I recently realized that I am an extremely nostalgic person. Everyday I check my phone to see what happened a year ago today, two years ago today and so forth.
Sometimes I wonder if nostalgia means that I live in the past more than the present moment. But to me, nostalgia is more than just a longing for the past. It's actually a psychological phenomenon that has been studied extensively - research has shown that nostalgia can actually have positive effects on our well-being. When we experience nostalgia, it can lead to an increase in positive emotions and a decrease in negative ones. Nostalgia can also provide a sense of continuity and coherence in our lives, reminding us of the connections between our past, present, and future selves.
And on a slightly different note: have you read or watched Lessons in Chemistry? In one of the episodes, the protagonists talk about re-reading books. This is the quote:
“Why do you re-read books?"
“It’s slightly different every time […]."
"How?"
"A book stays the same but you don’t.”
So cool, right?
Sorry for the ramble but I just love everything that relates to the topic of nostalgia.
Yes, yes, yes to this! What a beautiful idea. It's funny how revisiting old works would feel more refreshing than 'the latest and greatest' right now, but I feel it. xx
This is one of the many reasons I use Goodwill as a library. So many wonderful "old" books to read for less than $3 with no limit on reading time. Buy. Read. Donate back.
Kayti, so much to relate to your reflection, as I believe those of us who are highly sensitive prefer driving to flying, prefer to discover those off-the-beaten-path haunts and jaunts or indie music, movies, and books. I know I do. I share your sentiment on this. In fact, I stepped away from all social media (if you include Substack as social media, then I guess this is my only social platform I use), because I grew disgusted with the trends. They all felt phony to me, and just...not me. So why would I force myself to conform to them?
I still don't fully understand why some YouTube accounts have millions of followers when they post short videos about thirty seconds long doing...nothing. Maybe showing something silly or banal. But I don't get it. I've asked myself, is this a generational difference? My thirteen-year-old daughter gets the hype. She loves these videos, but they seem pointless to me, unless we really do live in a society that craves distraction to numb their pain.
Thank you for this. Thank you for reminding us that sometimes the buried treasure is worth digging for.
I’ve been eager to step away from social media for the longest time. I have to use it for work, so it always seems impossible. I’m with you on not understanding these trends! Here’s to finding buried treasure.
I feel embarrassed sometimes for talking about books that I've referenced many times before😂 i agree it's so important to not miss out on good stuff from the past. I just have to figure out a balance of not sounding like a broken record vs. reviving wonderful material.
I recall a tweet from someone who overhead two young women at the record store. They loved to wander around and buy albums with cool covers of bands they'd never heard of. Then they go home. Sit down. And just listen to them. It was such human-led discovery instead of algorithmic determination. Made me nostalgic for my old record store days. There's definitely something to be said for mining gold at the edges of your awareness.
"I know I’m generalizing, but I do think there is something to our disregard for the “already published"" - completely agree! I think in our content-heavy world we have access to the knowledge of too many things. Too many new books to read and things to consume. I think of Sylvia Plath 'I can never read all of the books'...
I found yesterday a piece I wrote forever ago, and a part of me kinda reject it because I could feel the sadness in my words, then I changed my mind to actually is beautiful but it would be weird to publish it if I'm not in that space anymore, like giving space for my old me to co-exist with my present wasn't possible. I love the intentionality in your idea; a few years ago, I read about recycling ideas, revisiting and repurposing our work as we do with clothing, and I've been meaning to do that and write about it too. Your idea of "summer nostalgia for creatives" shifts that to a more emotional and special tone and I love it, can't wait to read what comes up here.
For a long time I’ve given effort to peek behind the radio top hits of previous decades. The Spotify algorithm sometimes offers unfamiliar artists when I’ve been listening to a specific decade a lot, and I enjoy buying vinyls which include the less popular songs of an artist. I’m experiencing it even with songs from the 90s and 00s that I lived through but have forgotten about and get lost at the bottom of the pack. I love this idea and can’t wait to see your past work and current reflections!
Perhaps we’re nostalgic for the simpler times before social media. When the world wasn't so intense and there was no internet aside from AOL. When we all listened to a few genres of the same music or had to borrow friends cassettes to find the cool bands. When we used to watch the same shows and everything wasn't so niche and segregated. Nostalgia is safety. It was before the twin towers were blown up and the world became intense. I'm thinking of writing a substack about this. We should exchange links and I'd love to include you in mine.
I’ve actually been revisiting an old story I wrote a long time ago that I’d forgotten about. I don’t know how I missed it because upon rereading it, I’m actually kinda proud of it!
