The 90s, the 00s, and even the early 10s. What is it that draws me to those eras?
I'm a 02 kid and still remember quite a lot from my childhood. Playing with my Monster High, Toys, Playstation 1 and 2 of course the Nintendo DS, the world wide web back then and most of all the togetherness and people around you not constantly looking at their phone screen. When I now look at my way young siblings (9 and 10) I feel sad that they don't have that experience. They come home from school and ask for the phone or TV remote to watch YouTube or Netlfix etc. They've been doing that for a lot of year now and never really been interested in toys. I see kids their age walking around with the newest smartphones. Luckily they don't have one at least somethin is going somewhat OK. My dad doesn't have that addiction, the social media addiction, but my mom… I'm scared to look at the hours she spends on watching TikToks. Whenever I talk to her, it's like talking to a wall. I just miss the times when life wasn't about so many social media consumption, my brain rots because of it. I am constantly comparing myself to others and constantly feeling dissatisfied with myself. That's why I want to get back to living like the nostalgia eras. Or at least adapt some activities from that time. I will keep track of this journey an my thoughts during it by posting blogs on here. I don't need Instagram and definitely don't need YT shorts or TikTok. I'm going to remove unnecessary media consumption and live more in the moment and take it slow.
These will be my rules for now:
- Declutter phone to basic apps.
- Listen to music trough CDs or iPod (this one I've been adapting for a while already)
- Take pictures with digicam instead of phone - No social media access except Tumblr, Pinterest and YT (no shorts tho!). Also, only allowed to access these trough my PC.
- No use of any AI chat (just google it like the old days)
- For phone games only allowed to keep FGO, as FF7 Ever Crisis and HSR are also available on my PC. And if I ever want I'm allowed simple games like snake. But i probably won't need this, since I have enough handhelds I can use to game on the go.
- Write down a list of hobbies and pick one you will focus on each week.
Setting up Panasonic Let's Note CF-SZ6 (Recreating Windows 7 on 11) (part 2)
Firefox customization
Right click the toolbar and click menu bar to toggle it on, if you want the top menu bar as well. I really think this adds to the older nostalgic look imo.
So it's better to do this without the theme enabled but this is how I organize my toolbar. You can simply drag and drop to how you want it to look. If you also want the title of the page and Firefox to show, enable it by click 'title bar' in the left bottom corner.
The theme that I thought got closed to the nostalgic without messing with the CSS is the 'Classic Blue' theme. It's available under the Firefox themes.
Extensions I currently use are:
Classic Mode for Wikipedia
uBlock Origin
Okay yea… thats actually it for now, I found a classic YT UI extensions but it doesn't work anymore, so… that's sad.
Other Little Extra's I did:
Custom Icons
I got quite some from this reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/windows7/comments/139v9nq/comment/jj45n4p/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
And devianart for the standard programs: https://www.deviantart.com/cheemster/art/Windows-7-Ultimate-OEM-Icons-115957469
Easiest way to change Icons, is by creating a shortcut on your desktop, going to properties and change the icon option should be there.
For desktop icons like the bin you can follow this official Microsoft tutorial: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/customize-the-desktop-icons-in-windows-c13270f0-3812-c71d-f27e-29aa32588b20
Discord Theme that I found, its like MSN: https://github.com/not-nullptr/Aerochat/releases
Winamp Legacy version!
https://winamp.com/
Windows Encarta 2009 - offline dictionary/encyclopedia: https://archive.org/details/microsoftencartapremiumedition2009
My (hopefully) complete application list:
Windows Encarta
Windows Media Player (Legacy)
VLC
Discord (MSN theme and discord with old icon for unsupported functionalities)
Steam (with old icon)
Microsoft Classic Games Collection
VSCode (bc I also want to use this pc for coding my HTML Neocities page)
GIMP
WordPad
Winamp
Firefox
iTunes
Winaero, SoundPackager, WindowBlinds11, Start11
I might've bought some physical games as well (a blog post will eventually be made for that one)
I hope you enjoyed reading this two part blog post about customizing windows 11 to look like windows 7. I hope it was helpful for people who are also planning on doing it. If you have any questions you can always ask we, I am happy to help if I know the answer.
