The ’60s and ’70s were a time of revolutionary change, and the hippie movement left an indelible mark on our culture. So if you were lucky enough to live through these years, you might just be channeling your inner flower child. Let’s look at 19 telltale signs that you were a hippie.
Communes
Communes were a popular alternative living arrangement for hippies, offering a way to escape the perceived isolation and materialism of mainstream society and create a more collaborative and supportive living environment. Forbes says the “U.S. had as many as 3,000 smaller communes of its own during the 1960s and 1970s, populated by young idealists in search of an alternative lifestyle.”
Tie-Dye
The swirling patterns and bold colors embodied the free-spirited, anti-establishment values of the hippie generation. If you sported tie-dye clothing, it was a clear sign that you were part of a larger community of like-minded individuals who embraced peace, love, and a rejection of societal norms. Tie-dye wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a declaration of your values.
Different Religions
The hippie movement embraced a more open-minded approach to spirituality, encouraging the exploration of different beliefs and practices. So if you attended a Buddhist temple, studied the teachings of a guru, or simply spent time contemplating the universe in nature, your willingness to explore different spiritual paths is a sign that you were a free-thinking hippie at heart.
Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury was the epicenter of the hippie movement, drawing thousands of young people seeking a community of peace, love, and social change. So, if you made the pilgrimage, you are most likely a lover and not a fighter. Even if you find yourself drawn to this iconic neighborhood, it’s a clear indication of being a hippie.
Experimentation
It’s no secret that psychedelics were popular with hippies during these years, used as a way to expand their consciousness and connect with a higher power. They also challenged traditional views on sexuality, advocating for free love and exploring alternative relationship structures. If you chose to dabble, it might be a hard ‘yes’ that you were a hippie.
Woodstock
Woodstock wasn’t just a music festival; it was about standing up for something bigger than yourself. It was an opportunity to escape into music while spreading a message of unity and peace. Scientific Research maintains that “during those three days, the anti-war slogan ‘Make love, not war’ was spread throughout the venue.” Some participants took that a bit too… literally.
Crystals
If you had a fascination with crystals or believed that crystals held unique vibrations and energies, then you were surely a hippie. Whether you used crystals for meditation, carried them in your pocket for good luck, or simply admired their natural beauty, your belief in their power is a telltale sign of your hippie roots.
Protests
White House History describes how the “Vietnam anti-war movement was one of the most pervasive displays of opposition to government policy in modern times.” So, if you were protesting the war, fighting for civil rights, or championing environmental protection, your activism is a testament to your passion for creating a more just and equitable world.
Not Eating Meat
Many hippies adopted vegetarian or vegan diets as part of their commitment to nonviolence and respect for all living beings. They believed that eating a plant-based diet was healthier, more sustainable, and more in line with their spiritual values. If you were a hippie, you may have embraced a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
On the Road
If you hit the open road and embraced a nomadic lifestyle, traveling across the country in search of new experiences, communities, and ways of living, then it is certain you were a hippie. Whether you lived out of a backpack, hitchhiked the great open roads, or simply followed the music festivals, your wanderlust spirit is a hallmark of the hippie ethos.
Percussion Instruments
If you have a certain affiliation with playing the tambourine or the hand drum, it is most probable that you were a hippie. So if singing circles are your jam and songs like “Kumbaya, My Lord” are saved to your favorites, then it might be time to add to your quiver and get some maracas and a rain stick for the next drum circle.
Fear of Microwaves
Microwaves and their safety and impact on food quality caused many people in the ‘60s and ‘70s to be skeptical. But hippies, with their emphasis on natural living, were fearful of microwaves, preferring to cook their food using traditional methods. If you shared this distrust of microwaves, it’s another sign that you were aligned with the back-to-nature values of the hippie movement.
Vintage Preferences
If you are more likely to be found perusing the stalls of your local flea market than maneuvering the maze of Ikea, it’s a sign; you’re a hippie. Hippies often rejected mass-produced fashion in favor of vintage clothing, which they saw as more authentic and expressive of their individuality. Thrift stores and flea markets were treasure troves for unique finds.
Lava Lamps
Lava lamps, with their hypnotic, ever-changing patterns, became synonymous with the psychedelic culture of the ’60s and ’70s. If you were a hippie, chances are you owned a lava lamp or at least coveted one; maybe you even still do—they are pretty groovy after all!
Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock was the soundtrack to capturing the spirit of experimentation, mind expansion, and social change. The swirling guitars, trippy lyrics, and extended jams created a sonic landscape that resonated with the hippie ethos. If you were a hippie, you likely spent countless hours listening to psychedelic rock, immersing yourself in its otherworldly soundscapes.
Bare Feet
Going barefoot was a common practice among hippies—to be with nature as much as possible. Whether you walked barefoot through fields of wildflowers, danced barefoot at a concert, or simply strolled shoeless down the street, it was a sign that you embraced the hippie philosophy of living in harmony with nature and rejecting materialistic values.
Peace & Love
If you didn’t have the sticker in your car window, then you were wearing the peace sign around your neck, or both. The phrase “Peace & Love” was more than just a slogan for hippies; it was a way of life. They believed in the power of love to overcome hate, and they actively sought to create a more peaceful and compassionate world. If you embraced this mantra, it’s possible you were a hippie at heart.
Beads & Headbands
Maybe you adorned yourself with wooden beads and headbands to express your individuality and creativity. Britannica states how “males grew beards, and both men and women wore sandals and beads.” Whether you wore them to music festivals, protests, or simply as part of your everyday attire, beads and headbands were a clear sign that you embraced the hippie aesthetic.
Anti-Establishment Views
Hippies rebelled against war and haircuts and dreamed of a world outside the confines of the West where life and art would go hand in hand. They stood for peaceful protest that would lead to the utopian, free-love world they envisioned. If you too were an activist and picketed against the establishment, then it is highly likely you were a hippie.
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