What did we used to do before we could just scroll on our phones?

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Rude-Gap-4816@reddit

books, big long baths, cinema, stayed at work late to learn new stuff, talked crap on a landline for hours..

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Have you ever met a music nerd? You know the sort that have catalogued thousands of albums, know of countless niche artists and genres nobody heard of, and constantly seek out fresh and exciting (and often experimental) music projects, well... it's an activity (or hobby) for them.

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Status-Customer-1305@reddit

Wonder what the alien concept of anxiety is

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Status-Customer-1305@reddit

Read shampoo bottles.

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ForeverDreaming89@reddit

As a older teenager/young adult I used to get told off by my parents for scrolling my phone of an evening, rather then just staring at the TV like they were.

Now I'm in my 30s, when I visit them I'm always putting my phone down, as I don't live with them anymore, I'm visiting so I've come to chat and catch up. They are now in their 60s and spend a lot of my visit with their heads in their phones, even with my kids there to talk to.

Doesn't go well if I pick them up on it though.

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geeered@reddit

Scroll on computers.

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Wretched_Colin@reddit

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IDKBear25@reddit

Reddit ain't as bad as Reels and Facebook reels are.

Gingy2210@reddit

Which didn't take long!

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Antique-Primary-2413@reddit

I remember the incredible thrill of C5 launching. Actually it got me into baseball. Curse you, C5.

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FerretChrist@reddit

Ah me too, good old Sir Clive!

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spriteinabluecroc@reddit

I used to stay up 'til the early hours of the morning to watch baseball on C5, got me hooked on it too!

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Antique-Primary-2413@reddit

Bloody loved that show. I fully blame Gould and Macklin for me travelling to Cleveland Ohio three times. I thought "I'll be a glory hunter, the Indians are my team!"

Oh dear.

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FunnyVehicle7664@reddit

I used to get such a thrill when there was was morning television during the school holidays. C4 launch was a big deal, Brookside, the Tube, Comic Strip Presents, and those edgy red triangle movies where someone might say fuck or show a nipple.

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OreoSpamBurger@reddit

In Scotland we always had to wait 2-3 weeks for the holiday morning tv to kick in because we broke up earlier.

Then later we got our own summer holiday programming, but it was a bit naff.

I remember as an older kid, coming back from holiday with my sister and parents. Mum bought the TV guide at Kate's Bridge service station and we read it for the next 10 mins. My sister and I loved it 🙂.

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InsurancePurple4630@reddit

Family affair! Loved that soap!

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Antique-Primary-2413@reddit

Didn't they eliminate the entire cast in a canal boat explosion?

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brumav78@reddit

I watched it when the Harts were in it but found it hard to keep up as it went on. Real life got in the way 🙄

I always really wanted Sky, all my friends watched Nickolodeon and The Disney Channel, while I was stuck with Milkshake or CiTV. Was buzzing when we finally got Freeview and I could watch 8 Simple Rules and Sally Jessie Raphael after school.

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unstoppabledot@reddit

I did not grow up rich at all (ma worked in fast food, dad as a factory operator) and had sky tv. Looking back now what an absolute privilege and luxury my parents gave my childhood to be able to watch Disney channel.

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hayesian@reddit

My mum once cancelled our sky subscription because she didnt like how much I watched Cartoon Network. We somehow still had the box and card(?).

Turns out CN was a free channel and all the had done was cancel the channels she liked 😂

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Or played Beehive Bedlam.

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FootballAndBicycles@reddit

Beehive Bedlam, Bumble Tumble, Fathom, and Tumblin' Monkeys.

I remember my dad paying for the day pass or whatever for Sky Games or PlayJam occasionally so we could just play on the Sky Box all day

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taltallytalia@reddit

That game was PHENOMENAL!

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BarryLawyer@reddit

It is on the app store

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You can finish a newspaper. You can't finish your phone. Infinite scroll is the real curse.

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FLICKING THROUGH A MAGAZINE IS NOT THE SAME AS SCROLLING ENDLESSLY ON TIKTOK.

