I am a very nostalgic person. I have a collection of old pictures of family and friends I’ve known throughout my life close at hand, and view them often. I listen to music that takes me back to previous times. I even visit places I’ve lived in during the past, places I’ve vacationed in, reliving those pleasant memories, indulging myself.
So I was interested to find, as I dipped into this topic, that there is so much more to learn about nostalgia, and the theories behind the processes we go through as we experience it.
Some background about the meaning of nostalgia
Nostalgia was not always looked on favorably. At one time, it was considered a mental illness, and other theories placed it among the least admirable tendencies, even suggesting that nostalgic people were weak and self indulgent.
Allison Gilbert, discussing the history of nostalgia in a November, 2016, article in O.The Oprah Magazine, says:
“In 1688, Swiss doctor Johannes Hofer coined the term to describe the persistent sadness and sometimes irregular heartbeats experienced by young people abroad. Their emotional and physical ailments, he wrote, were stirred by “continuous vibration of animal spirits through those fibers of the middle brain. Later, military physicians treating Swiss mercenaries, a group seen as particularly vulnerable to the ailment, theorized that it resulted from damage to their eardrums and brains from the incessant clanging of cowbells in the Alps.”
Since then, she points out, nostalgia has continued to be maligned, at times, being classified as a compulsive disorder or form of depression.
Is nostalgia living in the past, and is that bad for us?
There is a difference between merely enjoying the past, allowing yourself to pick and choose memories because they make you feel good, and spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about the past.. Psychologists suggest that living in the past is self defeating and futile, yet we all know people who do that to excess.
Karen Ann Kennedy, health coach and author, (HuffPst,, 06/06/2014) wrote about this, saying:
“Sometimes we live in the past because it’s familiar — we know what happened; there are no surprises. Think about why you watch your reruns of your favorite old sitcoms over and over again. Think of the middle-aged guy you know that always talks about his days as a high school football player; the mom with three kids that talks incessantly about her days as a college gymnast; the retired executive that relives over and over again her days as the head of a Fortune 500 company. When the past was really good, you can live there because just thinking back on it gives you a feeling of comfort and happiness.”
Living in the past has negative connotations, as does living for the future—those two practices actually rob us of living in the present, where, truth be told, all life happens!
What happens in our brains when we dwell in the past?
Although nostalgia is only beginning to attract scientific interest, some recent research has attempted to explain it. Julia Layton, writing a science piece for “How Stuff Works” outlines this research:
According to various sources cited in Laytons’ article, the limbic system plays a major role in the processing and storage of memories: memories are stored in the hippocampus, and emotions are stored in the amygdala, where memories experienced while in a highly emotional state are also stored.
Sensory stimulation has long been considered a high road to memory—music, pictures, even taste can bring back memories. Yet oddly, Layton discovered, scents, music, or even reunions with long-lost friends are not the major triggers of nostalgia. Rather, she says, feeling negative or being in a bad mood leads people most readily to these nostalgic feelings. Topping these negative feelings is loneliness.
To Layton, it makes sense. She says:
“Nostalgic memories tend to revolve around positive social experiences — good times with friends, laughing at the “kids table” at Thanksgiving dinner — and in a lonely state, calling on those memories, and yearning to relive them, is a natural response.”
It seems that almost any dark mood can lead to nostalgia. In one component of the 2006 research, in which subjects responded to different news stories, any emotionally negative state they felt increased the likelihood of nostalgizing. One observation of this exercise was that worrying, feeling grief and sadness can all induce varying degrees of nostalgia..
So where does this leave me, a self-professed lover of nostalgia? I feel that my current state, retired, happy and fully engaged in life, denies the research—I refuse to believe that it’s unhappiness, or any dark mood that brings on my frequent feelings of nostalgia.
But then, I discovered Laytons’ footnote, and her conclusion that when we are feeling nostalgic, we are trying to re-create a feeling, not trying to relive or go back to the event, a futile exercise at best!
This is confirmed by Dr. Alan R. Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, quoted in Laytons’ article, who says this:
“Nostalgia does not relate to a specific memory, but rather to an emotional state. This idealized emotional state is framed within a past era.”
And lastly, in Psychology Today (Art Markman, Ph.D. November, 2013) a study reports that participants who were induced to feel nostalgic also expressed more optimism for the future. Apparently, nostalgia makes people feel more socially connected to others, which boosts positive feelings about themselves. That increases self-esteem, which then increases feelings of optimism.
