Are we resetting, rejuvenating, and resting without even realizing it? In a world where we succumb to the gravity of the resolutions we set at the beginning of the year, only to be frustrated by them towards the end, there exists a subtler way we are inherently achieving what we want. We set enormous lists of goals and try to enforce them into our routines, only to lose track because the list seems so overwhelming altogether. Daily life gets in the way and we lose sight of what we were working towards apart from meeting immediate deadlines.
Psychologically, nostalgia increases the feeling of stability and belonging, making it a good ground to hold onto during difficult situations. Whether we’re in college, school, or work, we’re all leading a somewhat mundane lifestyle with respect to routines and responsibilities we have set for ourselves. The time of the year where we, as humans, get to come together and revive is what makes it worth it. Humans are built on the foundation of companionship, irrespective of the individualism we are forced to view as the ultimate success. Deep down, sharing memories and experiences with people makes us happy. Nostalgia refers to looking back at memories or reliving experiences that make us feel a sense of warmth and comfort. There are several triggering factors that help us achieve this feeling. Unknowingly, we associate certain smells, food items, and decor with particular occasions, and bringing them out brings a smile as well. We are in an age where we value “setting the mood” before starting a task, which enforces an emotionally present atmosphere. These sensory anchors become powerful bridges to our past.
The holidays have a particular pull over our childhood emotions and behaviors, bringing forth the feeling of belonging and the need to be cared for. Coming together and engaging in heartfelt conversations, baking, and decorating have such a simple yet impactful essence. Spending quality time with loved ones immediately boosts mental health and allows us to escape reality for the time being; not to avoid it, but to gain perspective on it. Sometimes you’re reflecting on your thoughts subconsciously while your favorite scent of candle burns in the background and your little sweet treat is cooking in the oven. Other times, contradicting the 8-hour sleep rule, you’re feeling replenished after staying awake all night talking with your cousins. All in all, it’s really more about what you’re taking away from your break and less about the pressure of going back. Productivity isn’t confined to desks and lists. When the environment shifts, a little change to the approach can redefine what it means to get work done. The most overlooked way of handling tasks is the art of subtly embodying productivity with presence rather than performance.
Much like Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30, where the mindset of a 13-year-old in a 30-year-old body takes life by charm, authenticity, and genuine connection, the holidays offer us a chance to view life with a different lens. She’s not performative or cynical like the adults around her, but instead uses her refreshing child-like mentality as an asset in the real world. Similarly, we may sometimes bury the inner child when the chaos in our worlds is louder than our thoughts. During the holidays, around the people we love, we have the chance to bring out a simpler time, one where things seem as light as they were back in the day.
After time well spent with people you enjoy spending it with and in a place that brings out a connection, you go back to reality feeling somewhat ready to challenge your work life. Throughout the time, you’ve never actually sat down and penned down your thoughts and forcefully tried to make a change. You just end up absorbing all the love, and it fills you up with just enough to sustain you until the next break. The change doesn’t come from rigid planning or performance; it comes from recalibration. We return from the holidays not because we’ve “fixed” ourselves with rest, but because we’ve momentarily remembered what actually matters and carried that memory back with us. Nostalgia, then, isn’t just escapism, it’s a means of refueling so we can face our real lives with renewed clarity and purpose.