I’m sure every generation feels that life was best when they were young. The music was better, fashion trends were better, the movies were better, and the overall lifestyle was simply better than today’s styles and trends.
Being born in the mid-80s, I obviously don’t remember very much about that decade, and kind of always felt 80s styles were mostly horrible (although I do love the comeback of leggings) and there is certainly a solid list of great 80s songs.
Mostly I grew up in the 90s and that is the decade I relate to most. The music was certainly better, and I often find myself switching the radio from current hits to 90s hits. My children’s names are even inspired heavily by pop culture from the 1990s.
Whenever a song by the alternative rock band Bush comes on, my husband and I are quick to remind our seven-year-old son Gavin who he was named after. Usually he just rolls his eyes at it, although I do think one day he will realize how awesome it is.
We decided that it’s probably best to wait until our youngest son, Brodie, is well into his teenage years to show him the inspiration for his name, considering the movie Mallrats isn’t quite appropriate for a three-year-old.
Last week, I took my sons to watch a movie in town. That’s when I realized my appreciation for the 80s and 90s wasn’t just a result of me feeling like I was getting older and finding the need to reminisce about the good ol’ days. Nearly every preview for the new movies coming out was reminiscent of my childhood.
I’m actually pretty excited to bring my own kids to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in the theatre, and even joked that we should invite their great-grandma to come with us since she was the one who brought me to see the original movie over 20 years ago.
I remember how much she hated the movie, and cursed about how ridiculous it was. Looking back, I realize it was probably because everything was better when she was growing up, and the thought of mutant ninja turtles seemed totally absurd.
I’m sure she will think the newest remake of the Ninja Turtles is equally silly, but she may actually appreciate another new movie that is coming out and also reminds me of my childhood – Paddington. Although making a move based on Paddington Bear kind of goes against my theory that the 80s and 90s were the best decades since it was around much longer than that, it does prove that no matter the decade, some things are meant to stand the test of time.
So while my own children may be baffled by the thought that I actually enjoyed playing with a Lite-brite and watching Jem and the Holograms, I’m thankful that at least some of my favourite fads from my childhood appear to be turning into classics – even if that happens to be goofy green turtles.
