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“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
CuriositiesMAY 8, 2026

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)

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If you had a time machine that took you back to the early 2000s, you’d probably use it—and we’d be there right by your side, with snacks for the journey.
The early 2000s were a vastly different and—arguably—far better time than the endless global crises we face in 2026. Many things that were completely normal and commonplace back then feel rare and luxurious now, and internet users shared the ones they miss the most. You’ll find their nostalgic posts as you scroll down.

#1

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Not having to pay for a subscription for things like... Microsoft Word? You bought it once and you had it. Everything now is in a subscription format. I hate it.
40points

#2

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Calling an insurance company or doctors office or something and being greeted by a human on the other line and not a robot.
30points

#3

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Hanging out with people who aren't glued to their phones.
26points

Millennials, members of Generation Y, are people born between 1981 and 1996. So, when the world rang in 2000 with optimism and hope, the youngest millennials were around 4 years old, while the oldest ones were around 19 years old, stepping into adulthood, going to college, and dipping their toes into the job market.

Though, depending on which researcher you talk to, they might argue that Gen Y can go back as early as 1980 and as late as 2004.

Broadly speaking, millennials are incredibly diverse, start off with less household income than previous generations, and face financial challenges like record amounts of student loan debt and stagnant wages. Members of Gen Y are ambitious and don’t put off things like their entrepreneurial ideas or travel plans. However, older generations might view this in a negative light, accusing them of chasing instant gratification.

#4

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Concerts, sporting events. Used to be somewhat negligible, I was 16 and going to concerts all the time and the ticket price was never something that even factored into whether or not I would attend. Now I’m an adult with way more money than I did at 16 yet concerts are wayyyy more unaffordable for me now than they were back then.
26points

#5

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Appliances lasting 30 years… refrigerator, washer/dryer….
26points

#6

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Owning things. Your home, your music, your software, your media... nowadays you just rent/subscribe and keep paying for everything endlessly all the time without ever owning it. Total scam.
25points

There is no ‘perfect’ period in history that is ever free from all problems. And yet, not all decades are alike. The 2000s had plenty of geopolitical, economic, and social problems. However, they pale in comparison with the permacrisis environment we have found ourselves living in in the 2020s.

On top of that, you have the subjective factor at play here. Many people feel strong nostalgia for the years when they were energetic, carefree, had few responsibilities, and made positive memories. For most people, this is their childhood or youth, though it can be any period of time.

So, with this in mind, it’s not just that the early 2000s seemed like a simpler, happier time to live in. If you are a millennial, you also yearn for the ‘good old days’ when you were younger and the future seemed bright despite the challenges.

#7

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Shopping at thrift stores.

tamborinesandtequila:

Resellers have ruined thrifting. Greed destroys everything on every level.
24points

#8

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
To not have an app that makes every product you buy “work”.
24points

#9

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Quality. Things were better made, better quality, and lasted longer. If I got a pair of Levi’s, I knew they’d last forever and I didn’t pay over $50 for them. I didn’t have to watch out for words or phrases that suggested better quality than what they are (leather was leather, hand stitched really meant hand stitched, and you got ice cream and milk chocolate instead of frozen dessert and chocolate candies).
24points

Have you read through these millennials’ nostalgic posts and upvoted the ones you agree with? Once you have, we’d like to turn the discussion over to you in the comments.

What generation are you, and which decade do you miss the most, and why?

Which parts of life in the early 2000s do you think were vastly better than the current day? On the other hand, what do you value the most about life in the 2020s that the 2000s lacked?

Let us and the other readers know what you think!

#10

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Privacy. Everywhere you go these days someone is filming everything around you. Every one of us is probably on hundreds of other people’s videos, and all of those videos are somewhere in the internet for everyone else to see.
22points

#11

Real wood, not particle board or plywood. Lots of furniture used to be real wood for not that much money, now real wood furniture is an expensive luxury.
22points

#12

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Not being available to anyone at anytime because I wasn’t obligated to answer my phone because it’s always with me.
20points

#13

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Being able to afford a home.
20points

#14

I know this isn't exactly the answer you're looking for but I have to say that it's sadly a luxury for a child to experience innocence and a good childhood nowadays.

With all the wars, hyper specialising and disconnect from reality that children are experiencing, they unfortunately tend to grow up so fast. When I compare my time as a teenager to teenagers today, my heart breaks for them. I used to look like my age while teens nowadays looks so much older. I used to dress and act so innocent like a child should. But children (of all ages) nowadays aren't allowed to act and be innocent for some reason. It's so sad.
19points

#15

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Seat selection included with your regular priced airfare.
17points

#16

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
Boxing day sales where they were genuinely trying to get rid of stock at real discount prices.
17points

#17

Does anyone else just miss the VIBE of our day? Like just 15-20 years ago things felt so much lighter… things felt fun, a little more care free than now. Idk i wish i could explain it better but just thinking about life in general it just felt so much easier even when things were still really hard.
16points

#18

I miss when people didn’t have to monetize every single thing. Nowadays, and yes society has a large blame for this since so many of us are struggling, but people make so much profit on things and the greed is insane. Just watching shark tank, you see how many people’s margins are extremely high percentages. Then occasionally, you’ll see good people who come on the show and don’t want to make huge profit because they have good hearts. The sharks don’t like that, though. And that’s because the world has succumbed to greed, profit, and monetization on everything and anything possible.
16points

#19

Hanging out at the mall.

I despised it at the time, or at least the aura of the act due to how aspirational it was to everyone, but now I find myself wondering what in-person socializing does anyone aspire to? Bring back the friggin mall.
15points

#20

“Millennials, What Is Something That Was ‘Normal’ In The 2000s But Feels Like A Luxury Now?” (75 Answers)
The internet still being locked away to your big robot box at home and not a thing that follows everyone everywhere.
15points
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