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EvilSandWitch@reddit

There are more things than TikTok on your phone.

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IDKBear25@reddit

But what else are you endlessly scrolling on mindlessly!!!!!?????????

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EvilSandWitch@reddit

In my case, Apple News, which is much better than flicking through Autotrader or Closer magazine.

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IDKBear25@reddit

Flicking through Autotrader doesn't count.

That doesn't count.

At least most of the stuff is tailored to your interests.

Short form video app algorithms are cancer and will show you anything and everything.

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Revolutionary_West56@reddit

It’s the scrolling on your phone and social media that everyone hates being addicted to, not reading things digitally

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kpr1969@reddit

Go out and meet people face to face to find out what’s going on in the peoples lives you actually care about… god I miss those days

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TheUnSungHero7790@reddit

Methylchloroisothiazolinone

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catdog_man@reddit

Made foam bath letters lots more fun.

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officialbassman@reddit

I can never find the letters I need but this guy… lmfao

lem0njelly103@reddit

Lanolin, linalool

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FPL_Clown@reddit

Haha, I can relate to that, usually if I forgot to take the paper in.

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I’m not against using my phone/tablet as a lot of those activities have moved onto it for me, but I do try to keep my social time down.

I'm the same. Outside of gaming, my laptop usage has dropped significantly over time as my phone took over more and more of those tasks.

I've actually found I read more now I've primarily moved to ebooks and audiobooks on my phone. Rather than having one paperback book in my bag when I leave the house (that may get soaked through if it rains heavily), I have a wide selection and can listen to one while multitasking. If I have a 10 min wait somewhere I open up a book that's easy to pick up and put down. If I don't fancy anything I have on me all it takes is connecting to the internet to access anything in my digital library

frankchester@reddit

Stared at our feet while waiting for the bus. Had a race between rain drops in the car.

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pokaprophet@reddit

Underwear pages in the catalogue was a good time as a kid

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Ok_Direction2834@reddit

I go without my phone for hours at a time by volunteering at a community theatre. It's a self-imposed rule because I always switch it off / put it on silent on my way into the building in case I forget just before the performance. If there's a lull I read the playscript or programme, chat to someone, look through the props room or go and make a cup of tea. It's helped break the habit of scrolling in my free time at home. The only downside is the theatre has a Whatsapp group and I get told off for not checking the chat 😆

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FanWarrior1730@reddit

Swimming, walks,... Played with lego.. Climed trees, explored outside... Met up with friends at cafes, visit the cinema, read books.. I personally organised shelves of videos.. Then dvd's.

Have a wank.

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Plenty-Anteater4695@reddit

Sat in the only place that had wifi to play the best games ever

Who remembers putting your crushes name in the love scale game to see how compatible you were😅 making me feel old

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DamoclesBDA@reddit

Played snake, on our Nokias.

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forgetmenotjimmy@reddit

Snaaaaaaaakkkee!

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bludotsnyellow@reddit

Watch TV, watched dvds, played games on websites on my laptop or desktop

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https://youtu.be/Lb458ATRByc?si=KADg6SturXygMlDD this

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lalagromedontknow@reddit

Exactly what I thought lol

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alltorque1982@reddit

I remember when my secondary school got Encarta CD roms. Blew my little mind.

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Pirated half the internet, then watched it.

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Ah the gameboy.. I still got mine with my pokémon ruby cartridge, fun stuff lol

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_kipling@reddit

Same, original grey one I was given in 1992!

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_o0Zero0o_@reddit

I've got the purple one

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LowLegitimate5420@reddit

Minute Cryptic is the best, have you tried it? Good ratio of brain hurt to reward

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CarrowCanary@reddit

Do you know about ThinkyGames? They mainly cover puzzle games and stuff, but they also have a daily puzzle.

As someone 40 worrying about this... I used to read books, listen to the radio, watch TV and play computer games.

Glycol stearate and ethylhexyl triazone walk into a bar...