This set of studies suggests that nostalgia can play a beneficial role in lives, my own included. I think this is especially significant for older people, who frequently face major life changes. It’s comforting to know that by focusing on positive past experiences, we can feel more optimistic about the future.
So I’ll continue to allow myself the pleasure of remembering the past, dipping into old photographs, nostalgic music, connections with old friends, and recapturing those powerful emotions I’ve felt in the past—it’s all part of what gives life meaning and brings me happiness!
Provocative article and very interesting citing’s. I’d like to add that returning to the past can be an act of reclaiming and reframing events to bring about personal resolve and deeper understanding of one’s self. Life happens in the moment, but the experience and the meaning of the moment is informed by how we interpret both our past and envision our future. I believe that it’s possible to live in the moment, not forget or forego the past, and hope for the future . . .
I like your idea that there is a purpose to nostalgia, and that we can use it as a learning tool. Great ideas, Stephanie, especially the resolve not to ignore the past, always have hope for the future, and strive to live in the present!
Very interesting! I had no idea that research into nostalgia was a thing. Thanks for bringing it up and explaining it well.
I’m learning that there is research on absolutely everything—ask Google, and ye shall learn! Thanks, Rin!
Great article. I have often wondered if thinking about the last was harmful in moving forward. I seem to reminisce around anniversaries as death of my brother 39 years ago on Feb 14 he was only 30. It isn’t that I was trying to remember I just do. Then, I start remembering and wondering what might have been
There is a lot of sadness to nostalgia, for sure, Donna. Whenever I think about my mother (which is probably every day), I try to focus on the good things about her life, and there were many!
so interesting that much of what we (or rather our medical codes) were from norms of a particular time! I know we’re finding out more and more about the brain and how it functions but it seems that the main populace is still stuck in what the past authorities claimed as healthy or not!
I think if it brings you joy to think upon people or places and even things and events – then you should! I suppose the trick to staying healthy is that maybe nostalgia falls under ‘all things in moderation?’ anyway. a fascinating discussion! thank you for the new insights!
Of course, tammy j, moderation if the key! I know the research I’ve cited comes from a few years ago, but the science discipline seems like that, I suspect—if the study is okay, they don’t see the need to replace it! There is lots of new research on the brain, but nothing new on the nostalgia front, at least I couldn’t find it!
Thanks for the positive spin on nostalgia! As we grow older, it’s easy to dismiss the past rather than re-claiming the joyful moments. Reminiscing also allows us to make peace with the not-so-happy memories.
And because we are human, we all have those not-so-happy experiences that might still be lurking in our minds, and not quite resolved. You are right, greytop, reminiscing is our chance to change those thoughts to more philosophical ones.
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be! Sorry, someone had to say it! A very interesting piece, Diane. I had no idea that there was so much research on this, but I’m comforted to know that I’m just wanting to recreate my feelings about bygone days, rather than this meaning that I have a mental illness. Well, not that one, anyway! It’s sad that ‘science’ has attached that label to what to me seem like normal emotions: as we get older we have more of a life on which to reflect. The trick, I think, is to keep it realistic and grounded, and not to let it determine important decisions – just look at the damage misplaced nostalgia is causing on the political front in certain countries. I’m now off to listen to some music to assist my feelings of nostalgia: Jethro Tull’s ‘Living In The Past’ feels just right for that 😊
Cute, Clive. It’s true that as we get older, it feels good to look back and see the years and years of living we have done, and the experiences we have had, good and bad! Jethro Tull—I loved his music, and will listen to that song today. Thanks!
Glad I’ve prompted you towards something good! I love that band, and finally got the chance to see them play live a few years ago. It brought back happy memories 😊
I saw them in Vancouver in 1991 (somewhere there) and found the entire performance delightful!
I don’t think about the past that much, and when I do it’s with warm feelings, for both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences and the people involved. But this past year I did a lot of mourning for what my mother went through when she was my age — she died of lung cancer 17 days after her 79th birthday, and I turned 79 last year. So throughout the year I would occasionally think of what she had been experiencing when she was my age.
I was very close to her and loved her deeply, so this mourning was a form of connection to her and to life. Notice Trait #10 of the The Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People:
I believe in mourning when it’s appropriate. It’s an important part of life.
Thanks for pointing me to those traits—I know I’m resilient, but not necessarily stress-free, although I’m working on that! Our family, me included, mourned our mothers’ death for a long time. Her name still comes up repeatedly when we are together—she was our hero. I’m glad you are able to mourn your mother in such a healing way, Jean.
