The Golden Era of Relationships: Where Did It Go?

By Riya Baby

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how relationships have changed — how we’ve changed.

I remember my childhood so vividly — especially the holidays. Oh, what a beautiful time that was! Cousins from different places would come together under one roof. We would sleep in one big room, laugh until midnight, share food from the same plate, take baths in the courtyard, and even say our prayers together. We did everything together.

And it wasn’t just the cousins. Even neighbours were like family. Aunties next door knew everything about us — not in a nosy way, but in a loving, caring way. If you were sick, they’d bring soup before your parents could. If you achieved something, they'd celebrate as if it were their own child’s success. There was so much trust. So much togetherness.

But now… something feels broken.

 

The Great Drift

Everyone seems to be busy — constantly. We barely have time for our own families, let alone extended ones. People live in the same house but stay in different rooms, lost in their phones, laptops, or endless work. Festivals that once meant reunion now just mean WhatsApp wishes and Instagram posts.

And the saddest part?

We pretend to trust. We act like everything is fine. But deep down, many of us are scared — even of our own family. We think twice before sharing things. We wonder if we’re being judged, misunderstood, or even betrayed.

How did it come to this?

 

The Double-Edged Sword

There’s no denying it — technology is a blessing. It has brought us global knowledge, instant access, and boundless opportunities. But it also stole something precious from us — presence.

We're connected, yet disconnected. We know someone’s birthday because Facebook reminds us, not because we remember. We talk every day, but we rarely listen. We scroll, like, react — but forget to feel.

Was it social media? Or the fast-paced life we were thrown into? Or maybe our egos, ambitions, and constant comparisons?

It's hard to say. Maybe it's all of it.

 

What I Miss the Most

I miss the comfort of unspoken understanding.

I miss the chaos of a full house, the smell of shared meals, the spontaneous games, and the laughter that needed no filters.

I miss genuine relationships — the kind where people showed up not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

And above all, I miss the trust. The kind you didn’t need to build — because it was just there.

 

Can We Still Turn Back?

Maybe we can't recreate the exact magic of those golden days, but we can bring back the spirit.

A phone call instead of a forwarded message. A surprise visit. A no-occasion dinner with cousins. Leaving your phone aside during a conversation. Listening. Forgiving. Prioritizing people over posts.

These small steps could rebuild what we’ve lost — piece by piece.

One Last Thought

The world will keep changing — that’s inevitable. But it’s up to us to protect what really matters. Relationships are not old-fashioned. They are timeless. And if we nurture them, they’ll outlast every trend and technology.

To anyone who feels the same way — you’re not alone.

Let’s hold on to what’s real. Let’s not let go of the golden era just yet.