1. High School Musical (and basically every other movie and TV show that Disney Channel put out in the early 2000s)
When I think about growing up… I think High School Musical. Alongside Disney's other legendary shows and movies like Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Camp Rock, High School Musical is debatably one of the most epic products of the early 2000s. Even though I am approaching adulthood at an alarmingly fast, I catch myself reliving my childhood via the HSM soundtrack way too often and I'm not sorry about it.
2. Silly Bandz
This plastic phenomenon took my middle school and the rest of the world by STORM. Long gone but not forgotten are the days that everyone would wear these up to our elbows and gossip about the rare pack that you can only get on the top of the empire state building.
3. Razor Scooters
We all had a love/hate relationship with these guys. One minute you're speeding down the street, the coolest kid in school and next thing you know you're carrying it back inside and catching the bottom of this deadly swinging contraption to the ankle. Game over.
4. Team Edward vs. Team Jacob
Okay, admittedly, I never read the Twilight series, but this everlasting debate was still a crucial one for me. Mysterious, ghostly god Edward or chiseled, fierce Jacob? Will either side ever win? Absolutely not.
5. Crocs (and Jibbitz)
Alongside the beloved Heelys, Crocs were a must have back in the day. The Jibbitz you adorned your pair with provided the trend with a creative twist, letting you style your crocs to your liking. Individuality at its finest ladies and gentlemen.
6. The iPod Nano
Before the iPod touch took over the universe, the only thing that could make you cooler than someone with a razor scooter was an iPod Nano. the ability to make playlists and shuffle through your songs on the go with the touch of the finger was all the rage…the only problem was deciding which color to rock.
7. Uggs
I think every single girl got a pair over the holiday break the year of 4th grade. Whether you wore the light cream color or the chocolate brown, with a pair of skinny jeans, a tank top, and a crochet sweater you were good to go.
8. Drake and Josh
I had to save the best for last. Blessing us with their spectacular dynamic and simply legendary one-liners, this show trumped all others. Drake and Josh…you will be remembered until the end of time.
Whether they strike up nostalgic memories or utter annoyance for our generation, we all know we secretly miss these silly trends.
To The People Who Have An Opinion About Everything, No One Asked You And No One Wants To Hear It
Maybe if you stopped commenting on every little thing you'd actually get some peace (or at least I would).
Sorry, but someone had to say it. No, I'm not talking about the important, life-altering opinions people have. I'm calling out people who feel the need to explain their opinion on every word you utter. Not everything that someone says needs to be analyzed, dissected and spit back out. Sometimes people just say things and there is no existential meaning behind them. If I say that I like the color green, I'm sure someone could come up with a reason why I shouldn't.
But the real question is why? Why do some people feel the need to expend so much breath on opinions that don't matter? It's rather humorous because the same people that would fight you over why or why not green should be your favorite color, probably don't have much to say on the real problems that our world faces. This kind of person doesn't give their opinion because they're knowledgeable or because they actually care about what you're talking about, it's because they want to be right. Well, guess what, you can't always be right and more times than not, you're wrong. And that's okay, but some people can't grasp that concept. It's okay to admit you don't understand something or that you aren't knowledgeable on a subject to make a comment. If you start just commenting on topics and situations that they have no idea about than you might end up in some trouble.
Personally, I think that the best way to judge whether you should add your opinion is asking yourself whether your opinion will be useful to the conversation. If you just stating it for "shits and gigs" maybe refrain from saying it. Hanging out with friends shouldn't be filled with arguments over mundane things or disagreements about topics that really don't matter. Who cares if someone likes Marvel over DC? Salty over Sweet? Jacob Black over Edward Cullen? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that does not mean you have to give it every time (or that I want to hear it). So sometimes just learn to shut up. Maybe I'm being a little harsh but honestly, I don't care. I swear some people talk just to hear their own voice in their ears.
Focus your energy into discussions, topics, and problems that actually matter. Fight for others who don't have a voice, rather than spitting out random bullshit about the pros and cons of eating gluten. We are so lucky to have the ability to express the opinions we have and to act on them. So many people around the world leave in fear because of their beliefs and opinions. We need to appreciate the rights we were fortunate enough to get and use them to help others. I'm not saying that every opinion you have has to have some great solution or view on the world's problems. Just next time you open your mouth, just think whether it's necessary to add or are you just doing it because you can.
So shut up or don't. Listen to me or roll your eyes at this article. I really don't care, because you see I don't have to have an opinion on everything someone does. I have found peace in being able to just listen. It's nice to not have this compelling urge to state some random thought that popped into my head. I enjoy hearing what others have to say and when I want to I'll comment or add to the conversation. You don't always need to be the center of attention and most importantly, you don't always need to be right.