinical Social Worker, having obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The Ohio State University. After nearly 10 years in the field, she decided it was time to return to one of her childhood passions—writing that inspires. Creshonda will tackle any topic, but she prefers lifestyle articles centered around Health & Wellness, Parenting & Family Advice, Food + Drinks, Personal Growth, and Traveling. She has four beautiful children and has been married for a decade. Her favorite hobbies include traveling to anywhere there's a beach, reading, writing, and playing UNO! Creshonda has been a contributing writer for Wealth of Geeks since June 2023.