We all love to reminisce. To lose ourselves in memories of past lives—versions of ourselves who have since changed into who we are today. Unfortunately, this rabbit hole of happy memories, despite all its comfort, can often lead to stagnation or backward life choices.
Nostalgia had its grasp on my life for a while. I couldn’t move forward without thinking about what I’d be losing, what I’d be getting further away from. Growing up sucks, but refusing to grow up is even more detrimental. It wasn’t until high school that I started to keep nostalgia at arm’s length. Rather than compare experiences to past ones or linger on the best memories, I was able to redirect my focus onto new friends, new experiences, and new memories.
Obviously, not everyone will have that same problem. Nostalgia can help us reflect on how far we come, reminding us of the “good old days” in order to encourage us to live out our days in the same way we did back then. Too much nostalgia simply clogs the system and leaves the overthinker concerned with feelings and interests that have since disappeared.
Nostalgia is not inherently evil. It’s an emotion (that big entertainment companies love to capitalize on). But if we give too much power to nostalgia, like any emotion, it can corrupt us and override our ability to think straight. We could lose sight of potential future endeavors, wrongfully compare people and places to past experiences, and, worst of all, refuse to make new memories. At its worst, nostalgia can distract us from the present. At its best, nostalgia can provide the blueprint for what a positive future can look like.