Whatever did we do before all the gadgets?  First it was cell phones and the internet, now almost everyone has at least one smart device, if not several.  We are more connected than ever before, able to keep in touch more easily, learn more easily, travel more easily, and so much more.  Here are some of the things that we left behind.

1. We wrote letters and sent cards.
Pixabay.com
There was no such thing as an "e-card" or even email for a very long time. We wrote long, in-depth letters telling our friends and family what was going on in our lives. Also, this was good mail.
2. We had to actually read road maps.
Ebay.com
Ebay.com
I honestly don't know how we got anywhere without GPS, but we did. We had these ridiculous, hard to fold road maps...and it really helped to have a co-pilot.
3. We gathered on the front porch to talk.
Flickr/ Ted Sakshaug
Porches were actually places to hang out and talk. Even better, you played instruments and sang. But maybe, you just had some iced tea and relaxed.
4. We had family game nights.
"Family playing a board game (2)" by Bill Branson (Photographer) - This image was released by the National Cancer Institute, an agency part of the National Institutes of Health, with the ID 4378 (image) (next).This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information.English | Français | +/−. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons -
We had to entertain ourselves with things other than technology. What's better than a great board game as a family?
5. We went to libraries…not just for the WiFi.
"Ellis Library" by Chris Yunker - Flickr: Ellis Library. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons -
There are still those of us who know what the Dewey decimal system is and remember going to the library for the books.
6. We had physical photo albums.
"Fotoalbum" by Metoc - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons -
We got our photos developed at the one-hour photo then put them into albums. Occasionally we would get them out and enjoy them.
7. Called people when we wanted to talk to them…not just texting.
"Model 2500 Telephone" by Retro00064 - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons -
And don't even get us started on the super long phone cord that we took into the pantry.

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8. We played outside.
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And we came home when Mom yelled our name very loudly throughout the neighborhood.
9. We made mix tapes.
"Compactcassette" by Thegreenj - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons -
...And then later, burned CD's. Now it's all about playlists and it's all digital.
10. We needed stamps to mail our bill payments.
"Missouri statehood 1971 U.S. stamp.1" by Bureau of Printing and Engraving - U.S. Post Office - Arago: people, postage & the post online. National Postal Museum,. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons -
We also had to write checks and keep a record in a checkbook ledger. Does anyone under 40 do that now? I'd be interested to know.
11. We wondered about things - there was no “Googling" it.
Flickr/ Klearchos Kapoutsis
We would also ask other people if they knew...if they seemed confident, we trusted them.
12. We couldn’t wait for our TV show to come on…
"Family watching television 1958" by Evert F. Baumgardner - National Archives and Records Administration. http://web.archive.org/web/20071226081329/teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/thumbnail427.html. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons -
You actually had to plan your life around TV rather than plan TV around your life.
13. We merely ate our food, we didn’t photograph it.
"Plates of food" by Janine from Mililani, Hawaii, United States - plates of foodUploaded by Fæ. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons -
We might tell you we had a great meal, but you probably didn't get an actual photo in real time.
14. We had newspapers delivered to our front doorstep.
Flickr/ Phil Roeder
Although this is not completely gone, most people just subscribe to the newspaper's online feed. Clippings are a thing of the past.
15. We actually took time to do nothing.
Flickr/ Miran Rijavec
The ability to do nothing was a luxury that no one was ashamed of.

Which of these do you still do?  Any?  What about things you might miss in this new age of technology?  Share in the comments below.

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