It’s funny when I stop and think about it — do I actually remember life before the internet? Honestly, the internet has always been there in some shape or form for as long as I can remember. Maybe not in the way we know it now, but it’s always been part of the backdrop of my life. That said, it has come such a long way. The internet I first knew was slow, limited, and mostly used on shared family computers with dial-up connections that screamed whenever they connected (and blocked the house phone at the same time!). Today, it’s advanced beyond anything I could have imagined — lightning fast, available in our pockets, and woven into every part of daily life.

But if we shift the focus slightly, I do remember something quite clearly — life before social media.

And for me, that was a blessing.

Growing up without social media meant I didn’t have the added pressure of likes, followers, filters, or online personas. I lived in a bit of a bubble, and looking back, I’m grateful for it. I wasn’t comparing myself constantly to others. I wasn’t scrolling late into the night or worrying about how I looked online. My friendships were formed in person, my memories were captured in photo albums — not in highlight reels.

There was more space to just be. To be a kid. To be present. To make mistakes without them being broadcast or remembered forever online.

While I appreciate all the ways the internet and social media have connected the world, offered opportunities, and sparked creativity, I’m thankful that my younger years were spent without that particular spotlight. It feels rare now — almost like a forgotten way of growing up.

So while I may not have lived completely without the internet, I did live without the constant buzz of social media. And for that little pocket of peace, I’m incredibly thankful.

Daily writing prompt

Do you remember life before the internet?

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