People tend to accuse you of trying to be “different” whenever you push yourself to try something new. I’ve come to realize that this reaction is rarely about you and more about the limits people place on themselves — they think curiosity is performative.
It’s a common occurrence that if a person is unfamiliar with something, or if it requires effort to understand, they quickly dismiss it by saying “that’s not for me,” because they don’t take the time to understand it. Ultimately, this comes off as a defense rather than a choice to think of trying something new.
Watching old films makes people think you want exclusivity, you’re interested in movies from decades ago so that must mean you hate everything now. Engaging with the past doesn’t mean you automatically hate the present. The decision to watch old films isn’t about being sophisticated, it’s about changing your perspective and learning to dig deeper. Old films force you to slow down, there’s silence, there’s long pauses, there’s intention behind every aspect. Noticing the little things changes the way you view the world beyond the screen.
Personally, old films have helped me identify what I genuinely enjoy and slowed me down from consuming every single popular thing. Over time, I became more aware of what I’m drawn to, like the aesthetics within black-and-white cinematography, the muted color palettes of the mid-century films and the realism of 1970’s cinema. These films became points of reference, which motivated me to be more intentional with the media I consume instead of absorbing it passively. With this level of awareness, you no longer feel the need to rely on trends or algorithms to tell you what you enjoy; you can now take control and curate the world around you.
What I learned from old films gave me new appreciation for the intention behind every day details, whether it's the design of a building or the way someone brings their vision to life. Impact can be just as quiet as it can be loud, what matters is the thought and care that go into it.
Despite all of this, watching old films doesn’t make me feel superior or hate the present. Instead, it has made me more aware and intentional with the way I live my life and experience the world. You begin to notice details that are often overlooked because people are usually focused on the “wow” rather than the “how.” You start seeing the effort that was put into architecture, fashion, music and your own everyday experiences. You value time differently by understanding that everything isn’t always immediate and appreciation requires patience. You get taught to look beyond the surface.
So, pressing play on an older film doesn’t mean someone is trying to be different; it means they’re choosing to experience life in a different way.
The opinions desk can be reached at opinions@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