Hi Diane! I tend to be a very forward looking type person. I guess I always have been. But I do enjoy — really enjoy –looking back at memories that were fun or very sweet. I take lots of photos when we travel and when I return I usually make a slideshow of all the photos and then years later go back and look through them. I love that! I also appreciate the photos I have of my parents and and older sister who have passed away. I remember them with sweetness, not really sadness, so maybe it is all the definition of nostalgia. I DON’T long to go back or do it over, just enjoy holding sweet memories. Maybe that makes a difference? Anyway,, thanks for the some thought provoking ideas. ~Kathy
I would never want to go back to my past—that’s all over, done with, memories made, and lessons learned! There is much sweetness in my memories also. And what a good idea to make a slide show of your travels—so easy to access them and re-visit your great experiences!
Honestly, I think I used to be more nostalgic than I am today. I remember going to my 25th high school reunion and seeing a lot of old friends and it was all very nostalgic. But somehow, after that, the past seemed to fall away as I focused on my kids and their friends and the prospect of grandchildren … and now the past seems so long ago and far away.
That suggests to me that you are living in the present—which is an enviable place to be! I think I was that way too, when I was younger, but as the years pass, and the intensity of my life lessens, I find myself longing to revisit yesterday. It’s a stage of life, and there is a time for everything…
Whether we like it or not, we simply become nostalgic whenever something triggers a memory. This is universal and I am told that even very advanced spiritual recluses experience nostalgia. My friend who is incidentally a psychiatrist tells me that there is nothing wrong with nostalgia but allowing it to rule one’s emotional state is where the problem resides.
I enjoy my spells of nostalgia and all the better if I can have company to do that with. Some of my reunions with classmates or ex colleagues are great orgies of nostalgia as was my recent trip with my son with whom I was confined in a car for six hours with no other distraction. Both of us reminisced about many past long trips missing his mother.
I however find little time to be nostalgic as I lead a fairly busy life with many things that demand focussed attention.
Reminiscing with people who share your memories is vastly superior to reminiscing alone. I often phone my sisters to talk about our mother and our youth. Others can bring things up that they remember, and I’m always pleased and surprised when an anecdote I’ve forgotten comes up. And I agree that you must not allow nostalgia to rule your life, or as you put it, your emotional state. Wise words, Rummuser!
I certainly agree with you and have experienced no harm from my instances of indulging in nostalgia. Living a long life for some may evolve into their nostalgic instances being experiences that no one else shares as I’m currently coincidentally, considering — a situation some may be surprised to learn does occur.
We who have lived a long life, of course, have many more experiences to reminisce about—or, at least years! And as we age, and others leave us, there will be times when there is no one left to share them. That is sad, but it is a reality.
An excellent perspective, Diane. If only our leaders could learn more from the past – no need to want to go back there to appreciate it
So true, Derrick. We are doomed, as they say, if we don’t learn from the past. I used to think it was only young people who refused to take seriously the wisdom of those who came before them. But that’s not the case now. It’s the people in charge, who are Boomers, essentially, who are making a mess of things.
Interesting thoughts/reflections/research on nostalgia’s multiple meanings. Like you, I also enjoy trawling through old photos; and a song I loved when I was 13, upon a chance hearing now, can bring tears to my eyes. I think of these moments as a celebration of my life, and a reminder that “tempus” does indeed “fugit.”
I know the meaning of that term as well. Time just seems to fly out the window—I hope I haven’t wasted too much of it, although I’m quite sure I have dithered a lot of it away! Thanks, Amy. Nice thoughts!
I was not going to add my 2 cents but after one comment above I decide to jump into the “fray”. So at just 71 I am a “boomer” so I may not really be part of the generation of the “lucky few”. I may be intruding here because of this generational difference Just consider this a comment from the “younger generation”.
I think nostalgia is fine if you keep it to yourself and stop comparing how great it was vs how bad it is. I started volunteering with a group that generally is 8-12 years older than me and some days the conversations are about all I can take. It becomes a “remember when” party with a lot of “kids these days” thrown in. Thankfully I am of a non-confrontational disposition and I can easy excuse myself from the group so I stay out of trouble . I am in the upper Midwest (not my native place) where the nostalgia is so thick you can cut it with a knife somedays.
I’d like to learn form the past, but as a way to go forward, not a way to “go back”. There no “going back”. All I ever seem to hear around here is “we just have to get back to…”. We may get to the place you want but it will be by going forward to get there. And it will be a different “there” when we get there.
