First of all, I want to say that I’m starting something new on my blog to add more personality to it. I’m going to try to write more personal blog posts and share my opinions on different topics. This time, it’s all about physical media.

Physical media includes VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and books. But my favorite types of physical media are DVDs and CDs.

Streaming versus Physical Media

When I was growing up, we still had VHS tapes and later moved on to DVDs. I loved going to the store and renting a DVD for the holidays. It was something we did every single year. Everyone could pick one or two movies, and then we would watch them together. I loved it. It was exciting.

Then, eventually, illegal downloads became a thing, and slowly streaming became more popular. These days, streaming is huge. When it was still up-and-coming, I was pretty excited because I thought it meant having easier access to a lot of movies and music. I mean, I’m even listening to Spotify right now while writing this (without a subscription).

But over the last couple of years, I have become more critical of streaming services. First of all, there are so many platforms, and it can feel overwhelming. If you want a subscription to all of them, you have to pay a lot of money every single month. I have only had Netflix, for the record, but even with Netflix, I have my issues.

When you want to watch a certain movie, it’s possible that it isn’t available on the platform at that moment. They can also remove certain titles whenever they want. You are paying to use the platform, but you don’t actually own anything.

The other day, I read the news about Sony and their decision to stop producing physical media. Everything will become digital, and they also removed a lot of movie titles. I even heard that, even though you paid for a certain movie, it could be removed and become unavailable. Paying for something digitally basically means that you still don’t own it.

With physical media, it’s completely different because you pay for it and then own it for the rest of your life. They can’t take it away from you. That is why physical media is top-tier. And that is why I started my physical media collection, which includes DVDs and CDs.

Physical Media is Fun

Remember when I said that I loved going to the store and finding a DVD to watch? Well, I get that same feeling again from buying and owning DVDs. Streaming movies was cool at first, but now it doesn’t excite me anymore. Physical media is more fun because you can actually hold it, look at it, and it’s so much fun to add more items to your collection.

I love going to thrift stores and finding something special. The other day, I went to a thrift store and found a lot of amazing DVDs that I love. (You can watch my physical media haul down below.) Sure, sometimes you don’t find anything at all, but when you do find something, it feels amazing.

Plus, if I want to listen to music right now, I just have to turn on my CD player, and that’s it. I don’t have to use my phone or laptop to play music anymore, which is great since I’m trying to reduce my screen time. And there are so many reasons to go back to physical media.

How do you feel about physical media? Or do you still prefer streaming services?

When the video doesn’t work, click here

The post Physical Media is Top Tier | Personal #1 first appeared on Bettie Toon.

<p>The post Physical Media is Top Tier | Personal #1 first appeared on Bettie Toon.</p>

I was born in the ’90s, which means I grew up with VHS tapes and later DVDs and CDs. But as I got older, Netflix suddenly appeared, and not long after that, many other streaming services followed.

Now there are so many streaming platforms to choose from, and honestly, it can feel overwhelming. Even when it comes to music, there are multiple streaming services available.

But while we’re living in this streaming era, I’ve decided I’ve had enough. Today, I’m going to explain why I’m going back to physical media—and I know I’m not the only one. You can find countless videos on TikTok, YouTube, and even discussions on Reddit where people say they’re making the same choice.

Why I Am Going Back To Physical Media

1. Nostalgia
   I grew up in the ’90s, and I loved having a VHS collection of my favorite Disney movies. It was amazing. I remember inviting my friends over to watch movies together. I also remember how much I enjoyed going to stores and browsing through movies and CDs. Most of those stores have disappeared, which makes me sad. I think we only have one or two places left where you can buy vinyl records and CDs. But back in the day, there were so many stores where you could find new DVDs and CDs. I really miss that era. So yes, part of the reason I want to go back to physical media is nostalgia.
   
2. You pay, but you don’t own anything
   When you have a subscription to a streaming service, you pay a monthly fee to get access to a large library of movies, TV shows, or music. That sounds great. But the reality is that even though you pay every single month, you don’t actually own anything. If Spotify or Netflix were to disappear tomorrow, you would be left with nothing. With physical media, on the other hand, you buy something once and own it for the rest of your life. And honestly, I prefer owning the movies and music that I truly love.
   
3. Your favorite movies aren’t always available
   This has happened to me so many times. Imagine it’s a Friday or Saturday night, and you’re planning a movie night. You want to watch your favorite movie, so you open Netflix—only to find out that it’s not available. That’s the downside of streaming. Movies come and go all the time. With physical media, you don’t have this problem. If you own your favorite movie, you can watch it whenever you want. You don’t have to wait for it to become available again on Netflix (or any other streaming service).
   
   Plus, let’s be honest—it’s kind of cool to have your own movie or music collection. Back in the day, I would go to my friends’ houses and look through their music or movie collections. It says a lot about who you are and what you like. It’s just fun.

The post Why I Am Going Back To Physical Media first appeared on Bettie Toon.

