May 21, 2024 | Sarah Ng

29 Clues That You're Stuck In The Past


Do You Miss The Good Old Days?

Just because something is new, doesn't mean it's better. With technology advancing at lightning speed, older generations might prefer doing things the "old" way. 

Should everyone be rolling with the times, or is there something to be said about being stuck in the past?

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You Still Purchase CDs

With streaming services, we now have access to any musician and album we want... but you refuse to hop on the bandwagon. Instead, you prefer listening to your CDs and probably have a pretty decent collection.

Smiling young man with headphones listening to music in CD store for buying CDs and recordsAir Images, Shutterstock

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If You Need To Look Something Up, You Crack Open A Book Or Encylopedia

Google? Never heard of her. You'd rather track down your information from a book, even if it takes a little more effort.

Woman Reading a Book Beside the WindowRahul Shah, Pexels

You Read An Actual Newspaper

In this modern age, most people get their news online or through social media. But that's not how you roll. You still get the newspaper delivered to your front door, and look forward to reading it over your morning coffee.

Person Holding coffee and reading a newspaper.cottonbro studio, Pexels

You Send Cards And Holiday Wishes By Mail

Sometimes a boring text message just doesn't cut it. There's something so special about receiving correspondence in the mail, and you still love the tradition of sending holiday cards.

Person Writing On White Paper cardKoolShooters, Pexels

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You Still Don't Own A Cell Phone

The idea of owning a cell phone just seems like another piece of technology to depend on. Also, who wants to be accessible to other people 24/7?

Young bearded man with a question markKues, Shutterstock

You Don't Use Apps

Who needs WhatsApp and Facebook messaging when you can just dial someone's number and speak to them. It gets the job done so much faster.

Photo Of Woman talking at cellphone.Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels

You Have A Landline Phone

You get bonus points if your phone is corded, but if you have a cordless home phone, you're still included. There's something so reassuring about this guaranteed line of communication.

Young Woman lying on Bed talking on Telephonecottonbro studio, Pexels

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You Hand Out Business Cards

You still believe that giving out business cards is the classic way to share your professional information. It seems more personal and is a tangible reminder of who you are.

Two man are exchanging business card.Portrait Image Asia, Shutterstock

You Refuse To Online Shop

Firstly, you prefer to browse and shop in person. This way you can really get a feel for the quality of a product. And secondly? The internet can be a scary place and you're always cautious about scams. Better safe than sorry.

Senior Man is Looking for Clothes Inside the StoreKampus Production, Pexels

You Have An Address Book Or Write Phone Numbers Down

When someone wants to give you their contact information, you immediately look for a pen and paper. Instead of keeping an extensive contact list on your phone, you prefer to keep everything squared away in an address book.

Woman talking on phone scheduling an appointment in address book.Phovoir, Shutterstock

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You Appreciate Physical Photos

These days, we can save thousands of digital photos into folders and keep them on our computers. But do we ever really look at them? 

You might take a different approach, preferring to take less photos but print the best ones out. There's something so calming about looking through an old photo album.

Person Holding photo album and pictures.cottonbro studio, Pexels

You Still Have Yard Sales

Every few years, you find yourself taping a handmade poster to the telephone poles in your neighborhood. It's time to spring clean and get rid of all your old knickknacks by selling them in a yard or garage sale. 

You still haven't discovered Facebook Marketplace, and don't plan to.

Garage sale concept (Various things placed on table and chairs in backyard)Pressmaster, Shutterstock

You Hire A Travel Agent To Plan Your Vacation

Planning your vacation is far too overwhelming with all the options and logistics. Hiring a travel agent help relieve you of unnecessary stress. Also, you would never dream of using sites like Airbnb.

A Woman and Man Talking in the office.Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels

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You Still Browse A Television Guide

Even though everyone around you insists that Netflix is a godsend, you aren't a subscriber. Instead, you like to take things slow. You look up what shows are on through an old-fashioned TV guide, and you're perfectly content.

African American woman switching TV channelsAndres Ayrton, Pexels

You Pin Up Personal Ads

The internet may be one huge landing strip for advertisements, but you prefer to post your ads on bulletin boards in your neighborhood.

Woman standing near wall with bulletin boardsWhicdhemein One, Pexels

You Use A Physical Map To Get Directions

You need skill to properly read a map and you pride yourself in knowing how to get around without a GPS or Google Maps.

Crop man studying city map sitting on motorbikeArtHouse Studio, Pexels

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You're More Careful With Your Laundry

When it comes to washing your white and darks, you follow the rules. You always handwash your whites, ideally on a sunny day when they can be strung up to dry.

Little hand manually wash white shirtTinnaPong, Shutterstock

You Don't Own A Microwave

Yes, a microwave might be ten times faster, but you still prefer to heat up your dinner or beverage in a pot on the stove.

Woman cooking lunch in light kitchenKamaji Ogino, Pexels

You Organize Your Day Around The TV Show You Love

If you haven't figured out how to record a television show or don't have streaming services, then you have no choice but to make sure you're seated and ready when your television show airs. 

Man with a Bowl of Popcorn Watching TV at HomeAndrea Piacquadio, Pexels

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You Do Your Crosswords On Paper

If you're a crossword lover, the Sunday newspaper might not cut it. In order to get your fix you may have purchased a number of crossword magazines. Sure, you could download a crosswords app, but half the fun is using a pencil and paper.

A Person Solving a Crossword PuzzleBeyzaa Yurtkuran, Pexels

You Sell Your Car On Your Own

When it's time to sell your car, you take matters into your own hands. You simply write down your number on a piece of cardboard and stick it in the front window for any prospective buyers to see.

Close up shot of owner placing car for sale sign board in front of carWESTOCK PRODUCTIONS, Shutterstock

You Don't Pay Your Bills Online

Online banking just doesn't seem secure enough to you. You feel more comfortable doing things the old way—going into the bank to pay your bills in person.

A Customer Paying Using a Credit CardKampus Production, Pexels

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You Carry A Checkbook

Barely anyone uses checks anymore, but you keep one in your purse just in case. There's also something comforting about having a physical log of the checks you've written.

Business man prepare writing a checkIcatnews, Shutterstock

You Have A Vanity Table

While modern girls are more likely to get ready in front of the bathroom mirror, you experience great pleasure from doing your morning routine at your vanity table—a place where all of your products and brushes are neatly squared away and the lighting is perfect.

Long Haired Woman Applying Skin Foundation in a Bright InteriorRDNE Stock project, Pexels

You Commit Phone Numbers To Memory

Some kids these days don't even known their parents' phone numbers. But not you. If asked, you could probably rattle out a dozen of the most important numbers you've memorized.

man in red shirt thinking somethingAndrea Piacquadio, Pexels

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You Ask For Directions

Instead of relying on your smartphone to point you in the right directions, you rely on the kindness of others. If you're in a new city, you wouldn't think twice about asking a stranger for help.

Traveling couple standing on sidewalk with mapSamson Katt, Pexels

You've Hired A Matchmaker

In the era of online dating, you still refuse to swipe your way into a romantic entanglement. You have—or have seriously considered—hiring a matchmaker.

Man and woman's hands having heart object (matchmaking)takasu, Shutterstock

You Have A Physical Magazine Subscription

It might cost less to pay for an online subscription, but you still get a thrill from receiving a physical copy of your favorite magazine. 

Woman Reading Book On BedLeah Newhouse, Pexels

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You Always Use Cash

You feel pretty annoyed that some businesses no longer accept cash—only debit or credit cards. You've always preferred paying with cash, which is risk-free and fast.


Unrecognizable man holding wallet with moneyKarolina Grabowska, Pexels


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