Setting up Panasonic Let's Note CF-SZ6 (Recreating Windows 7 on 11) (part 1)
How it started
So the cool retro looking laptop I've been talking about has finally arrived! The things I love about this laptop are the disc reader, round mousepad, the keyboard and the shell. Also not design related but it is really lightweight, so really portable. Eventhough it looks quite old, it's had modern hardware. Intel Core i5 7th gen, 1TB SSD, Windows 11…. I was thinking of booting Windows 7 on it but thats unsafe, especially since I am planning on going online with it. So I used various tools to make the laptop look as much as Windows 7 as possible. For now this blog will show you how far I've come with that. I might make this in more parts since it's pretty long ~
I should mention that some of the downloaded applications/tools I used are paid.
Start11 (available on steam, sometimes on sale)
WindowBlinds 11 (available on steam, sometimes on sale)
Winaero Tweaker
SoundPackager (Stardock, currently on the 30days free trial, will see if I like it or not)
Start11 & WindowBlinds 11
So I basically started with probably the simplest which was editing my Windows theme. It's not perfect but it definetly gives a lot of the Windows Aero look which I really love. I was thinking of doing either XP or Aero. But for now it will be Aero/Windows 7.
The theme I used in WindowBlinds is Aero 11. And in Start 11 I selected the windows 7 start menu. I also changed some searchbar settings and taskbar settings to my liking. For the searchbar I enabled windows 10/7 style with small icons and for my taskbar I turned on the enhancement feature. Here you can also tweak a lot of customizations to your liking.
SoundPackager
So whilst I was searching for Windows 7 themes etc. I came across a soundpack which basically is the windows 7 system sounds. Tbh after a few days now, I'm not sure if I notice a lot of changes with this yet. Or if it's really worth the money after the 30 day free trial. I don't think I will continue using it.
WinaeroTweaker
This is an amazing free application that let's you change your startup sound! So yes I have the Windows 7 startup sound now, when I turn on my laptop. I got the sound from youtube, used an yt to mp3 and an mp3 to wav converter. Because this application needs a wav file. You can change the sound under Appearance > Startup Sound. Good luck!
Mouse Pointer/Cursor
I also changed my cursor and downloaded my Windows 7 cursor from the following link:
https://www.rw-designer.com/cursor-set/windows-7-aero-1
To change your cursor do the following:
Go to control panel
Search for 'mouse pointer'
Choose 'Change how mouse pointer looks'
Customize Pointer Images!
Yes as far as I know you have to change them one by one.
It's a tiny detail but it looks so good!
Classic Windows 7 Apps
So I did some researched on what some of the most used apps on Windows 7 were. And then I got quite the list from my research!
First of all some basic apps I got from win7games.com:
⦁ Wordpad
⦁ Classic Calculator
⦁ Windows 7 Games (I love this one!)
I had to switch back to my smartphone again from my flip phone, and I immediately fell back to my old habits. Because... banking apps, digital ID app, authenticators, etc. And even tho I have no socials on it. I open it scroll my apps or whatever, just to get screen. I also use the browser, I wish that I could simplify it. Maybe I should just disable the browser on my phone. Anyways I'm working on a personal curriculum to hopefully keep me more busy than thinking of wanting to look at my phone.
I should look in to how to further simplify the phone.
Anyways part of my personal curriculum this year will be to research 2006 topics, bc this is year 2026-20 xD. So every month I will try and research, music, movie, tv-shows, fashion trends, tech stuff, games. Stuff like that. And if I have it available I will watch/use/do something with it. Uhm.. this month will be harder to still do it. But for fun I'll make a try out research.
I'm also working on a post on how I made my Panasonic laptop look like it runs windows 7 aero, I really love the look. I wish I could tweak more, without having to actually run windows 7 or travel back in time.
One thing I really enjoy doing is thrifting! It's technically better for the planet with the mass production of everything going on etc. But it's also just really fun and most of the times budget friendly. Bc I know some thrift stores really overprice there stuff. I went with my mom and grandma and I don't always go home with a lot of good loot actually but this time I did!
My main objective was physical media, especially since I want to live like those nostalgic times again. I really found enjoyement in magazines and want to start collecting them again. My goal was finding some 2000s magazines for my country it was known as 'Hitkrant' but I would say it's kind of like Seventeen. I used to love 'Hitkrant' when I was teen and wanted to take a look at them again. But sadly they didn't have it. I did find another type of magazine that covered anything media like movies, tvshows, anime etc. Mostly in the corner of the horror/thriller genre which I love.
The CD section in this thrift store barely ever gives me any good. Either the good albums are left without CD aka stolen or there is just nothing of my interest. But this time I found 3 interesting CDs.