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ambergriswoldo@reddit

I used to do a lot of art and drawing, lego, sewing, reading books

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dod_murray@reddit

Rewatch whatever you have on VHS, again

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OreoSpamBurger@reddit

Well I'm off school sick again, will it be Excalibur, Return of the Jedi, or the Goonies this time?

I miss having proper downtime where I can listen to music. Not have it on while I do something else, just sit down and properly listen

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AmsterPup@reddit

Made up random facts casue they cant be checked...

"Remember when Wesley Snipes was in Fair City?"

"No way,...

"Yeah, guest spot for 6 eps... had fisticuffs with Bella & Mondo

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uncle_monty@reddit

I've had a small bookcase full of books that can be flipped through next to my toilet since I was a child. Stuff like an Atlas, a book on the history of the monarchy, a book full of interesting churches, a couple of books about art movements, Schott's books, that type of thing.

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Ro0z3l@reddit

I read entertainment news on ceefax, digitzer (a gaming ceefax page), I'd buy gaming magazines like Official Nintendo Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine (for the pics and demo desk), Edge Magazine (for good reviews). Also before they demolished the building my huge town market was housed in (and never restored it), there was a stall that sold imported American gaming mags.

There used to be a gaming programme called...oh I forgot 😂 cyber something I think. It played at like midnight or last midnight, so you'd have to set you VCR's timer to record it, then watch it in the morning before school.

Sometimes I'd read a bit of the newspaper, or rarely a book. I'd look things up in the family encyclopedia (a lot of families felt obliged to own an encyclopedia).

I would doodle or a bit more detailed drawing. I watched a lot of comedy. BBC 2 had a good comedy night with The Fast Show, Red Dwarf, shooting stars, Nevermind the buzzcocks. The family would watch Only Fools and Horses together.

As a child we'd go out and play, build forts, carve sticks for "fighting", just potter about riding bikes and exploring the woods. Some kids I knew liked collecting things like football stickers and cards like Pokémon or magic the gathering. We even played top trumps sometimes!

A friend and I had a comic book series about two guys on silly adventures or reflections of day to day experiences we had.

I had weekly Karate class.

As I got older I took up guitar lessons. I read the occasional manga, go to gigs for local bands or bigger names, go to local comedy nights, swimming (which you already do). Also liked to just sit or lay down and listen to a whole album all the way through to give it proper attention. I had a little club for a while where we'd discuss an entire album every few weeks.

I know people now who like working on their cars or bikes, little projects like messing with arduinos to automate things in their home. I know two people who repair broken hoovers and lawnmowers respectively, resell them online.

Maybe take up a hobby that is easy to pick up and put down? I know people that paint, sew, knit, write film reviews for fun, draw on tablet art software (it's a screen but it's productive and good for the brain), play chess or other board games (we play tabletops sometimes or dungeons and dragons).

In the old days people used to play chess by phone, and games could last days. (Chess isn't my thing though)

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999hologram@reddit

I recommend getting a crypto portfolio. Gives you something to check than social media lolol.

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Metrobolist3@reddit

Out and about maybe listen to music, read a book, read the newspaper, be bored.

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Key_Barber_4161@reddit

I think I'm just naturally addicted to distractions. When I was a kid I would obsessively read, even when the lights were turned out I would put on audio cassettes. Then when I was a teenager I became obsessed with TV, 24 sky TV was amazing to me, I would stay up till early in the morning just watching QVC or late night quiz channels. Now I scroll endlessly. Looking at the patterns in my life I can see it's not the media thats the problem, it's how I obsess over it.

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TheMarvelMunchkin@reddit

Same - I think that’s the real issue… we always had distractions and things to keep you “inside” instead of “outside socialising”

My mum used to complain of me bringing a book to a family reunion or spending too much time listening to music on my Walkman and watching TV

AcanthisittaFit1066@reddit

Well, have sex and raise kids. Put energy into irl relationships. That's the weird, tragic part. Some IRL pastimes like going to the cinema are out of fashion or too expensive to do more than a few times a year. Even exhibitions and museum ticket prices have spiralled. Concert tickets are dearer in real terms too.

