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NOSTALGIA: MY FRIEND & MY ENEMY

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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UC Berkeley chapter.

I’ve coined myself one of the world’s most nostalgic people. I’d say I’m overwhelmed by nostalgia daily. The smallest things, personal memories or beloved television shows from my childhood, trigger a deep, longing nostalgia. While hard to accurately describe, nostalgia feels, to me, like a persistent heaviness on my chest, inflicting joy and heartache simultaneously. 

After a weekend back home, nostalgia seemed like the most appropriate topic to discuss, mainly because I wanted to dissect my own thoughts. With its walls covered in high school photos, boxes of birthday cards, and shelves of awards and medals from years of competitive cheerleading, my bedroom reminds me of all the versions of me. I’m surrounded by reminders of significant people, places, and things that have made me me. 

Laura Claypool-Postcards Dorm Wall Decor Photos Polaroids
Laura Claypool / Her Campus

Even if I may not talk to some of the faces on my bulletin board, or have forgotten why I initially kept certain mementos in my keepsake box, I have an instinct to feel some sort of deep sentiment toward these memories. Each photo, note, relic, or scrap of paper holds immense value, no matter the context. The nostalgia that consumes me has taught me that gratitude and grief aren’t mutually exclusive. 

Sometimes, this nostalgia can be devastating and weighty, causing a unique type of emotional anguish that differs from traditional anxiety, sadness, or heartbreak. I don’t cry. I don’t break down. I don’t get angry. Instead, I long. I overanalyze. I think of what used to be. I imagine what could’ve been. I determine things work out for the better. I sit with discomfort. I let myself feel the dull pain that I’ve rationalized. 

What comes from this quiet aching nostalgia is a recognition of the beauty to feel. While this nostalgia can carry pain, there’s always an underlying layer that’s bittersweet. I’m lucky I can look back on my past with gratitude for all that came before the present. The heaviness occurs because these memories — the places, relationships, and tokens that scatter my bedroom walls — matter to me. 

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Parker Pugh

UC Berkeley '26

Parker Pugh is a junior at UC Berkeley studying Media Studies and Sociology. At Her Campus, Parker is a member of the Staff Writing team and the Design team. She enjoys writing about girlhood, including the everyday experiences that young women face. As a Media Studies major, Parker is eager to advance her skills in media communications and outreach. Parker hopes to work in public relations or personnel in the entertainment industry. She is passionate about expanding and uplifting the voices of women in media. In her free time, Parker enjoys cheerleading, reading, journaling, and spending quality time with loved ones. Parker's two biggest inspirations are her oldest sisters who have inspired her love and appreciation for female friendships.