Ping! Beep! Ring! Smartphones are a constant presence in our world, to the point that it’s hard to imagine a life without them. But some of us can, in fact, remember a time before smartphones — and frankly, it was pretty sweet. Sure, we had to print out MapQuest directions and couldn’t order a product from Amazon with one swift click, but we also had an incredible attention span. Take a look through these photos that remind us of a simper time without doomscrolling or posting photos for likes.
1. No GPS? No Problem
Who knew where we were going? Who cared?
2. Pac-Man Was More Popular Than Wordle
See, not all games are played on your phone.
3. The Mall Was Genuinely Entertaining
Remember when we bought clothes at the mall and not through our phone’s Amazon app?
4. Handwritten Letters in the Mail Made Our Day
We all used to know how to write in cursive. Now we just know how to text.
5. We Visited Attractions Without Constantly Snapping Pics
That’s right. We actually spent time looking at the zoo animals instead of taking photos of them on our phone and posting them to Instagram.
6. Passing Notes in Class Was a Sport
The thrill of receiving one of these folded up notes was unparalleled.
7. Remember Reading Magazines Cover to Cover?
Ah, to have the attention span to read an entire magazine or newspaper.
8. We Took Photos With an Actual Camera
Smartphones take great photos, but there’s nothing that compares to a roll of freshly developed film.
9. Road Trips Required Real Maps
Later, Waze. See ya, Google Maps. We used to go on road trips with just a trusty map and an innate sense of direction.
10. Imaging Waiting in Line Without a Screen
These customers waiting for a Sears to open in 1983 passed the time by — get this — talking to each other.
11. No Need for Earbuds When You’re Listening to Vinyl on a Record Player
Forget Spotify. Music was enjoyed through a record player, Walkman, or CD player before the smartphone took over.
12. Who Remembers Physical Address Books?
Pouring through our address books so we could send handwritten letters was a whole vibe.
13. We Planned for Trips Using Guidebooks
Before scouring Yelp, Tripadvisor, and countless travel websites on our phone, we bought a guidebook to our upcoming travel destination and took out the trusted highlighter.
14. Daydreaming Has Become a Lost Art
Being on our phones constantly has stunted our ability to daydream. Don’t you just want to be bored for a while?
Want to read more about evolving technology?
Don’t skip out on Here’s What People Paid for Cutting-Edge Technology in the ’80s and 9 Vintage Apple Products That Are Still Valuable. You should also check out 12 Old Tech Gadgets That Are Still in Demand.
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