HitZone (it's like compilation of popular songs during a certain period), from 2006 (how coincidental!)
Lenny Kravitz greatest hits
Spice Girls - Spiceworld
So yea, I was definitely satisfied with these finds!
The two things I really won with this time were DVDs and books tho. I literally got so many DVDs and there apparently was a sale going on 4+1. As for the books almost a whole GOT set for only 5 euros in great condition still!
Anyways that was it for this haul. Wishing all of you lots of luck on your next thrifting trip <3
I really need to start looking for a new storage space for my DVDs, because I'm starting to build a pile next to the current little cabinet xD.
Just got a chatgpt ad where the use case was "can't decide a new years resolution". I can't think of anything more sad than needing a robot to tell you what your own ambitions are. Loser shit.
I'm sure lots of us do (or did) it grabbing our phone first thing in the morning. Instead I have a goal this year to make my morning before my 9 to 5 count. Instead of grabbing my phone I will wake up, workout, get ready, read a book or do another hobby. I do keep thinking about my phone, wanting to look at my notifications. To prevent that I keep it out of reach. For me that's keeping it upstairs in my bedroom whilst I'm reading and enjoying my slow morning downstairs. Also this weeks hobby focus for is drawing, this time it's digital art! Because I really want to improve with it (although I know it's not very 2000s).
Monday
I used to grab my phone so often during work. Deleting apps definitely helped with that and I'm pretty sure it also increased my productivity. Whilst working from home I would usually grab my phone during lunch, but this time I grabbed my puzzle book that I never completed and did a Sudoku! It was really fun and enjoyable. I also left my phone at my desk so I couldn't even look at it during lunch :)
Tuesday
The urge the use my flip phone creeped back into my mind hahah. But I was like whattabout the apps that I need? And since I already deleted a whole bunch of them another thing came to my realization. I always wondered why my phone battery emptied so fast. This day it didn't end of the day it was like 74%. It was all those apps! and probably screen time too.
Anyways something I do as well is go to the cinema. I really like this and didn't realize how much I missed it compared to waiting for a streaming service to stream a new movie or anime seasons first to episodes! I have a subscription for the cinema now bc I go so often. So I can go how much as I want for "only" 30 euros/month. If a cinema near you also has something like this and you can afford it I definitely recommend it. Because a basic ticket where I live is already around 12 or 13 euros O_o and currently a lot of new movies are iMax or 3D or 4DX and that can make the ticket almost 20 euros! So yeah, for me it's definitely worth it, with how often I go. But this day I went to Zootopia 2, it was such a fun movie! And during our (me and my bf) walk to the cinema I took some pictures of the snow with my digicam~
Wednesday
Okay this was a bad day XD but everyone has failure when adapting new habits, it can't be just me. I used chatGPT to discuss about a laptop I wanted to buy. If it's smart or not. Isn't it crazy that I have to go to AI to ask that question? Can't even think by myself wether it's a good choice or not. And that is exactly why I'm pursuing this journey. Eventually, I ended up buying the laptop. It's a Panasonic Let's Note, a modern laptop in a retro shell and best of all it has a disc reader!!!!! I will make a post about setting it up and what my use for it will be, because I did research this day about applications used in the early 2000s. Most of them I already used like Windows Media Player, iTunes but there were a lot I haven't heard about before so I will try them out if they're still available.
The urge to use my flip phone again also grew bigger. But I was so bored whilst working that I just kept grabbing my phone and going to internet and just browsing an dooming myself there. So. I grabbed my flip phone, moved my sim card and committed to it! It's the Kyocera Digno 702KC, I have Whatsapp on it and Pinterest. But I barely use it on the phone bc it's difficult in a way. I just use it for backgrounds for my phone. Also my mom always sends me TikTok it's annoying so I said I have no TikTok anymore. Now... she sends me the videos downloaded. Since this phone barely has storage I won't download it automatically anymore, which is really great!
And oh I moved my chats from my Samsung to my Kyocera by moving the Backups and Database folder to my PC and then put them into the com.whatsapp folder on my Kyocera. I had to reinstall WhatsApp for it to work afterwards. I don't know if it works if you do it before having it installed tho! But this was my way of doing it since the chat transfer functionality didn't work for me.
