Everyone says that kids born in the 2000s had “the same childhood”, and from personal experience I believe that may be true. We all loved the same cartoons, movies, toys, and sugary, over-processed foods. The Webster definition of nostalgia reads, “a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition”. In these times, I believe this is something we can all turn to when our minds begin to wander into fear of the future, or even of the present. Remembering a simpler time can inspire and motivate people to keep pushing forward, whether it be to make their younger selves proud, or for the hope that there are simpler days ahead. Although some may say escaping to the past can make the present worse, rediscovering your sense of childhood wonder can turn any situation upside down and offer a brand new sense of optimism.
Nostalgic objects or behaviors is something most younger generations can bond over. Finding out you and your friends crushed on the same Disney star or teen cartoon character and played with your dolls in the same strange, yet hilariously sadistic, ways is so inexplainibly heart warming. Another oddly sentimental moment is when an episode of spongebob is on the TV and everyone aimlessly quotes the same joke in unison. It’s just one of those feelings where your heart goes “ya know, we turned out okay”. So next time you feel down, grab some Gushers, and throw Nickelodeon on. You may find things aren’t always what they seem.