I have a confession: I’m a nostalgic mess—a cheeseball, if you will. More often than not, I feel like I’m living my life attempting to recreate a scene from a Nora Ephron 90s rom-com, with Dreams by The Cranberries as the perpetual soundtrack of my existence. And let’s be real, my love for the ‘90s isn’t just a casual fling; it’s a full-blown love affair.
It goes deeper than my yellowed paperback copies of Meg Cabot’s novels—because, obviously, The Princess Diaries deserves a permanent spot on my bookshelf. And don’t even get me started on my collection of Seventeen Magazine and Archie comics that my mom recycled in some wild fit of organization. BIG MISTAKE, MOM!!
Nostalgia: From Homesick to Heartwarming
Turns out, my nostalgia has ancient roots. The word itself is derived from the Greek words nóstos (homecoming) and álgos (pain). Originally, it described homesick soldiers longing for their faraway homelands. Fast forward a few centuries, and nostalgia has transformed into something indulgent—a longing for a cozy, familiar, slightly idealized version of the past. And honestly who could blame us? Who wouldn’t want to wrap themselves in the cozy glow of pastel-colored gel pens, Lisa Frank stationery, and reruns of Charmed and Dark Angel?
Here’s the thing: my love for the ‘90s is not just mine—it’s something we, as millennials, have collectively embraced and It’s doing wonders for entire industries. It’s making bookstores, stuffed animals, and even DIY projects thrive in ways no one saw coming.
Forget the Club—Catch Me on #BookTok Instead
Take bookstores, for example. Remember when everyone said the rise of e-books would destroy bookstores? Yeah, well, turns out, we weren’t ready to part with the magic of holding a physical book. There’s something so comforting about wandering the aisles of a cozy bookstore, inhaling that fresh-paper scent while clutching a novel you swear you’ll actually read this time.
Independent bookstores aren’t just surviving; they’re thriving, thanks to millennials and Gen Z rediscovering the simple joy of a real-life book—and, oh well #BookTok. TikTok’s literary corner has basically become the modern book club, with reels titled “Books I Would Sell My Soul to Read Again for the First Time.” The music swells, and a manicured hand reveals book covers perfectly in sync with the beat, showcasing one of Sally Rooney’s painfully relatable novels, the 544-page dark academia masterpiece The Secret History by Donna Tartt, or a classic suddenly made cool again, like Jane Eyre or Dostoevsky’s White Nights. A trend I wholeheartedly endorse, because honestly, in the middle of all this modern chaos, don’t we deserve a bit of old-school charm and a viral reading list?
Luxury Teddies: Yes, That’s a Thing!
And then, there's the stuffed teddy market, with a stuffed teddy croissant retailing at 25 bucks! Yes, the world has gone soft for soft toys again, and it’s all thanks to the millennial and gen z’s collective yearning for a simpler time when the world felt a little less complicated. Those cuddly creatures aren’t just toys; they’re stress relievers, and snuggle buddies that help us unwind after a long day of, well…, “adulting.” And the numbers agree: soft toys are now a $12 billion global market and the second-largest category in the British toy market, with sales growing faster than your pile of laundry!
“Onlygrans” Anyone?
Let’s not forget about DIY. Millennials have turned arts and crafts into a legitimate form of therapy—or even a lifestyle—complete with knitting and crocheting. There’s even potential for a business model here: “Onlygrans” where elderly women teach us how to sew, knit and make jam. (Whoever came up with that, you’re cool, man). We’re also seeing craft cafés popping everywhere from New York and Copenhagen to Amman, where you walk in, order a latte, and get handed a craftsy project to work on.
But DIY isn’t just about making something cute. It’s about creating something with your own hands—something tangible in a world where everything else feels digital and disposable. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s also a fantastic excuse to sprinkle more glitter into your life, and really, who couldn’t use more glitter?
Nostalgia as a Blueprint for the Future
So, what does all this nostalgia really mean? It’s not just clinging to the past or refusing to grow up. We’re weaving it into the present, making it a part of who we are and how we live. This love for old-school hobbies is fueling industries, sparking new trends, and helping us reconnect with what truly matters.
So, yes, if you find me sitting in my living room with a pile of yarn, rewatching My Best Friend’s Wedding for the hundredth time while creating something I can proudly say I made with my own two hands, just know this: I’m not living in the past or refusing to “adult.” I’m living in a world where nostalgia is the blueprint for the future, and honestly, it’s working out pretty darn well.