Picture it: you open your eyes and your phone isn’t on the nightstand—because it doesn’t exist. The dial-up tone is still a few years away from invading your parents’ kitchen, and the hottest tech in your bedroom is a VCR flashing 12:00. Redditors recently shared the very first things they’d do if they found themselves waking up in the 90s, and their answers hit every nostalgic nerve. We pulled the best ideas to create a perfect 1990s starter itinerary.
1. Program the VCR to record Star Trek
One Redditor’s top priority would be setting the VCR timer so they never miss an episode of Star Trek.
2. Ride your BMX to the town pool
Hopping on a BMX bike and pedaling to the local pool with friends earned plenty of support.
3. Sigh with relief and go back to sleep
Some readers said they would simply smile at the lack of notifications and roll over for more shut-eye.
Just imagine that no one can ping, DM, or slack you. Pure bliss.
4. Check the newspaper to figure out the year
Grabbing a newspaper to confirm the exact date felt like detective work straight out of a time-travel movie.
5. Rewind the micro-cassette in the answering machine
Before voicemail, tiny cassette tapes held everyone’s missed calls—rewinding and listening was a daily ritual.
6. Call a friend on the landline and yell “Pick up!” while the machine records
Timing your shout so a roommate would grab the handset saved you from leaving a message.
7. Sprint to Blockbuster for the last copy of Jurassic Park
A quick dash in a neon windbreaker to reserve Jurassic Park at Blockbuster was essential weekend prep.
8. Feed quarters to the mall arcade
A round of Street Fighter II, a slice of Sbarro, and life was good.
9. Blast Nirvana on a yellow-cased Walkman
Strapping on foam headphones and hitting play on Nevermind set the perfect 90s vibe.
10. Buy Apple stock while it still costs lunch-money prices
Investing early in Apple ranked high on the practical to-do list.
11. Buy every domain name that might be worth something in ten years
From toys to tech, early digital real estate felt endless.
12. Scoop up first-edition Pokémon card packs
Mint-condition Charizard cards promised future riches—and playground bragging rights.
13. Hit the skatepark, then catch Nirvana or Pearl Jam in a 500-seat club
Tickets were 13 bucks, parking was free, and memories were priceless.
14. Spend the afternoon lining bedroom walls with band posters
15. Meet friends at the food court for an Orange Julius
No texts required—just show up at 3 PM like you said on the landline the night before.
16. Record a mixtape off the radio (hoping the DJ stays quiet)
Timing the record button to catch the song intro was an art form.
17. Cruise downtown in a friend’s brand-new Geo Tracker with the top off
18. Settle in for TGIF on ABC—Full House, Family Matters, Boy Meets World
Friday nights revolved around sitcom marathons and microwave popcorn.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’d rush to Blockbuster, rewind an answering-machine tape, or simply soak up the silence, the most common reaction from was pure joy at being unreachable. Maybe that’s the lesson: sometimes the best connection is no connection at all.
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