Please, tell your stories, tell us (us being the younger generation) how much you enjoyed life. Tell us about our ancestors, the way it was, We love to hear these. But, please, please stop by ending with “you younger generation…..”. Thanks , your just ruined it.
I will end with this… If you think the it’s “boomers” who are making a mess of things just remember who raised us.
I will also say that after we retired to the Midwest I find this a pretty good place to retire. Mostly there seems to be no “youth culture” here. A place where you don’t feel so old since there are few youth oriented activities. It’s all about state and local fairs and small town life (even in the cities). Sort of comfortable – like a well broken in pair of shoes. So I kind of like it here from that standpoint.
Boomers and Generation X, or your generation, I’ll say, are caught between two demographics—the Silent Generation (us) and the Millennials, who dominate the culture today (or will, soon). Having lived through the rise of your generation, as you swamped the job market, gained tremendous spending power, became materialistic, and abandoned your initial left wing and socially kinder beliefs for more conservative convictions, I have been more than a little dismayed at how business has taken over our culture, about how the environment has been damaged, at how your generation consumed and consumed. I’m sure my generation is not blameless—we happily joined you in most everything you did. But it’s true that your generation comprises the bulk of the influencers right now, and has the power to govern and make changes. Yes, my final sentence in the comment you cite is harsh. I do seem to be blaming the Boomers. I don’t usually generalize, but I did just then—my bad. But things are in a mess, and your generation is still in charge. And I agree with you Bob, we shouldn’t look to the past for an example of a perfect world. It wasn’t, and there is no “going back”.
I think part of the JOY of being a human being is the ability to be ‘nostalgic,’ and to bring back memories in our brain. I’m not sure any other animal or creature is capable of doing this. Sad, bad memories could definitely bring on depression, but most of us, I believe, prefer to remember the wonderful parts of our lives; the people, the events, the scenery. I know I do. In a recent post, I called this ‘time warping,’ and I’m so thankful we have the ability to remember and rejoice.
I agree, I treasure the ability I have to remember, not only the highlights, but copious details sometimes in great, swaths of nostalgia. Possible this is what has attracted me to writing. After all, imagination and age-related wisdom are great, but we do need the details to hang it all together!
Very interesting and thought-provoking research, Diane. I never view focusing on the past, present or future as negative, as long as we keep it in balance. It sounds like you are doing just that. Finding pleasure and happiness in our memories — what could be better?!
It’s positive for me, especially since the details of those memories are strong, and give me fodder for my writing. And of course, I try to keep it all in balance, and I don’t, I really don’t (in spite of my title), let it get out of hand and end up living in the past!
Another article with lots to consider and many points of view presented for consideration.
I don’t consider myself an overly nostalgic person but it only takes an object, sound or smell sometimes for me to be transported to a time in the past.
As for black moods and sadness prompting nostalgia, maybe this is how it works for some people who are looking for happier times and they revert to the past to find them.
Anyway, life would hardly be worth living if we didn’t have good memories to look back on.
Alphie
Thanks, Alphie, my sentiments exactly!
Great article!! I was away and didn’t read it until this week. So many things come to mind. I. Nostalgia seems to play a part in our evolution. So in some way it must be necessary. 2. I think there is a difference between nostalgia around the people or events in your own life and waxing on a whole way of living from the past. i.e. someone might long for the ‘good old days’, you know the simplier old days, except people were also getting lynched. 3. The part where we must learn from the past in order not to repeat it. That has been key to my own life which included a lot of naivety and now I remember more difficult times with more wisdom and think about what really was going on. Which is very close to 4. Appreciation of those who were once with us. and finally 5. I often find myself shedding my Western thought (past, present, future) and ‘feel’ spirits all around. Some familiar (nostalgic,) and some unfamiliar. My own personal belief is that love connects and in some way our past is our present and strength for our future. And if we long for somewhere else…there is always a book. Talking about what we’ve read is less likely to label is with the ‘weakness’ of nostalgia.
As for the groups we are in…Boomers, Gen X, The Greatest….etc. It’s the economy that changes and our response to it. We all respond, or try to resist. But the economy made some things that used to cost a penny now be $1. As an example, there is not ‘cents’ sign on my computer.
I read you comment with very great interest, Alexandra! You make some excellent points, especially in your reference to the wisdom we gain as we age. Thank you, as always.
Comments are closed.