Being young is cool. I thoroughly enjoy it. I like the fact that I can knowingly make dumb decisions and people let it slide because of my age. I love that I can party until dawn and still make it to class a few hours later. I absolutely adore the fact that I can still ask my parents for money without seeming like a total failure.

I can’t help but think that being young in a different time would have been more fun, though. I get that we’re fortunate for all of the technology we have now, but to be honest, I’m not really feelin’ it. I personally think I would have enjoyed life more a few decades back, in a simpler time: the 1980s!

Here are eight reasons I wish I had been a young person during the ‘80s.

1. Cool clothes.

The trends were extremely varied by each individual’s personality, so I made this collage to display some of my favorite fads from the decade. Personally, I would like to wear every single outfit here. They all look ridiculous, and I’m like, totally obsessed.

2. Sweet hair

First of all, the whole “sleek and chic” thing is really getting old. In the ‘80s, frizzy was tubular. The bigger, the better.

3. Best music of all time.

I am writing this while listening to an ‘80s playlist and haven’t felt this happy all week. I love Adele and Fetty Wap as much as the next person, but there has not been a song released in my 20 years of existence that makes me feel something as much as “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners. Don’t even get me started on the perfection that is ‘80s rock music (Pictured: Guns ‘N Roses).

4. Best movies ever made.

Let’s see… "Top Gun," "Ghostbusters," "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink," "The Outsiders," "Sixteen Candles," "Back to the Future," "Stand By Me," "The Shining."

Those are just the ones I could think of off the top of my head. If you disagree with me here, that’s fine, but you can eat my shorts.

5. The fitness fads were far more entertaining.

I don’t need to say much about this. Just watch this short video of an ‘80s aerobics class and try to tell me that doesn’t look better than p90x.

6. Public school was more than a long-term babysitter.

Kids were actually being prepared for life. They could walk to school without being considered “neglected.” Schools offered real driver’s ed and sex-ed classes. Kids weren’t forced to give Valentines to every kid in the class just to keep other kids from being left out. Students still respected their teachers and feared their parents if they were disciplined at school. Man, it sounds wicked tight, doesn’t it?

7. The future was less scary.

For young people in the ‘80s, the future seemed so bright. It seemed as if there was money to be made in nearly every industry. Granted, those kids were probably many of the same adults who were laid off nearly a decade ago, but, still, I’m in a place in my life where I simply never want to finish college because the real world doesn’t seem too promising right now.

8. People weren’t using any excuse to publicly lash out about everything that offended them.

There was no Facebook or Twitter to expose the latest scandal at any given moment. Sure, things were still happening all over the world, but no one really knew about them. And you know what? People were generally happier. Just look at how happy these guys are.

As you can see, the 1980’s were totally bitchin' (Did I mention the schweet slang?).

In conclusion, I would like to request the development of a time machine. Thank you.