<p>The post Why I Am Going Back To Physical Media first appeared on Bettie Toon.</p>

I love making lists, including putting things on my wishlist, and I’ve decided to share the items on my wishlist with you. Right now, spring is around the corner, so you will mostly find spring and summer items on my list. I am so ready for more sunshine and warmer weather.

I also have a few other items on my wishlist—physical media, actually. I love using CDs because they bring back a lot of good memories. I also found a game that I would love to have on my Nintendo Switch 2.

Things on my Wishlist

1. Flowy dresses: I’m already thinking about the warmer weather, and that means flowy dresses. I would love to find one or two long, flowy dresses.
2. Trousers: I found these on a webshop (Takko Fashion), and they had them in several colors. I really liked this one. Unfortunately, it’s only available online. I hope they will also become available in stores, or maybe I’ll find something similar at thrift stores.
3. Cute tops: I wear dark colors most of the time. Most of the time you will see me wearing black. But I’m ready to start wearing some color, and I really liked the color of this top.
4. Tiered maxi skirt: I have been looking for something similar for so long. I don’t want to buy clothes online, so I hope I will find one in a physical store in my size.
5. Shorts: These look pretty short, to be honest. I prefer them to be a bit longer. Maybe I could also find a pair of long jeans and cut the legs off.
6. Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits: I loved Christina Aguilera when I was a kid, and I would love to have her greatest hits on one album.

1. Pink items: Pink doesn’t always look great on me because warmer, darker colors suit me better. But I thought maybe bright pink jeans or something similar could look nice with a dark or black top.
2. Flowy tops: I love cute, flowy tops, so hopefully I can find something similar as well.
3. Blouses: I love wearing blouses. I usually wear them open with a shirt underneath. I found this one and they had so many beautiful colors. Right now, I really like the purple/lilac one.
4. T-shirts with a little bit of color: It’s easy to create a simple look with a T-shirt like this and still look great. They’re comfy as well.
5. The Essential Britney Spears: I also loved Britney Spears growing up, and I would love to have her greatest hits on one album.
6. Pokopia: Last but not least. This game was released pretty recently. I wanted to wait and see if I would like it. I’ve watched some videos, and I think this might be the perfect game for me.

What is on your wishlist?

The post Things On My Wishlist (March 2026) first appeared on Bettie Toon.

<p>The post Things On My Wishlist (March 2026) first appeared on Bettie Toon.</p>

In today’s fast-paced digital world, everything is just a click away. We scroll endlessly, stream without limits, and store thousands of books, songs, and movies in tiny devices. But while convenience is at its peak, something else is quietly slipping away: joy. That’s where offline media comes in. Whether it’s flipping through a glossy magazine, putting a record on the turntable, popping in a DVD, or curling up with a paperback, physical media has a way of grounding us in the moment and creating a deeper, more meaningful connection.

The Magic of Tangibility

There’s something incredibly satisfying about holding a book in your hands, sliding a DVD into the player, or hearing the crackle of a vinyl record. Unlike digital files that vanish behind screens, physical media engages multiple senses: the smell of paper, the texture of glossy pages, the click of a DVD case closing. These small, tactile details add layers of experience that digital media can’t replicate. You actually own all of the music, books and movies you love.

A Break From Constant Connectivity

When you’re offline, there are no push notifications or endless distractions pulling you away. Reading a book, flipping through a magazine, or watching a DVD means you’re truly there immersed in the story or music, not half-scrolling and half-listening. Offline media allows for presence, focus, and the kind of enjoyment that feels rare in a world of multitasking. Since I started to spend more time offline, I started to love DVDs, CDs, magazines and reading again.

The Rituals That Bring Comfort

Playing a vinyl record, choosing a CD, or selecting a DVD from your shelf isn’t just about consuming content—it’s about ritual. It slows you down, makes you more intentional, and turns the act into an experience. Movie nights feel special when you pick a DVD, maybe watch the bloopers or behind-the-scenes, and commit to enjoying the film without distractions. The same goes for lighting a candle while reading a magazine or setting the needle on your favorite record. These rituals turn ordinary moments into cozy, meaningful ones.

Nostalgia and Connection

Offline media carries with it a sense of nostalgia. Old magazines capture a snapshot of culture, vinyl records remind us of eras gone by, DVDs bring back the excitement of owning your favorite movie, and books become lifelong companions on our shelves. Owning physical copies connects us not only to the past but also to the joy of collecting and cherishing something tangible.

Final Thoughts

In a digital world, joy often comes from slowing down, unplugging, and savoring something real. Offline media offers that joy. It’s not about rejecting technology but about finding balance—choosing moments where you can disconnect and immerse yourself in the simple pleasure of a book, a magazine, a DVD, or a record.

So next time you’re overwhelmed by endless scrolling, try reaching for something offline. You might just find that joy lives between the pages, within the grooves, or inside the shiny disc waiting for you on the shelf.

The post Why Physical Media Brings More Joy in a Digital World first appeared on Bettie Toon.

<p>The post Why Physical Media Brings More Joy in a Digital World first appeared on Bettie Toon.</p>