Emily Flores
Anyone pulled out of the 1920s and dropped into 2025 would probably stare at our habits like they’d stumbled into a magic show run by slightly chaotic time-travelers. Ordinary routines feel calm to us but downright bizarre to them. Let’s walk them through our “normal” world and see how many times they’d faint.
Talking Aloud To Invisible Assistants
Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri respond instantly when people ask questions or request tasks. These systems understand natural speech, control lights and appliances, and even retrieve information on demand. So imagine explaining to your great-great-grandfather why you just asked your ceiling to add milk to your shopping list.
Working Remotely With Global Colleagues
Office workers in the 1920s clocked in at a specific building every day, while international business dealings required patience and postage. Communication crawled along through telegrams that cost real money per word. With laptops and WiFi, people now switch countries more often than their grandparents switched jobs.
Publicly Rating Strangers’ Homes and Services
Rating a stranger’s home or service online has become routine behavior. People once relied on recommendations from folks they actually knew or from formal publications. What’s wild is how anonymous reviews from across the country now carry more weight than a neighbor’s trusted advice.
Choosing Not To Have Children And Saying It Proudly
What really sets today apart isn’t just skipping parenthood—it’s the confidence in that choice. A century ago, such a decision came with whispered apologies and pitying looks from neighbors. These days, folks wear “pet parent” shirts and openly celebrate their freedom.
Divorcing Quickly and Starting To Date Again Immediately
Divorcees once hid indoors for years before considering romance again. The “respectable” waiting period stretched indefinitely, with society watching every move like hawks. Now, someone can finalize papers on Friday and have a dating app profile by Saturday. Speed has replaced shame in relationship transitions.
Leaving Stable Jobs Simply Because They’re Unfulfilling
Leaving a steady job just because it feels unfulfilling shows a new way of thinking about work. Many people take the risk to find jobs that inspire and challenge them. In the end, being happy at work can matter more than sticking with what’s comfortable.
Cutting Ties With Toxic Family Members On Purpose
Ending relationships with family members who bring harm or stress can feel intense, but it’s often necessary for peace of mind. People make this choice to protect their well-being and create healthier boundaries. What might be considered harsh generations ago is actually a way to prioritize emotional health and personal growth.
Living Alone Without A Partner
Affording your place showed you had money. Yet living there without a spouse made people question what was wrong with you. The contradiction was strange: capable of paying bills, yet somehow failing to find a partner. These days, that same self-sufficiency earns respect without needing a relationship attached. Your financial independence speaks for itself.
Sharing Personal Feelings Publicly On Social Media
You wouldn’t discuss marital problems with your own siblings, much less random acquaintances in the 20th century. Privacy meant protecting your reputation by keeping troubles tightly contained within four walls. However, millions now broadcast relationship updates and mental health journeys to anyone with an internet connection.
Taking Extended Sabbaticals Or “Gap Years” As Adults
Only the wealthy could afford to stop working, and even they didn’t advertise it as self-improvement. Regular folks grinding through life viewed any pause as pure laziness or financial irresponsibility. Sabbaticals today appear on resumes as assets rather than red flags to potential employers. What screamed privilege has morphed into respected life planning.