Significant changes in the way people lived before compared to the present?

You could get 10% on your saving so it was worth  saving and when you retired you could get a decent income from them.

Now virtually 0% interest encourages people to spend like mad ( largely helping the Chinese economy) and run up huge debts. Fine while you’re working, but loose you job and your f@cked.

Are recorded by historians in books.

History books.

There was a time, not very long ago, when Americans actually worked for what they wanted or needed.  Today there are millions leeching off the federal taxpayers while those taxpayers work harder and longer just to pay their own bills along with the high, and increasing, taxes that pay for the unconstitutional programs that kiss the a$$es of the millions.

Not long ago, starts ran their education systems and the federal government said nothing about them.  Today, the federal government dictates failed and unconstitutional indoctrination programs on a one-size-fits-all basis.

There was a time when people who committed crimes were arrested and jailed to await trial and, upon conviction, prison.  Today mobs are allowed to destroy entire cities or takeover parts of cities and face no sanction or punishment.

Want more?

which era?

Babylonian?

Roman?

Anglo Saxon England?

Early Settler Americans?

Native Americans?

Baby Boomers?

There are so many that a short answer could not name a quarter of them, both in physical day-to-day living and in political matters.

Maybe try to find some really old people near where you are, and ask them gently and nicely. 

That's far too vague a question.

"Before" what?  What time period do you mean?

Before COVID?  Last year?  100 years ago?  1,000 years ago?  A million years ago?