The not-so tragic part is that these days it's easier than ever to pick a book, newspaper or radio show/podcast up. Exercise seems more in vogue and talked about than it was before and there's more support if you want to go it alone. Educating yourself informally is less challenging.

XabisMission@reddit

Read the shampoo bottle on the toilet

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Unknown-Librarian664@reddit

Look up TJ Power, The DOSE Effect - great insights, neurological understanding and solutions for stopping cheap dopamine scrolling habits

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Unknown-Librarian664@reddit

P.S. Reading, creativity, socialising.

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JackXDark@reddit

Stack of Calvin and Hobbes by the khazi.

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ivysaurs@reddit

I can literally remember the boredom I had come summer holidays, before I had a mobile phone and before phones had social media.

What I did was jump through TV channels trying to find something to watch, or I read a book, or played video games. If I was really bored, I'd knock on my friend's door and ask if they could come out to play 😂

Read. My handbags used to be bought on the basis of fitting a paperback book. Now I can carry a library on my phone.

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potatan@reddit

I’ve finished my breakfast so now I’m just scrolling on my phone. Before I got up to make breakfast, I also scrolled on my phone

Parklife.

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Nolascana@reddit

In the bathroom - puzzle books. No, seriously, a sudoku or other puzzle that can be done relatively quickly so youre not in there for hours.

Knitting or crochet while watching something on TV to keep your hands busy.

xStevo88@reddit

Ahhhh you're a brainrot consumer, just delete the apps. Use technology to your advantage and develop yourself, learn a new skill, do some sort of DIY job. I was only having this conversation yesterday - todays generation just a bunch of devoid zombies with real minimalistic social development because they just sit on a screen all day. Technology is incredible when used correctly with the right level of "downtime" to enjoy yourself such as gaming (for example).

Nothing worse than with a group of friends (adults) and you have that one gimp that cannot put their phone down, be present in conversation and life itself! My advice is to delete any brainrot apps, all social media and develop yourself further. Alternatively if there's that much downtime go outside, exercise, walk, sit, maybe volunteer in the community, go to the library, community centre etc.

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sinkh0000le@reddit

Im 33. I'd befriend strangers on MySpace.

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volvocowgirl77@reddit

Before my phone I would read the paper in the morning. Now I flick through TikTok

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My attention span was incredible. I'd go to the cinema and watch a three hour movie and not get remotely bored. (I remember seeing Contact in the cinema with some friends and we all thought it was ace. Watched it recently on Netflix and had to pause it several times for a break... And couldn't believe how slow moving it was. Great movie... But definitely of it's time).

Whilst having a shit you took a book or read the shampoo label.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

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DeapVally@reddit

Watched TV. Read a newspaper on the train/bus. Went down the pub to socialise (before that got expensive as well).

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Upper-Eggplant2679@reddit

Wank a lot. Oh, wait.

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IDKBear25@reddit

SCROLLING VIDEOS ON A PHONE IS NOT AN ACTIVITY.

they’re all still there but scrolling is easier

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Lunastarfire@reddit

Miniclip

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Sugarlips_80@reddit

Read, walk, have conversations with friends, family, partners, listen to music, take part in a hobby, join a spical group, sit and think/ self reflection, be bored (active boredom is an art most of us have lost), exploring your local area and having min adventures, self improvement (exercise, learning, research etc.), cooking - either in general or learning a new recipe or cooking skill, learn a new skill the list really is endless.

The problem for some (or indeed a lot, nowerdays) of those activities is that we use our phones or computers to learn, read, listen to music etc. so we never truely escape.

Read books and magazines; create art, models, music, food, electronic circuits, or computer programs; cleaning, tidying, and ironing.

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PooCube@reddit

Play Pokémon

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Fun_Reply5366@reddit

Poke the tip of a pencil into an eraser

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CraftyWeeBuggar@reddit

House work, pre smart phones we cleaned the house... now we live in squalor whilst scrolling...

