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We’ve come a long way in just a decade. What once felt routine now looks like a strange artifact of a less thoughtful, less connected time.
In 2015, we were still figuring out the digital world, navigating the early stages of tech dependence, and blissfully unaware of how much the world would change. Now in 2025, some of those behaviors seem almost absurd.
Paying Extra for Basic Digital Privacy
In 2015, most people didn’t think twice about handing over their personal data. Big tech companies offered “free” services, but that came at the cost of being tracked, targeted, and analyzed around the clock.
Paying for encrypted messaging apps or private browsers was rare, almost fringe. Fast forward to today, and digital privacy is a human right more than a luxury. The idea of being charged extra to avoid surveillance now feels like paying a toll to keep your own secrets.
Working Full-Time in a Cubicle
Back then, the cubicle was king. Offices buzzed with fluorescent lights, endless email chains, and the low hum of printers that never quite worked.
Remote work was reserved for tech elites or freelancers living on the edge. But after a global shift in how we view labor, work-life balance, and technology, being forced to work full-time in a cubicle sounds like a punishment. Now, hybrid flexibility is the norm, and the cubicle might as well be a museum exhibit.
Driving Everywhere—Alone
Car culture was still in full swing a decade ago, with many people driving alone for hours every week. Commuting solo was just how things were done, even if it meant sitting in traffic, wasting fuel, and polluting the air.
Today, shared autonomous vehicles, expanded public transit, and climate consciousness have reshaped how we move. The idea of each person owning and driving their own car daily seems incredibly inefficient. In 2025, we’re more mobile than ever—just in smarter, cleaner ways.
Posting Everything on Social Media Without Thinking Twice
The mid-2010s were peak overshare. Every meal, every vacation, every minor life update was broadcast to followers, often with little thought about digital permanence or mental health. People chased likes and filtered their realities into polished performances.
Now, with tighter regulations, digital detox trends, and a better understanding of algorithmic manipulation, that kind of constant exposure feels reckless. Social media still exists, but the wild west vibe of 2015 is definitely a thing of the past.
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Letting Apps Track Your Every Move
From fitness apps to shopping trackers, location data was casually handed over without a second thought. In fact, many users didn’t even realize how much of their personal movements were being recorded, sold, or stored. That level of passive surveillance was normalized in 2015, but it wouldn’t fly now.
In 2025, digital consent is taken far more seriously, and privacy-focused platforms dominate. We’ve collectively woken up to how dangerous invisible data trails can be.
Fast Fashion Hauls Without Consequence
Ten years ago, it was common to scroll through videos of people showing off dozens of cheaply made clothing items they bought for pennies on the dollar. These fast fashion hauls were trendy, even aspirational. Few people considered the environmental toll or labor exploitation behind those $5 t-shirts. Today, the same kind of haul would be met with widespread criticism. Conscious consumerism is not just a trend—it’s an expectation.
Eating Meat at Every Meal
Meat was the centerpiece of most meals in 2015, and plant-based alternatives were still seen as niche. A lot has changed in a decade, with climate data, ethical debates, and innovation in food tech driving a major shift.
Now, many households have adopted flexitarian or plant-forward diets as the default. Lab-grown meat and plant-based proteins are widely available and affordable. Eating meat at every meal is no longer considered normal—it’s often viewed as excessive or outdated.
Using Passwords Like “123456” or “password”
Cybersecurity awareness was still catching up in 2015, and people were shockingly careless with their passwords. Reused credentials, obvious combinations, and unencrypted files were all too common. Today, the stakes are higher, and security breaches are more sophisticated. Using weak or recycled passwords is no longer just careless—it’s borderline irresponsible. With biometrics, passkeys, and multi-factor authentication now widespread, our digital defenses have finally grown up.
Accepting Misinformation as Part of the Internet Experience
Misinformation and fake news were rampant in 2015, but many shrugged it off as an unfortunate side effect of being online. Fact-checking tools were underdeveloped, and content moderation was inconsistent at best.
Fast forward to 2025, and misinformation is treated as a serious threat to public safety, democracy, and mental health. Platforms are held accountable in ways they never were before, and digital literacy is taught like reading and math. What once felt like background noise now feels like a breach of public trust.
Treating Mental Health Like a Taboo
Mental health was still a hushed topic in many workplaces, schools, and communities a decade ago. People feared being labeled or dismissed for struggling with anxiety, depression, or burnout. While some progress had been made, resources and support systems were limited and often inaccessible.
In 2025, mental wellness is front and center—discussed openly, supported systemically, and prioritized in both policy and culture. Looking back, the silence around mental health in 2015 feels not just outdated, but harmful.
Times, And People, Have Changed In 10 Years
We’ve come a long way, and it’s wild to think how much of what once passed for “normal” now seems completely unacceptable. That’s the beauty of progress—it shows us how much better things can get when awareness catches up with action. But it also reminds us to keep asking tough questions about what today’s habits might look like in another decade. What are we doing in 2025 that will seem outrageous in 2035?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—what would you add to this list?
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