It’s 11:45 p.m., the day after your graduation. After two incredibly hectic days, you are anticipating hopping on this bus, ready to experience one of the most amazing 36 hours of your life. 36 hours. It seems like plenty, but you wish you could live those 36 hours all over again.
These hours were filled with endless giggles, comfort, and memories waiting to be woven into the tapestry of your life. Walking through a timeless fictional world, you held hands with the people you loved the most. Tasting and sharing mesmerizing creations, with each bite leaving you craving for more. You stood in lines that led to the best conversations, creating bonds you didn’t even know existed.
Stepping onto the rides, the world blurred into a whirlwind of screams and a rush of euphoria.
Laughter mingled with the sounds of the park, creating a symphony of pure happiness. You felt complete. In a way, almost at peace. You captured these enchanting moments because you were well aware it was one of your lasts. You didn’t want it to end, but it eventually did.
You made sure to buy a bracelet to remind yourself of the love you felt, and to keep these memories close to your heart. Months have passed, but now every time you look down at your bracelet, you are reminded of those 36 hours. You cherish the time that you spent before the buses, on the buses, and in DisneyLand for your senior year grad night.
That feeling you feel is nostalgia.
By definition, nostalgia is “sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations’ ”. Nostalgia is complex, and while this definition works, nothing can perfectly convey the way you feel when you’re nostalgic. As humans, it helps us keep in touch with our past, reminds us of who we were, and honors how far we’ve come. It can be a bittersweet feeling.
I think we can all collectively agree that there are certain things that evoke a shared sense of nostalgia. One aspect of this is movies. I’m sure most, if not all, of us have seen the movie “Home Alone”. When watching or even thinking about this movie, we are reminded of cozy winter break nights and spending time with family and friends.
Another aspect of this is music. We often associate specific songs with particular time periods, and when those times resurface or something triggers our memories, the music serves as a powerful reminder of that period in our lives. Some common examples of music are throwback songs, which are music from the past that people still enjoy and celebrate in the present, often for their nostalgic or sentimental value.
Although this is not a throwback song, a more personal example of a song is “Maroon” by Taylor Swift. “Maroon”, the second track on the album “Midnights” was released on October 21, 2022. Like many others, when I hear this song I am transported back to the autumn of 2022, walking to class on a cold, cloudy morning in a hoodie and leggings, listening to Midnights on repeat.
It also reminds me of events that happened during this time period, and while these events vary from person to person, we are still reminded of them. Another song that evokes a similar feeling for me is “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylors Version) (From the Vault)”.
Certain memories or times in your life trigger strong feelings, often bringing a bittersweet feeling. The strength of these emotions stem from the deep connections between memory and feeling. The memories are charged with joy, love, and contentment which is why they are so engraved in our brains.
The bittersweet side of nostalgia arises from the mixture of happiness and the sense of loss associated with these memories. Bitter in knowing those moments are gone, sweet in reliving those memories.
For me, I get really nostalgic when looking at old photos. Each photo serves as a time machine, bringing back the emotions and sensations I felt. While I can’t physically go back in time, each photo enables me to relive those memories through my heart and mind and I am very grateful for that.
Nostalgia can be comforting and a source of motivation. You can miss it, but you can also appreciate and move on from it. You don’t have to be stuck. Instead, nostalgia can act as a guiding star, helping you to find strength and motivation to create new moments that may be nostalgic treasures in the future.
Nostalgia is a deep emotional feeling, but more importantly unique for everyone. Nostalgia plays a huge role in my life. It’s a lens through which I view the world, appreciating the beauty of memories while still being open to new experiences. The comfort of nostalgia and the excitement of what’s to come, makes life all more vibrant and meaningful. Cherish the past while still embracing the possibilities of the future; that’s what makes us human after all.
How will you embrace and cherish your own nostalgic memories? Let us know @HerCampusSJSU