Life Before the Internet: A Time of Imagination and Connection

Growing up in a small town, life without the internet was all I knew. It was simpler in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later. Our days were filled with adventures that required no screens or connections beyond our own imaginations.

Summer mornings began with the smell of dew on the grass as my friends and I raced to meet under the old oak tree in the park. That was our headquarters, where we planned every game, whether it was hide-and-seek or baseball. The rules were made up on the spot, and any disputes were settled with rock-paper-scissors or a coin toss. With no phones to distract us, we relied completely on our imagination and the thrill of the outdoors.

In the afternoons, I often went to the library with

my siblings. The smell of books—the musty pages and worn covers—was like our version of a search engine. I remember flipping through encyclopedias, heavy in my hands, looking for answers to homework questions or simply satisfying my curiosity about far-off places I’d never seen. Borrowing books was like unlocking new worlds, each one a window into another reality. The librarians were gatekeepers to knowledge, always guiding me to the next great adventure hidden in the stacks.

When relatives visited, the house would fill with laughter and excitement. All the cousins would gather, sitting in a circle to play board games or share stories about school. We talked about our teachers, classmates, and the small dramas of childhood, laughing at our shared experiences. There were no distractions during those gatherings—just the simple joy of each other’s company.

Evenings were quiet, marked by family dinners where conversation flowed freely, uninterrupted by notifications or messages. We didn’t have streaming services, so we gathered around the television for the few programs that aired. If you missed a show, there was no replay button; you just waited for the next week’s episode or listened as friends described it at school the next day. But more often than not, we spent those long evenings outside, playing kick-the-can or riding our bikes through the quiet streets until dusk.

During blackouts, which were frequent, we would head up to the rooftop to gaze at the stars. The entire family—cousins, aunts, uncles, parents—would spread out on cots, listening to the soft hum of the night and feeling the cool breeze as we drifted off to sleep. The sky seemed vast, and without the glow of city lights, the stars sparkled like diamonds. Those nights were magical, filled with whispers, laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones.

When it rained, we stayed indoors, playing board games or working on jigsaw puzzles. Monopoly marathons could last for days, and we kept track of wins with scribbled notes in the game box. Some nights, we’d light candles and tell stories, with each person adding new twists and turns. These moments were never rushed, and without the internet, time seemed to stretch endlessly.

At school, we relied on teachers and textbooks, and every research project meant a trip to the library. I remember the satisfaction of flipping through index cards in the card catalog, finally finding the right book. Copying notes by hand was slow but deliberate, and somehow, that made the knowledge stick. We passed notes between classes, written on folded pieces of paper—our version of instant messaging.

Now that the internet has become part of our lives, every aspect of life has changed. What used to take hours of research in a library is now available in seconds online. There’s no longer a need to wait to connect with friends or family—social media and messaging apps allow us to communicate anytime. But sometimes it feels like the more we stay connected online, the more we drift away from real-life relationships. Those family gatherings happen less frequently, as everyone is busy with their own screens.

The internet has undoubtedly made life easier and more convenient. Access to any information, entertainment, or product is just a few clicks away. Work has also become simpler—we can connect with people globally from the comfort of home, learn new skills, and even conduct business.

However, the internet has also introduced new challenges. Many people are becoming disconnected from the real world due to social media and online gaming. Issues like cyberbullying, fake news, and privacy breaches are on the rise. Excessive use of the internet, especially among younger generations, can negatively affect mental health.

The question of whether the internet is good or bad for society isn’t easy to answer. It is a tool—whether it’s good or bad depends on how we use it. It opens doors to information, opportunities, and new relationships, but it’s essential to ensure that technology doesn’t overshadow our real-life connections and relationships. Striking the right balance is key to making the most of the internet’s benefits.

Looking back, I realize the internet has given us a lot, but we’ve also lost some precious things. The slow pace of life, the uninterrupted conversations, and the time spent getting lost in our imaginations—all of these still hold a unique place. We used to stay connected without the internet, through our imaginations and the world around us. Now, we just need to remember that even in this digital age, the importance of human connections and relationships should never be forgotten.