Belong in the past?

Since i can remember i feel like i was born in the wrong time era... everything about modern society is completely opposite of what i believe and the way i act. I often find myself getting depressed because i feel like i shouldve been born back in the 1920s because nothing im use to or that i do matches this time period its like even though im here now i belong and would fit in most during that era.... is this normal? do others feel this way?

I've always felt that way. Only, my era is even earlier than your's... try Victorian England :-D So, I bury myself in Victorian novels and try to live a life that follows my own values without worrying about what other's think. I know that's easier said than done, but it's the best way of coping, at least for me. I did just have a (slightly) Victorian wedding, so that helped me live out my dream as close as I can get!

I definitely feel for you! Keep your chin up, you're not alone! Maybe you could find a social group or something that loves everything 1920's -- or make your own! Have 1920's themed events and parties, read books together, dress up for a day. Just have fun with it

yea I used to believe that, I kind of laughed when I read your post because I used to have a college friend who like me thought she belonged in the roaring 20's ...until our history class covered that era.. the roaring 20's was the time of prohibition ( all forms of alcohol and bootlegging moonshine was illegal and punishable by life in prison if caught with any form of alcohol) it was also a time of prostitution otherwise called "flapper women" flapper girls"..gangsters (now called the mob) controlled most everything some even whole cities and government officials...the world war was ending and we didnt have mental health services other than placing people in asylums (commonly known as warehousing the mentally ill, handicapped and in many cases the blacks, and other races that were snubbed and considered wrong back then, we didnt have equality for races, handlicapped, gays, lesbians and other lifestyles that are now considered to be normal, back in the 20's there werent any computers, tvs were black and white no cable no digital, and you were lucky if you could receive one channel on the tv and radios. there was lots of epidemics and death as a result of diseases because we didnt have the medications to stop things like the flu, it was called the depression era because jobs were scarce and far between and millions were homeless or working in factories that had no union, laws, many children died in factories because there was no such thing as child labor laws back then. our teacher asked us to imagine working for 5 dollars a day in a factory and never knowing whether you were going to live to collect that 5 dollars at the end of the week because the job had no safety requirements/laws, children as young as 5 yrs old were running up and down replacing spools of thread and getting pulled into the gears.. schools / colleges were for the rich not the middle and lower class..the stock market crashed, leaving millions of people destitute, many committed suicide because they didnt have money to survive, it was too depressing for them to be homeless and with out food, clothing and shelter. there wasnt all the rights women have today, back then women were objects for men (look pretty, give sex any time their man wanted it, bare childre, take care of the house and home....) and had to obey their man...

most people I know that felt like they belong in another era usually felt that way because of the enjoyable side of the era, they wanted the good side and nothing of the down side like the roaring 20's had like jazz music, the charleston, tap dancing.. but they didnt think about the fact that they could be arrested and killed just by saying they didnt agree with the governing body.

After taking that class I was glad I live in the present time. I am so glad we live in a time when being a lesbian is accepted not punishable by commitment to the insane assylum, that children in america are no longer used as expendable objects for sex and factory work, that women are no longer considered pretty objects on their mans arm doing their duty of baring children caring for the home and kids, and being at husbands beck and call,...

and I would totally be lost without my palm pilot, computer, lap top and digital tv. imagine not having psych central to come to...

yup the roaring 20's had its good points but after discovering all the down side in history class, that went on in that ere I am glad to be here in this present time.

I know someone who has decided to remain a permanent little girl. She thinks sex is icky and men are all bad except the ones who live with their mothers (but they are still all icky and maybe dangerous and bad because they might want to have sex at some point) and she dresses like the mother in the Leave it to Beaver show from the 50s. She also thinks modern society is all bad and people of her generation are all bad. Of course she is a part of modern society and she is a part of her generation. If you really want to pretend it is the 1920s, you'll want to give up using the computer. And I saw some guy on the bus the other day who was wearing a straw boater, so you'll be happy to know they are still available for purchase. When you think about it, there is a lot you can do to pretend it is the 1920s. You can give up air-conditioning, never drive over 35 miles an hour, give away your microwave if you have one, refuse many medications including most antibiotics and psychotropic drugs. Why don't you try living the way you think you should and if people ask you tell them you are conducting a social experiment? You may gather some really useful social data and you might meet many people who share your beliefs.

I have definitely felt this way before, I feel like my views and moral compass are much better suited for past generations, I don't see anything wrong with feeling like that !

I think it is somewhat natural to feel this way. Maybe more for some than others

My theory is that we are raised with values of those at least a generation older, and who's visions and ideas were shaped others at least a generation older than that. We also incorporate ideas from many other sources, including teachers, books, movies, etc.

We are complex!

Yes, I think it is natural, especially if one "encourages" it, focuses on it and makes it a habit. I remember in college when I longed to live in medieval times (but with indoor plumbing :-) and felt most comfortable in my lace-up knee-high leather boots and soft lace-up jerkin with hood.

If it does not bother you, then I say enjoy it. If it bothers you than I would look at and engage more in the world today, as it is. I'm retired and getting older and it is hard for me sometimes today with the "new" music that isn't familiar to me and some of the technology I don't get.

Would you give up your TV and computer to live in the 20's Zach? It was a much slower time and not nearly as interesting as your study of it from the future. Believe me, I was born in 1950 and grew up in the 1950's and 60's and as nostalgic as I am for some things during that period, when I seriously think about it, I'm very selective in what I would take from that period. We don't have that "right" to take what we like and pretend the rest did not exist. Looking back from the future is a comfortable movie or good book; we know what can exist and conveniently forget the uncertainties of our chosen period.

I lean more toward 50's and 60's, small town venue or rural farm. Everybody knows everyone. When the person passing you in the street would smile and say hey.
Maybe it's just me but people today seem to look at others by what they can get from them.

I always feel like I belong in either a different world or far in the future. At least a place where gender, looks, and opinions aren't a huge factor in how you treat someone.

I feel the same, except I think my era is the oldest one yet. I yearn to be back in Ancient Egypt, more than anything I can describe. I am completely in love with the place, and for as long as I can remember I've never felt comfortable, or at home, with the 21st century. I don't even care about whether or not I would be a Royal in Ancient Egypt - I just want to be there. I miss it, which is crazy because in this life at least, I've never been to Egypt. But I miss it nonetheless. And my feeling of displacement here is driving me crazy.

About 1885 is where I feel I am best suited to be.

I don't know if I want to live in 1550-1640 but I would have liked to live during the Rubenesque period.