I don’t know who needs to hear this, but being a kid in the 2000s and early 2010s was really a time to be alive!
Remember when our biggest responsibilities were finishing our homework before our favorite show came on, making it home before the streetlights came on, and begging our parents to stop at McDonald’s? When five dollars at the corner store felt like you were rich? Or when hearing the ice cream truck coming down the street meant you had approximately five seconds to find some money from your mama? Those were the DAYS!
Now, don’t get me wrong, growing up is a blessing, but every once in a while, I’ll hear an old song, see a childhood cartoon, or come across a snack I haven’t had in years, and suddenly I’m wishing I could experience those moments just one more time. It’s funny how something so small can bring back so many memories.
Well, there’s actually a psychological explanation for that feeling. It’s called nostalgia, and it’s more powerful than you might think.
According to the American Psychological Association (2019), psychologist Dr. Krystine Batcho explains that nostalgia helps us feel connected to our past and reminds us of the people and experiences that shaped who we are today. In other words, sometimes we aren’t necessarily missing childhood itself. We’re missing the feelings, the familiar faces, and the little moments that made it special.
And honestly, I get it.
Growing up in Southeast D.C., I’ve come to appreciate how much the smallest memories can mean as you get older. Whether it’s remembering the excitement of summer break, playing outside with friends, or hearing a song that takes you right back to a certain time in your life, those memories have a way of staying with you.
What’s even more interesting is that our minds don’t remember every moment exactly as it happened. Researchers Constantine Sedikides and Tim Wildschut, along with their colleagues, explain that nostalgic memories often center around meaningful relationships and positive emotions (Sedikides et al., 2008). That’s part of why the past can sometimes feel like one big highlight reel.
Because let’s be serious, childhood wasn’t perfect. We got in trouble, had bad days, and thought being grounded was the end of the world. But years later, we tend to look back and laugh at things that once felt so serious.
And don’t even get me started on MUSIC! One minute you’re minding your business, and the next an old Disney Channel theme song or early 2010s hit comes on, and suddenly you know every single word. Research published in the journal Memory found that familiar music can bring back vivid personal memories and the emotions connected to them (Belfi et al., 2016). So yes, there’s actually a reason why that one throwback song can have you feeling some type of way!
But here’s what I find most interesting: nostalgia isn’t just about remembering the past. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that nostalgic memories can strengthen our sense of meaning in life by reminding us of important relationships and experiences (Routledge et al., 2011).
Personally, I think that’s beautiful. As we get older, life becomes filled with responsibilities, expectations, and new experiences. Sometimes we get so caught up in what’s next that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve already come.
Maybe we don’t miss being kids as much as we miss how life felt back then. The excitement of little things, the comfort of familiar places, and the freedom of enjoying a moment without worrying about tomorrow.
And while everybody’s childhood experience is different, I think there’s something special about holding on to the memories that made us happy.
If there’s one thing nostalgia has taught me, it’s that we don’t always realize we’re living through the good old days until they’re gone. So take the pictures, enjoy the little moments, laugh with your people, and make memories worth remembering.
Because one day, the life you’re living right now might be the very thing you wish you could experience all over again.
And doesn’t that feel like it’s happening more and more these days?
References
American Psychological Association. (2019). Does nostalgia have a psychological purpose? With Krystine Batcho, PhD[Audio podcast episode]. Speaking of Psychology. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/nostalgia
Belfi, A. M., Karlan, B., & Tranel, D. (2016). Music evokes vivid autobiographical memories. Memory, 24(7), 979–989. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2015.1061012
Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Hart, C. M., Juhl, J., Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M., & Schlotz, W. (2011). The past makes the present meaningful: Nostalgia as an existential resource. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(3), 638–652. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024292
Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., & Routledge, C. (2008). Nostalgia: Past, present, and future. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(5), 304–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00595.x