Rebel against the noise with some 90s inspiration
Key highlights:
- We’re hyper-connected in today’s world – which means it can be hard to switch off and unwind from digital distractions.
- We want to embrace the simplicity of the 90s, so we asked our Loop Circle community to share core memories from their childhoods.
- We’ve turned these memories into tips for modern-day practices that will help you to embrace the simple pleasures in today’s busy digital world.
- And if you need a little extra help, there’s the Loop Sublime seasonal collection, which invites users to disconnect from the digital world with analog products in rich, nostalgic tones.
Your cell’s pinged with another notification – for the twentieth time this hour. The number of unread emails in your inbox keeps ticking up and up. And all those ads that keep popping up when you’re trying to work aren’t doing much for your productivity (or your bank balance). Wouldn’t it be nice to just switch all that tech off sometimes?
We live life digitally these days. Sometimes that can be great – we wouldn’t swap the ability to stay in touch with friends and family all around the world or work from home for the world. But at other times, it can all get a bit too much.
Look back to move forwards
Sometimes if you feel overwhelmed by digital distractions, it can help to take a step back. All the way back. Sure, stepping away from your computer can help – but what about taking it even further? The 90s was the last decade before digital technology changed our lives forever.
Things were a little bit simpler back then. We watched whatever was on TV at a given time – there was none of the decision paralysis that comes with having multiple streaming platforms at our fingertips. We caught up with friends face-to-face – or over the (landline) phone. And when we snapped photos, we had to wait for them to be developed before seeing how they turned out – no deleting ones you don’t like!
Embracing core memories
We were feeling all warm and fuzzy thinking about all the best bits of the 90s – so we decided to get our Loop Circle community involved too. We asked our members to share one core memory from their childhood. From the simple pleasure of playing outside with friends without a care in the world to making mixtapes for your portable music player, their memories were nostalgic, whimsical and wonderful.
And we think there’s a lot we can learn from their memories of the laid-back 90s. We can’t just copy-paste the past – but there are lots of ways we can incorporate the simpler pleasures of our childhood into our everyday lives.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out by your always-on digital life, take some inspiration from our Loopers’ childhood memories and try to embrace a little of what made the 90s so special… with a modern-day twist.
“Fishing with my dad.” - Mona
Mona’s core memory is simple and sweet. And luckily, fishing is an activity that never gets old – especially when it’s done side by side with pops. If you’re lucky enough to have your old man around, then call him up, grab a couple of cold ones, and head down to the river.
“Listening to music on a record player with my dad after we had a family dinner out.” - Nicole
The simple pleasure of hitting up your favorite fast food joint with your family, then putting on some great tunes – this one is pretty easy to recreate in 2024. These days, most of us listen to playlists and skip from song to song. But there’s nothing quite like listening to an album in full, the way it was intended to be listened to. Take some inspiration from Nicole’s core 90s memory and get yourself a record player. Then hit up your local charity shop to pick up some records – then race home to listen in full. No phone, no distractions – just listening to the music. Oh, and don’t forget to call your parents.
“As a millennial born in the mid-80s, my childhood in the 90s was filled with frog catching, ghost hunting, riding my bike with the strawberry basket, and writing to my many penpals overseas.” - Karoline
Maybe there’s not so much ghost hunting to be done these days, but getting out for a long ride in the countryside is always a good idea, whatever the decade. And who doesn’t love to receive handwritten mail in the post? Pick up a pen and write a heartfelt letter to a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It’s a tonic for the soul – for both letter writer and receiver.
“Sunday tea time - bath, hair washing, crumpets and a piece of cake and good old bulls eye on the TV! We were allowed to have tea in the lounge, not at the table. Real family evenings.” - Isabel
Who said Sunday baths were just for 90s kids? This is one nostalgic Sunday evening we can really get on board with. There’s no better way to have a mini digital detox than by carving a good hour out of your schedule for a long, luxurious bath. Light some candles, leave your phone in another room, and relax – bliss!
