Nostalgia is a feeling almost everyone feels once in their lifetime. Defined by a bittersweet longing for comfort found in past experiences, lately nostalgia feels less like a quiet emotion and more like a cultural trend. Scrolling through social media, it’s hard not to notice the constant recreation of Y2K fashion, 2016 Snapchat aesthetic, and even the early 90’s feel; it’s everywhere, and I’m guilty of this too. Which raises the question: why does nostalgia feel so mainstream right now?
The Return Of Childhood Comforts
Maybe it started with the things we grew up with. Old cartoons, shows, and movies have been making a huge comeback, along with reboots or remakes of classics we didn’t even realize we missed. Even fashion trends from the early 2000’s are making their way back into our dorms and Instagram feeds. Something about familiar things makes us feel less stressed in overwhelming times, like watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars (my guilty pleasure). Whether it’s the laugh track of a childhood sitcom or the glow of retro clothing in your closet, comfort comes from the known.
Social Media and Curated Memories
Don’t worry, it’s not a personal niche—nostalgia is a social media phenomenon. TikTok edits of “core memories” and “rare aesthetics” dominate the For You Page, creating a bite-sized experience of the past. Algorithms throw old songs and vintage photos that make us pause and feel something. By packaging nostalgia into trends, social media has made it easier than ever to relive those moments – even when they’re not your own.
Growing up in Turbulent Times
Another reason for Gen Z’s obsession with nostalgia could be the fact that we are being shaped by uncertain times. From pandemics to unstable politics and constant online noise, it’s no wonder we seek some form of stability from “fonder” memories. Nostalgia can be a coping mechanism for the chaos around us.
Blast to the Past
Nostalgia isn’t just limited to memories; it can be found in photos, music, or even old items hidden in the back of our closet. I love taking a Polaroid as much as the next person; however, have we gotten to the point of romanticizing it? Older aesthetics now feel more tangible and imperfect in the way the present doesn’t. There is an admiration for reimagining a time that feels slower, simpler, or more “authentic” than the current world we scroll through daily.
Is Nostalgia Always a Good Thing?
For all the love we have for nostalgia, we tend to forget that it’s not all harmless. It inspires creativity and connection, but distracts us from the present. At what point does reflection and inspiration become escapism and avoidance? There is no concise answer I have to give (sorry), but that may be the point.
Scrolling through TikToks, I realize nostalgia is not a finite thing: It’s how we process the world, how we cope, and how we find moments of comfort in chaos. The answer to my question may vary depending on whom you ask, but the obsession with the past shouldn’t define the future.