It's easy to look back a few years ago and reminisce on how life used to be so much better than it is today (especially considering our current political situation). Nostalgia is often accompanied by rose-colored glasses — it beckons in a way of thinking in which we remember all of the good, and conveniently forget any of the bad. But, honestly, with the threat of nuclear war looming over our heads, President Donald Trump's tweetstorms causing controversy after controversy, and one major natural disaster after another, 2008 isn't looking so bad right now. It's hard to even imagine what it was like back then, and all the ways life was different 10 years ago — but looking back is definitely a fun ride. Remember when "tweetstorms" wasn't even a word?!
Sure, 2008 might not always seem that far away, but the world was a very different place back then. The fashion may have been questionable (there were so many regrettable trends that do not need to make a comeback) and we had yet to be blessed with so many technological advances, but hey — there is a lot to be said for that year. Our political situation was looking a whole lot more hopeful, and as far as the entertainment world went, we were watching some seriously good bad TV. This is also the year that gave us the option of wearing leggings as pants, and who can be mad about that?
If you're ready to escape 2018 a bit (I don't blame you!), take a trip down memory lane and remember what life was life 10 years ago:
1. We Spent All Our Free Time On MySpace Instead Of Instagram
This is a screenshot of what is supposedly Kesha's old MySpace profile and it's definitely not far off from what many of our profiles looked like. Top eights, flashy backgrounds, a lot of weird selfies... MySpace definitely paved the way for Instagram.
2. We Watched The Hills Obsessively And Everyone Basically Wanted To Be Lauren Conrad — Or, At Least, Copy Her Style
If you weren't watching this MTV reality show from the time it premiered in 2006, then what were you watching? Even if you didn't want to admit you were tuning in, it was hard to resist the drama of Lauren, Heidi, Audrina, and Whitney's glam lives in Los Angeles. L.C. was basically my role model! Don't judge me!
3. Lady Gaga's Pop Reign Was Just Beginning
Lady Gaga was just arriving on the pop scene, and after releasing her classic hit that is "Just Dance" (no arguments), she released "Poker Face," which quickly became one of the biggest songs of the year.
4. Everyone Was Doing The "Single Ladies" Dance
Speaking of music, Beyoncé's iconique "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" was all anyone could sing or dance to. Who still remembers that dance?!
5. The Vampire Obsession Was Real
The first Twilight film premiered in 2008, and Edward and Bella became everyone's guilty pleasure. HBO's True Blood was also one of the biggest TV shows of the year.
6. Kanye's Fashion Legacy Was Shutter Shades
Today, Kanye West is a fashion designer known for luxury athleisure pieces and his impossible-to-find Yeezy sneakers. In 2008, though, West was known for wearing shutter shades. I had several colorful pairs due to his influence. I do not know why. You literally couldn't see out of them.
7. Fashion Accessory Trends Were, Uh, Interesting
Accessory trends included, but were not limited to, giant belts, giant sunglasses, brimmed beanies, trucker hats, and giant headbands.
8. Our Version Of Athleisure Was A Juicy Couture Velour Tracksuit
If you didn't own a Juicy Couture suit in at least four different colors, then were you really a person?
9. Liquid Leggings, Fringe, And Gladiator Sandals Were 90 Percent Of Our Wardrobes
Let's just say that 2008 was an interesting time for fashion and leave it at that.
10. Oprah Winfrey Was Just Starting OWN
Of course, Oprah was still hugely popular (was there ever a time when she wasn't?!), but things were still different. At this year's Golden Globes ceremony, Oprah was awarded the prestigious Cecile B. DeMille for her achievements. In 2008, she was just starting the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Go girl!
11. We Were All Obsessed With BBM Instead Of iMessage
Yeah, iPhones existed, but they didn't yet hold the allure of BBM... aka, BlackBerry Messenger. Also, everyone had a Blackberry.
12. Taylor Swift Still Wore Her Hair Long And Super Curly
Taylor Swift in 2018: nude jumpsuit, pixie haircut, and a fierce attitude.
Taylor Swift in 2008: tight curls, pastel dresses, and an "OMG I won?!?!" surprised face.
13. We Used Digital Cameras For Our Mirror Selfies
Remember when we didn't store every single photo on our phones because they didn't have that much storage space and the quality was so low? Remember when we actually uploaded photos into Facebook albums? The year 2008 was all about the tiny digital cameras instead of phone cameras — and yes, that is me in the photo above, wearing a very 2008 Abercrombie & Fitch shirt, striking a very MySpace pose.
14. Facebook Had Bumper Stickers
Believe it or not, there was once a time when Facebook was all about updating our friends on our whereabouts via constant status updates, and posting an endless amount of bumper stickers on each other's walls. We also had full-fledged conversations through back-and-forth commenting!
15. Instead Of Instagram filters, We Used Our MacBook's Photo Booth
It may seem inconceivable, but there was a time that Instagram filters weren't readily available. Instead, we had fun with our pictures by playing around with the effects on our (or our friend's... or the Apple store's) MacBook Photo Booth app.
16. Our President Was Barack Obama
Remember when we didn't feel embarrassed about our country?! Remember when our president was this amazing man?!
17. Binge-Watching Was Not A Thing
You ordered Netflix DVDs and had to wait for them to be delivered like a commoner rather than being able to stream whatever movie or show you wanted. See? There were negative things about 2008!
18. YouTube Looked Like This:
Soooo, that's weird.
19. Guys Were Doing This To Their Hair
A truly great time for style!
20. And, Of Course, We Thought This Was The Best Song In The World
Boots with the fur? Come on, you still love this song.
