There’s something special about growing up in a world of rotary phones and VHS tapes. It might not seem like it, but it equipped us with some unique skills.
You see, in an era before smartphones and streaming, we had to do things differently. And that left us with some pretty nifty abilities.
Now, I’m going to share with you some of these unexpected skills those who grew up with rotary phones and VHS tapes might just have.
Let’s dive in,
1) Patience in an Instant World
We live in a world where everything is meant to be instant. However, if you grew up with rotary phones and VHS tapes, you have a unique skill – patience.
Remember dialing a number on a rotary phone? It wasn’t as simple as tapping a screen. You had to patiently dial each number, waiting for the dial to return before moving onto the next.
And let’s not even get started on the VHS tapes. Rewinding or fast-forwarding to a specific part of your favorite movie wasn’t an easy-peasy time stamp click. It was a game of wait and watch, often leading to overshooting or undershooting your desired scene.
This constant waiting taught us patience. In a world that’s becoming increasingly impatient, this is a skill that’s more valuable than ever. It helps us keep calm in stressful situations, makes us better listeners, and allows us to persevere when things get tough.
2) Mastering the Art of Anticipation
Now, this is something I hold close to my heart. Growing up with VHS tapes, you probably became an expert at anticipating and planning.
I remember as a kid, I had this one VHS tape of my favorite cartoon. But here’s the thing – I didn’t just press play and watch from wherever it started. No, I had to anticipate when my favorite episode would come on, fast-forward or rewind to that exact spot, and then hit play.
And it wasn’t just about finding your favorite part. You had to anticipate when the tape would end so you could be ready to flip it over or change it. There were no episode lists or ‘skip intro’ buttons. It was all about anticipation and planning.
This skill has helped me immensely in my adult life. Whether it’s planning my day or anticipating the needs of others, my VHS days have trained me well. And I bet they’ve done the same for you too!
3) Map Reading and Navigation
In a time when GPS and Google Maps were the stuff of science fiction, those of us who grew up with rotary phones and VHS tapes had to rely on good old-fashioned maps for navigation.
To travel anywhere new, we had to first figure out the route on a physical map, identify landmarks and memorize turns. This meant understanding scales, symbols, and directions on the map.
Interestingly, studies have shown that this practice actually helps improve spatial reasoning and cognitive flexibility. The part of your brain used when reading a map is also used for problem-solving and memory.
4) Appreciating the Physical
Growing up with rotary phones and VHS tapes, we learned to appreciate physical objects and their tangible nature.
Remember the satisfaction of holding a VHS tape in your hands, the tangible proof of your favorite movie or show? Or the feeling of dialing a number on a rotary phone, the weight and sound of each number dialed?
In today’s digital world, everything seems to be virtual. Movies are streamed, books are downloaded, and even phone calls are made through apps. However, having experienced a more physical world, we’ve learned to appreciate things we can touch and feel.
This appreciation extends beyond just nostalgia. It can make us more grounded, and helps us value what we have in our hands, rather than constantly chasing the next digital trend.
5) Understanding the Value of Time
If there’s one thing that sticks with you from the era of rotary phones and VHS tapes, it’s the understanding of the value of time.
Time had a different meaning then. You couldn’t just binge-watch an entire season of a show in one night. Each episode was savored, each moment waited for. You couldn’t just call someone anytime you wanted. You had to wait for them to be home, by their phone.
This taught us a kind of patience yes, but it also taught us something more important – to value time. We learned to appreciate moments as they came, knowing we couldn’t just rewind or fast-forward life like a VHS tape.
In today’s world where everything is available at a click, this understanding of time can remind us to slow down, to savor moments, and to truly live in the here and now. Because life, much like those VHS tapes and rotary phone conversations, is about enjoying each moment as it comes.
6) The Art of Connection
Back in the day, with our rotary phones and VHS tapes, we had a different way of connecting with each other.
I remember how making a phone call was a ritual. It wasn’t just a quick text or a brief chat. It was an event. You’d sit by the phone, dial the number slowly, and then wait for the other person to pick up. There was anticipation, excitement and sometimes even a bit of nervousness.
And then there were the VHS tapes. Watching a movie wasn’t just about the film – it was a shared experience. Friends or family gathered around the TV, sharing laughs, tears, and gasps together.
In our digital age, connection has become easier but perhaps also more superficial. But growing up with rotary phones and VHS tapes has taught me to value deep and meaningful connections. It’s not just about reaching out, it’s about really connecting – even if it takes a little more time and effort.
7) Ingenuity and Problem-Solving
Growing up with rotary phones and VHS tapes, we often had to be resourceful and innovative.
If your VHS tape got stuck, you couldn’t just call customer support or look up a solution online. You had to figure it out yourself, often with a pencil or finger, carefully winding the tape back into the cassette.
And if the rotary phone wasn’t working? You couldn’t just restart it. You’d have to check the cord, maybe even open it up to see if something was stuck.
The need to fix things ourselves helped us develop a knack for problem-solving. It taught us to think on our feet, to be resourceful, and not to panic when things go wrong. These are skills that can come in handy in all areas of life, whether it’s at work, home or even in relationships.
8) Resilience in the Face of Change
The greatest skill we learned from growing up with rotary phones and VHS tapes is resilience. We’ve seen technology evolve rapidly, moving from analog to digital, and we’ve adapted every step of the way.
We’ve moved from dialing numbers on a rotary phone to tapping on a touch screen, from waiting for a VHS tape to rewind to streaming movies instantly. We’ve seen the world change, and we’ve changed with it.
This resilience, this ability to adapt to change, is perhaps the most important skill we have gained. It prepares us for whatever comes next, enabling us to face new technologies and changes with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