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Wrong-booby7584@reddit

Sunday papers.

Growing up in the ‘90s I’d be:

Out with friends, either playing football or bikes
Going round friends’ house and playing MegaDrive/N64/PlayStation
Going swimming with friends

I’d spend time cleaning, reading, redecorating, building stuff, learning new hobbies, actually watching something on tv rather than having it as background noise with my phone in my hand.

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lem0njelly103@reddit

Even then though, I used to "scroll" through random settings menus and god knows what else just for something to look at

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dnf1957@reddit

We read books or newspapers, magazines were very popular especially for hobbies, cycling, gym, health and fitness etc. Now its all online. TV was very different also. Imagine saying to someone in the 1980s or 1990s, one day you'll have all the information you need and can phone someone on the other side of the world with a small black object in your pocket? We all thought back then we had fantastic technology.

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jackdawow@reddit

Go visit the Pitt Rivers museum, you’ll see…

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GardenDuck88@reddit

Read books and magazines, did drawings and paintings, listened to the radio, and actually just say there and listened. Wrote letters. Cleaned the house. Watched TV, and actually sat there and watched. Took care of plants. Played with my pets. Went for walks and watched where I walking instead of staring down at a screen. Took care of small jobs like cleaning out my drawers, fixing small things that were broken. Cooking.

.... Before "Lad-Bible" killed them off, I'd be reading / flicking through FHM/Nuts/ZOO/FRONT or some other glossy magazine with page 3 girls plastered all over it.

All while flicking between Scuzz and Kerrang on the tele.

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Apsalar28@reddit

There was a lot less free time before the Internet.

A normal weekend when I was a teenager in the 90's was.

Go into town first thing to buy newspapers.

Parents spend a few hours reading the paper and kids watched Saturday morning cartoons.

Have lunch then head out shopping for anything you couldn't get in the local town which would take most of the rest of the day.

Go home, have tea and then watch what ever was on TV.

Phones are dull and boring. I usually spend less than half an hour using mine per day.

I avoid the big social media platforms apart from Reddit. But I deleted my Reddit account every year.

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Time_Tax_8699@reddit

For me it was still lots of other handheld distractions. Tomy Pocket games, Nintendo Game and Watch & Gameboy, Books, Magazines (The Face, Loaded, Future Music) and on Sunday just loads of newspapers with the supplements - would take all day to read.

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jizzyjugsjohnson@reddit

I think it’s easy to forget how much dogshit TV people just used to sit and stare at , or have on in the background just to fill silence. Now we don’t need it

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Gloomy-Commission296@reddit

Before phones took over, when in the bathroom, I’d sit there reading the shampoo and body wash bottles — I probably knew every ingredient off by heart.

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h00dman@reddit

Teletext.

Before I continue, how the hell is Teletext already in my phone's autocorrect???

Anyway, I would spend the beginning of every Saturday morning looking at Teletext.

First I'd read the news, then I'd switch to one of the noticeboard pages and read what people were saying.

I caught myself doing this, so I have removed myself from social media except Reddit, but even then I will set a timer if I’m sat doing not much so that it gives me a little nudge to realise I’m spending too much time on my phone screen.

Since removing from social media I’ve started reading more books, going for jogs and walks, and have actually made a dent in the house renovation!

Now, my timer has four minutes left out of the ten I set it on - I made a shortcut to activate it. It’s a good little nudger to say “oi, stop doom scrolling!”

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DifferentWave@reddit

I rewatched This Life recently and noticed how people would sit down in that shared living room and pick up a magazine or newspaper to fidget with.

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Revolutionary_West56@reddit

MSN Messenger

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I used to read a lot. And we always had magazines and newspapers in the bathroom. I did the puzzle page in the middle. I used to be able to sink hours into a gameboy as well before scrolling broke my brain being able to concentrate on one thing for very long.

Read a book. Buy a newspaper.

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