Ah, the 2000s—an era of low-rise jeans, flip phones, and dial-up tones that could drive you insane while also being a source of bizarre comfort. If you grew up in this golden age of chunky highlights and frosted tips, you’ll definitely vibe with this blast-from-the-past list (and love our new These Candles Smell Like The 2000's collection). Grab your Capri Sun and let's take a stroll down memory lane!
1. Tamagotchis
Your first real taste of parental responsibility, complete with the trauma of watching your digital pet “die” because you forgot to feed it.
2. Flip Phones
The most dramatic way to hang up on someone? Snap that phone closed with flair.
3. LimeWire
Where you risked your family computer’s life just to download "Hot in Herre" by Nelly.
4. AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)
Crafting the perfect away message was a true art form. Bonus points if it included a cryptic lyric from Dashboard Confessional.
5. Heelys
Shoes that doubled as skates? Revolutionary. Also: a great way to accidentally faceplant.
6. The “Bratz vs. Barbie” Debate
Were you a fashion-forward Bratz stan or a loyal Barbie fan? No in-between.
7. “You’ve Got Mail” Notifications
The dopamine hit of hearing those three magic words: "You've got mail."
8. MySpace
Your first foray into coding? Customizing your MySpace page with glittery GIFs and a Fall Out Boy song autoplaying.
9. Livestrong Bracelets
The accessory that said, “Yes, I care about causes. Also, I’m cool.”
10. Blockbuster Fridays
Picking out a VHS or DVD was the highlight of your week. The smell of popcorn and plastic cases is ingrained in your soul.
11. The Motorola Razr
The most coveted piece of tech before the iPhone era.
12. Napster Lawsuits
The reason you thought Metallica was the bad guy.
13. Lisa Frank Everything
Your school supplies were aggressively colorful and leopard print.
14. “TRL” on MTV
Who else rushed home to see if *NSYNC or Britney Spears snagged the top spot?
15. Emo Bangs
A rite of passage for angsty teens. Extra points if you used a straightener to perfect the swoop.
16. “Lunchables Pizza”
The gourmet meal of your childhood.
17. Silly Bandz
Trading these rubbery bracelets on the playground was basically an economic system.
18. “Laguna Beach” Drama
“Is Kristin better than Lauren?” was the 2000s equivalent of asking “Is water wet?”
19. Club Penguin
Where you learned how to socialize…and how to get banned for saying “fart.”
20. “Harry Potter Midnight Releases”
The only time you willingly stayed up past 9 PM.
21. “Pop-Punk Bands”
Blink-182, Paramore, and Good Charlotte gave you all the feels.
22. “Furbies”
Simultaneously adorable and nightmare-inducing.
23. “Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards”
The OG flex in the cafeteria.
24. “Crazy Frog”
That one ringtone you could never un-hear.
25. “Frosted Lip Gloss”
The shinier, the better. Bonus if it was flavored.
26. “Avril Lavigne’s Tie Phase”
Made you want to raid your dad’s closet for accessories.
27. “Tech Decks”
Tiny skateboards that consumed your entire recess.
28. “Beanie Babies”
The “investment” your parents swore would make you a millionaire.
29. “Bop It”
“Twist it. Pull it. Shout in frustration when you lose.”
30. “The ‘Cha Cha Slide’”
Left foot, let’s stomp! A mandatory school dance anthem.
31. “The Sims”
Where you learned how to micromanage lives…and how to remove a pool ladder for dramatic effect.
32. “MTV Cribs”
Where you saw celebrities’ houses and thought, “Why do they need that many fridges?”
33. “Puka Shell Necklaces”
The ultimate surfer dude or wannabe aesthetic.
34. “Polly Pocket”
The tiny clothes were both amazing and infuriatingly hard to put on.
35. “Text Speak”
“LOL, brb, ttyl!” Texting was practically another language.
36. “The ‘Macarena’”
The dance that transcended all generations.
37. “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”
“Sing to me, Paolo!” Enough said.
38. “VHS Rewinding Machines”
Because you were a good person who didn’t leave tapes un-rewound.
39. “Hollister’s Dark Stores”
You walked in for a polo shirt and walked out smelling like cologne with a migraine.
40. “CD Burners”
The OG mixtape machine.
41. “Blue Eyeshadow”
The boldest beauty trend of the decade.
42. “Trapper Keepers”
Your entire life, neatly organized in one overly decorated binder.
43. “Blocky Cartoon Network Shows”
Ed, Edd n Eddy, Dexter’s Lab, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. What a lineup.
44. “The Nintendo DS”
PictoChat was the original group text.
45. “The ‘Twilight’ Phenomenon”
“Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?” was a legitimate personality test.
46. “Sk8er Boi”
You knew you were the girl Avril was singing about.
47. “Juicy Couture Tracksuits”
Nothing screamed luxury like rhinestones on your butt.
48. “Scooby-Doo Fruit Snacks”
The blue ones were elite.
49. “Crocs (Pre-Irony)”
You actually wore them unironically. Comfort over fashion, right?
50. “The Britney-Madonna Kiss”
The pop culture moment that made you go, “Wait, what?!”
Feeling nostalgic yet? Share this with your fellow 2000s kids and start planning your next AIM reunion (if only it still existed). Oh, and remember: It’s not a phase, Mom!
