The Return of Old-School Hobbies

Why does it always seem that trends come back 20-plus years after they fade? A lot of our trends in today’s society have adopted trends that were common when our parents were in high school and college. Whether it was scrunchies in the 1990s and early 2000s or today’s disposable cameras, digital cameras or vinyl records, trends continue to make their way back into everyday life. This points to a larger trend: younger generations are attracted to things from the past.

Part of the appeal may be that these older trends offer something different from what younger generations are used to. In a world where so much of daily life revolves around smartphones and social media, using a digital camera or listening to a vinyl record can make an ordinary activity feel different. These trends also allow younger generations to experience parts of the past that they may not have experienced themselves.

Generation Z can almost feel nostalgic for the 1990s or early 2000s even though many weren’t alive then or were very young. Movies, music, TV shows and social media have given younger generations a glimpse into what life was like during those time periods.

For Jocelyn Kilber, a sophomore at NDSU, the appeal of another time period comes from what she wishes she could have experienced. Kilber says she wishes she could have experienced what life was like before phones and technology became such a common part of everyday life. “I wonder how friendships and relationships would be different if people didn’t have the communication over social media that we have today,” Kilber said.

Specifically, TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram have all played a role in bringing these trends back into circulation. When influencers post a video or picture of themselves wearing some type of retro clothing, suddenly thousands of people are interested. As social media brings attention to these trends, they can quickly become a part of everyday fashion, music and lifestyle choices.

There is also something interesting about students choosing physical forms of media when so much of our lives are digital. Spotify and Apple Music give students millions of songs instantly, but students still buy vinyl. Phones have excellent cameras, but students still use digital and disposable cameras. Some students find that using a digital camera gives the photos a distinct and aesthetic look.

Music is a main area in which this return to the past can be seen. I have also found myself drawn to older music over much of what is popular today. I enjoy the sound, lyrics and overall feeling of music from past decades, making the music from the past more wholesome. While music taste is subjective, there is something about older songs that makes them feel timeless.

For some NDSU students, enjoying older music also means bringing back older ways of listening. “I like to listen to my music on vinyl because it brings an older vibe to the music, which makes it a lot more enjoyable for me to listen to personally,” freshman Tristan Pope said.

While vinyl may have a more personal meaning for his parents, who grew up with records, Pope said he still enjoys the experience of listening to his own collection.

As younger generations continue to bring back older trends, the appeal goes beyond clothing, music and photography. For some students, looking toward the past is not only about the trend itself, but also about finding a way to slow down and disconnect from technology.

Whether it is listening to vinyl records, taking pictures with a digital camera instead of a phone, or even imagining what friendships were like before social media, these interests reflect a curiosity about what life was like before everything became digitized.

Even as technology continues to evolve, older trends remain a way for students to connect with the past while making them their own!