Write to Win (Round 1): If you could live in any decade, which time period would you choose?
Our writing contest starts with 10 students, who are eliminated one at a time based on your votes and YP editors’ picks.
If you could travel back in time, which period would you choose to live in? Photo: ShutterstockRead the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt, and choose the answer you like most on this form.
January: I would choose the 1990s – a bridge between analogue simplicity and digital dawn. Grunge music, the rise of hip-hop and tech innovations like the internet’s infancy created cultural electricity. It was hopeful yet grounded – think mixtapes, blockbuster movies and blooming global connections. It was a decade where authenticity thrived before social media rewired our lives – the perfect balance.
February: I would choose to live in the decade I belong to. Every decade has its own challenges and beauty. I sometimes admire those living in another decade, but I feel lucky to live in this time period. The decade I belong to is the best for my story.
March: It would definitely be the 1800s. I would love to meet famous artists, poets and novelists such as Jane Austen and William Blake in person. One of my favourite shows – Bridgerton – takes place in this decade, and I would love to see what life was like in the 19th century. And we cannot forget about the Regency era’s elegant clothing style. As a fashion lover, it would be awe-inspiring to see the intricate designs of each piece.
April: I would choose the Tang dynasty (618 to 907) because it was a time of cultural prosperity and was open to foreign inspiration. I would also choose the Han dynasty (206BC to AD220) to accompany Zhang Qian and Ban Chao on their Silk Road missions to Central and Western Asia.
May: I would choose to live in the 1110s in imperial China. This was China’s Song dynasty, a time of great literature advancements. The relative era of peace and generally advanced civilisation allowed a comfortable life at the peak of the dynasty.
June: I would choose the 1990s. Nowadays, everyone is focused on gadgets, eyes constantly glued to screens. Back then, children would do more physical and meaningful activities, such as cycling around the neighbourhood and throwing a ball around. I would appreciate nature more and cherish the little details.
July: In the 1950s, when World War II ended, there was relative peace and rock 'n' roll music became popular. I would encounter portable televisions and pocket-sized radios, uncommon today, all while the economy was at its peak.
August: I would live in the 80s. Life was simpler, a time of great pop culture when the best music and films were produced. Everyone could enjoy a slower-paced life, and children would have more freedom without the risk from strangers.
September: I would choose the 70s. The era gave birth to excellent music, including disco hits and other diverse styles. It also marked the rise of environmental consciousness as the first Earth Day was observed in 1970. Additionally, in 1976, Hong Kong welcomed the first supersonic passenger aircraft, the Concorde. It landed at Kai Tak Airport, a thrilling moment for aviation enthusiasts like myself. The 70s had unforgettable music, increased environmental awareness and groundbreaking aviation feats, making it an era I would love to experience.
October: I would live in the 1960s when Hong Kong was booming with industrialisation. It may not have been a time of wealth, but it embraced simplicity and a more content life. I want to experience my grandma’s teen years as I have often wondered what working as a young person at a textile manufacturer was like.