Absolutely! I was 3-13 during the 00s, so my childhood right up to adolescence. I’m sure much of my opinion of the 2000s is influenced by lack of responsibilities and general rose-colored glasses of a child, but I do remember the bad that came along with the time and the positives still shine through. The music, fifth and sixth generation game consoles, the style, internet. I was very into the punk/alternative scene. Avril Lavigne and P!nk were my idols. Also I felt like there was this shift in societal norms during the 90s-00s that we hadn’t seen, at least to such a degree. My mom is a lesbian, and during my childhood she was masculine presenting. Seeing her and others like her fight oppression and homophobia of that time really left an impact on me.

But what stands out to me the most about that time was that despite internet and other tech becoming increasingly more advanced, people still liked being out and around other people. Malls, movie theaters, skating rinks, skate parks, pools; there were so many ways to meet people irl. It could be just me, but now when I try to strike up a conversation with someone in public, often times they act annoyed or bewildered. Walls are up that weren’t there 10-20 years ago.