“Well the internet has always been around for me, but it was much less used. I remember going to my friend's house and playing with our Tamagotchis. We had a secret space we would go to in the bushes that was cleared out and served as our club space. It was so much fun.” - Olivia
These days, you might not be able to get away with spending all day playing Tamagotchis with your friends – but we do think that everyone needs their own secret space to relax and unwind in. If you’ve got the space in your home, create your own club space. Find a nook in your home to make all your own - fill it with cozy cushions and blankets, a pile of books – or whatever you need to unwind and relax from the daily grind.
“Basic, but climbing trees with friends and making dens.” - Amy
Amy, we like your style. But we’re not sure it’s acceptable for grown adults to be climbing trees – that’s what climbing walls are for. Take inspiration from Amy’s core memory and hit the local climbing wall for an adrenaline fix. It’s a great way to unwind without any digital distractions – for both mind and body.
“My favorite childhood memory was going to school and playing board games with my peers. I still love board games to this day.” - Divi
Divi, we love board games too – although we don’t make enough time to play them these days. A games night is a great way to connect with friends. Clear a night in your diary, invite your crew over, and pile the snacks high. The hardest decision is what board games to play. Will you go for 90s classics like The Game of Life and Operation – or will you bring your games night up to date with modern favorites like Codenames?
“Sitting in a field picking four leaf clovers and just being in the moment without music or social media.” - Luca
As kids, we could while away hours and hours just hanging out. When was the last time you made time to just be? Life is busy these days, but why not harness some of that childhood free spiritedness and spend some time on your own, in the moment. Whether you head for a walk in nature or grab five minutes to simply sit and enjoy the silence between meetings, that intentional stillness can be a brilliant refresh for your mind.
Meet Sublime
If you long for a time before doom scrolling, when childhoods were spent outside and everything seemed much simpler, we’re right there with you. We think our tips for modern life – inspired by our Looper’s core 90s memories – will help to reduce the overwhelm of our hyper-connected world by embracing all the things that made our hearts sing as kids.
And for a little helping hand, there’s also the Loop Sublime collection. Rebel against the noise of our contemporary world and return to simpler times with an analog product. The seasonal Sublime Collection offers up a blend of serenity and style, all in a palette of gorgeously rich, nostalgic tones (Sugar Plum, Golden Hour and Denim Dream).
Our earplugs
-
Experience 2 SublimeSeasonal colorsExperience 2 Sublime
Regular price €29.95Sale price €29.95 Regular priceUnit price perBest for concerts and festivals, live entertainment and sporting events -
Engage 2 SublimeSeasonal colorsEngage 2 Sublime
Regular price €29.95Sale price €29.95 Regular priceUnit price perBest for conversations, social gatherings, parenting and noise sensitivity -
Quiet 2 SublimeSeasonal colorsQuiet 2 Sublime
Regular price €19.95Sale price €19.95 Regular priceUnit price perBest for deep focus, travel, commutes and napping
The collection is available across a selection of Loop’s core product range, including Loop Experience 2 (and Experience 2 Plus), Loop Quiet 2 (and Quiet 2 Plus) and Loop Engage (and Engage 2 Plus).
With Sublime, we invite everyone to disconnect from the digital and reconnect with themselves, claiming moments of peace in a noisy world.
FAQ
Which products are included in this collection?
The collection is available across a selection of Loop’s core product range, including Loop Experience 2 (and Experience 2 Plus), Loop Quiet 2 (and Quiet 2 Plus) and Loop Engage (and Engage 2 Plus). Loop Switch isn’t part of the Sublime Collection, but there are a range of accessories available, including colorful Mute packs, Loop Link magnetic connector cords, and Carry Cases.
How long will they be available for?
Sublime is a seasonal collection so these products won’t be around forever. Don’t miss out!
Is this a two-part collection like Solstice / Equinox?
Yes, the Sublime collection is the follow up to our spring/summer Kinetic collection.
Introducing the Kinetic Collection: Loop Earplugs’ love letter to Y2K fashion
Press Release - Loop’s imagining a brighter future with Kinetic, the brand’s Spring/Summer Seasonal 2024. The collect...
Let it move you: introducing the Kinetic seasonal collection
To celebrate the launch of the Kinetic, join us on a deep dive into the creative minds that came up with the concept ...
A look at the use of earplugs for nightclubs and festivals
We wanted to find out more about whether people use earplugs at nightclubs and music festivals. Find out the results ...