Considering that pretty much everyone seems to have a dramatic backstory or a “unique” upbringing, there’s something comforting about having had a completely normal, unremarkable childhood.
Sure, you might feel a bit boring, but is that really such a bad thing? If your younger years were filled with everyday experiences that didn’t leave you with any particularly wild stories or emotional trauma, you’ll probably relate to these experiences — and you should count your lucky stars!
1. Your family had one go-to dinner that showed up weekly.
Maybe it was spaghetti bolognese, shepherd’s pie, or the classic fish fingers and chips. Whatever it was, you could count on it appearing on the dinner table like clockwork. It wasn’t fancy, but it was reliable, and honestly, it still feels a bit nostalgic.
2. You had a birthday cake from the supermarket.
Forget elaborate custom cakes or Pinterest-worthy setups. Your birthday dessert was a Colin the Caterpillar cake or a generic chocolate sponge with “Happy Birthday” written in icing. It wasn’t about impressing anyone; it was about the joy of cake, full stop.
3. You thought family holidays were the height of luxury.
Whether it was a caravan park, a beachside B&B, or a budget package holiday to Spain, your childhood holidays weren’t extravagant. You packed sandwiches for the journey, played travel games, and came back with dodgy souvenirs. But at the time, it felt like paradise.
4. Your parents owned a Tupperware cupboard/drawer.
You know the one: full of mismatched lids, ancient containers, and a slight avalanche risk every time you opened it. No one dared to clean it out because somehow everything in there was “still good.”
5. Your school uniform included ill-fitting shoes from the same shop as everyone else’s.
Shopping for school shoes was an annual tradition, and the choices were always limited to a couple of sensible, slightly ugly options. You probably went to Clarks and walked away with shoes that were sturdy but never fashionable.
6. You had a predictable bedtime routine.
Your evenings weren’t spent scrolling through social media or streaming the latest shows. Instead, you’d watch a bit of TV, maybe read a book, and then your parents would send you to bed at a reasonable hour. No arguments—it was just how things were.
7. Your packed lunches were nothing fancy.
A ham sandwich, a packet of crisps, and maybe a Penguin bar or a yoghurt tube if you were lucky. Your packed lunch wasn’t Instagram-worthy, but it did the job. Bonus points if your sandwiches were slightly squished by the time you ate them.
8. You went to the same school as your neighbours.
There was no agonising over prestigious schools or lengthy commutes. You went to the local primary and secondary school with the kids from your street. It was straightforward and meant your parents didn’t have to worry about complicated logistics.
9. You spent weekends doing the same simple activities.
Your Saturdays and Sundays were all about bike rides, playing outside, or going to the park. Maybe there was a weekly trip to the supermarket or a family roast on Sundays. Nothing fancy, but it always felt comforting and familiar.
10. You had exactly one TV in the house.
TV time was a family affair because there was only one screen, and it lived in the living room. You watched whatever was on, and arguments over who controlled the remote were just part of life. Personal TVs in bedrooms were unheard of.
11. Your family photo albums are filled with awkwardly posed pictures.
No professional photoshoots or picture-perfect filters here. Just a lot of snaps taken on disposable cameras, featuring bad haircuts, questionable outfits, and plenty of squinting into the sun. And yes, they’re all in an album somewhere in your parents’ cupboard.
12. You played with the same hand-me-down toys for years.
Source: Unsplash Instead of having the latest gadgets or a never-ending stream of new toys, you made do with what you had. Maybe it was an old doll house, a set of LEGO, or a slightly battered board game. They weren’t shiny or new, but they provided hours of fun.
13. You got excited about the small stuff.
Things like a visit to the library, picking out a VHS from Blockbuster, or getting a Happy Meal felt like the peak of excitement. Life’s little treats were enough to keep you entertained and happy.
14. You had a few reliable household “rules.”
Things like “no shoes in the house,” “finish your vegetables before dessert,” or “TV off by 9 PM” were standard. They weren’t strict or unreasonable—just the kind of everyday rules that kept things running smoothly.
15. Your childhood memories are mostly about feeling safe and loved.
At the end of the day, the most unremarkable childhoods are often the happiest ones. You might not have had big, dramatic moments, but you had stability, love, and a sense of security. And that’s worth more than anything flashy or extraordinary.
