Nostalgia Article by: Svetina S

 Nostalgia

Article by: Svetina S

    I’m sure we all know the feeling of familiarity when we are reminded of an old childhood toy, the place we grew up, or a school that we’ve graduated from long ago. A strange bubbly feeling rises in our chests, and we try to take it all in- to remember those memories that we had once buried. Strangely enough, nostalgia is often regarded as something nice. It’s a warm feeling, one that fills us with joy. But why is that? How can the feeling of missing something be nice?

The feeling of familiarity is something that many people reach for. Familiarity means knowing, and knowing means comfort. The comfort of a life you once knew, of happiness you once had. A comforting feeling feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. It wraps you up and promises you protection from the bitter coldness of reality. It promises happiness, an escape from the real world into the world of dreams and memories. 

And yet, underneath that happiness, there lies a bittersweet feeling of regret. You miss what you once had. You want it back, no matter the cost. The innocence and ignorance of something that once was. The worst part is that you can never return to your youth, no matter how much you wish. Time is linear. Trying to immerse yourself deeper in the past will only result in a disconnection from reality, and you will lose sight of what is around you in the present tense. 

I think that it is important to recognize both the positive and negative aspects of nostalgia. Let the wave of recognition wash over you and pass through, not stay. Remember what you once had, not in order to chase it, but to remember how lucky you once were- and to recognize that you are likely just as lucky now, just in ways that you may not realize.