Thursday
Today I needed to do some banking stuff for a vacation trip me and my bf are planning and this is an example where I will still need my smartphone. Sadly I'm not able to have these banking and authenticator apps on my flip phone. But it does help me from online shopping! Bc whenever I was bored I would open Amazon buy stuff I don't really need. Now I need to open my pc and grab my "authenticator phone". So I'll be less tempted to browse without a goal.
I watched Twilight (DVD) today on my portable DVD player, which I just love (both Twilight and de portable player). Bc whenever I'm at my bf I'm not able to watch my DVDs. Now I can! My grandma wanted to borrow this DVD from me, that's when I was like sure I'll watch it again before bringing it to her tomorrow hahah.
Friday
I travelled. It was hard. hahah. Not having live information about public transport is a real deal breaker. I waited for the bus but it didn't come, so I said to myself if doesn't come in 5 min I'll just walk to my grandma. But we currently have this slushy snow. So walking isn't great and I was wearing my Uggs. Then 5 min later the bus came! I was so glad.
Going back I could check the bus times on my grandma's tablet. And then I waited again. But bc of the snow there's a chance of busses not coming at all. So I waited 15min and went back inside to my grandma. Called my mom if she could pick me up. So glad she did. Bc the busses here are really badly scheduled, they only drive every hour.
Anyways I've been using the call functions on my phone more today, bc typing takes long and calling gives a quicker answer. It was kind of simple and great!
(All pictures are mine)
And the result of my digital art (yes, if you were wondering it's my interpretation of Genji without his mask):
So one of the biggest challenges for my journey will be dumbifying (idk if that's even a word hahah) my smartphone.
For now I deleted most of my unused apps and social media apps. I just kept necessities like banking apps, ID apps, standard apps, Maps, public transport app, WhatsApp. Stuff like that. Which is also why I'm not fully switching to flip phone, even though that would be my preference. I might do it eventually and just use my current phone whenever I need to use the banking apps etc. But for now this is what I did. I will keep track this week and see how it changes my screentime and the "thinking about my phone"/"mindlessly turning it on"/"turning it on again".
Out of sight, out of mind!
Another habit I'm going to try adapting is keeping my phone in my back instead of in my pocket. Because when it's in my pocket I reach for it faster. This will probably be temporarily until it's just natural for me to not want to grab my phone. When I know the urge is gone I'll probably change it or keep it that way if I liked it more!
Calendar App
To replace my calendar app I will use a physical planner this year. My Tomie Hobonichi weeks! I really love collecting stationary and have too much of it. So to use it again and help to get my creative flow back, this is a great way (for me at least).
Notes App
I used this app quite often and Notion as well. I will still use Notion on my PC but for random thought and notes I'll be using something physical. I'll be using my commonplace journal or just small notebook hahah, to take with me everywhere I go. Yes it's more effort but I also find it more rewarding. Why? Because I like writing, that's my reason.
Social Media Apps
Well I removed all social media apps from my phone. I'm only allowed to use Tumblr, Pinterest and YouTube. I'll bring back the excitement to get back home jump behind my PC and check the socials hahah. Or at least the feeling that it's something exclusive to PC. I also think it will lessen my brain rot. And lessen the habit of comparing myself to others.
Video Streaming Apps (Netflix, HBO, etc.)
I'll be honest I still have those apps on my phone to stream to my Chromecast... But as my collection of physical movies and shows grows I will eventually get rid of services. But for now they are still on my phone. But I never had a lot of addictive problems with those apps.
Music Streaming
So I actually haven't had Spotify for a year now. Because it's expensive and I'd be paying for artists I never listen to. So I'd rather spent that money on CDs. I also enjoy the nostalgic feeling of using CDs. On the go I could use my discman, which I sometimes do. But sometimes I don't have enough space in my bag and then I bring my iPod. I imported my -ENTIRE- CD collection to iTunes, it took long, but it was worth it. And it saves me a lot of money. I should quit the video streaming services as well hahah.
Games and entertainment
When travelling I like to play phone games. But I will replace that with one of my handheld consoles. Whichever one I am in the mood for. I might make a post about which ones I have :)
Or I will just read a book ofc!
Internet App
TBH I'm not sure about this one, because I do remember my old "dumb" phones having an internet app. But they were... more minimalistic? Like the internet wasn't this big then but on a pc browser you could do more than on a phone browser. Now a phone browser has a literal desktop mode. So I have to see how I'm going to handle that one.
I feel like these are most of the apps and features I used from my smartphone. It could of course very possibly be that I forgot something. But anyways if I do ever come up with some other stuff I will write about it!