Kayti—this was incredible. As a writer, we work hard to get something out there, officially published for the world to read, but what happens next? We work on the next piece and the next piece hoping to keep the publishing train going. I'm adding a link here to a work of mine that I published with Darling Magazine that I haven't revisited in awhile. Thank you for the push to reread our work. https://blog.darlingsociety.com/where-i-come-from-a-place-where-city-and-slow-living-intersect/
I recently realized that I am an extremely nostalgic person. Everyday I check my phone to see what happened a year ago today, two years ago today and so forth.
Sometimes I wonder if nostalgia means that I live in the past more than the present moment. But to me, nostalgia is more than just a longing for the past. It's actually a psychological phenomenon that has been studied extensively - research has shown that nostalgia can actually have positive effects on our well-being. When we experience nostalgia, it can lead to an increase in positive emotions and a decrease in negative ones. Nostalgia can also provide a sense of continuity and coherence in our lives, reminding us of the connections between our past, present, and future selves.
And on a slightly different note: have you read or watched Lessons in Chemistry? In one of the episodes, the protagonists talk about re-reading books. This is the quote:
“Why do you re-read books?"
“It’s slightly different every time […]."
"How?"
"A book stays the same but you don’t.”
So cool, right?
Sorry for the ramble but I just love everything that relates to the topic of nostalgia.
Love this data! So interesting. Lessons In Chemistry has been on my to-read/watch list for a while now 😅 I’ll have to move it up!
I’m 78 … nostalgia is what I am about these days…
Yes, yes, yes to this! What a beautiful idea. It's funny how revisiting old works would feel more refreshing than 'the latest and greatest' right now, but I feel it. xx
This is one of the many reasons I use Goodwill as a library. So many wonderful "old" books to read for less than $3 with no limit on reading time. Buy. Read. Donate back.
I love Goodwills book section. Love that you call it a library and re-donate them!
Kayti, so much to relate to your reflection, as I believe those of us who are highly sensitive prefer driving to flying, prefer to discover those off-the-beaten-path haunts and jaunts or indie music, movies, and books. I know I do. I share your sentiment on this. In fact, I stepped away from all social media (if you include Substack as social media, then I guess this is my only social platform I use), because I grew disgusted with the trends. They all felt phony to me, and just...not me. So why would I force myself to conform to them?
I still don't fully understand why some YouTube accounts have millions of followers when they post short videos about thirty seconds long doing...nothing. Maybe showing something silly or banal. But I don't get it. I've asked myself, is this a generational difference? My thirteen-year-old daughter gets the hype. She loves these videos, but they seem pointless to me, unless we really do live in a society that craves distraction to numb their pain.
Thank you for this. Thank you for reminding us that sometimes the buried treasure is worth digging for.
I’ve been eager to step away from social media for the longest time. I have to use it for work, so it always seems impossible. I’m with you on not understanding these trends! Here’s to finding buried treasure.
I feel embarrassed sometimes for talking about books that I've referenced many times before😂 i agree it's so important to not miss out on good stuff from the past. I just have to figure out a balance of not sounding like a broken record vs. reviving wonderful material.
Ha, I feel you on this balance 😬
Thanks for the reminder to revisit the things that once brought joy and excitement to us.
I recall a tweet from someone who overhead two young women at the record store. They loved to wander around and buy albums with cool covers of bands they'd never heard of. Then they go home. Sit down. And just listen to them. It was such human-led discovery instead of algorithmic determination. Made me nostalgic for my old record store days. There's definitely something to be said for mining gold at the edges of your awareness.
"I know I’m generalizing, but I do think there is something to our disregard for the “already published"" - completely agree! I think in our content-heavy world we have access to the knowledge of too many things. Too many new books to read and things to consume. I think of Sylvia Plath 'I can never read all of the books'...
Love this idea!
I found yesterday a piece I wrote forever ago, and a part of me kinda reject it because I could feel the sadness in my words, then I changed my mind to actually is beautiful but it would be weird to publish it if I'm not in that space anymore, like giving space for my old me to co-exist with my present wasn't possible. I love the intentionality in your idea; a few years ago, I read about recycling ideas, revisiting and repurposing our work as we do with clothing, and I've been meaning to do that and write about it too. Your idea of "summer nostalgia for creatives" shifts that to a more emotional and special tone and I love it, can't wait to read what comes up here.
“Recycling ideas” is such a great way to put it
For a long time I’ve given effort to peek behind the radio top hits of previous decades. The Spotify algorithm sometimes offers unfamiliar artists when I’ve been listening to a specific decade a lot, and I enjoy buying vinyls which include the less popular songs of an artist. I’m experiencing it even with songs from the 90s and 00s that I lived through but have forgotten about and get lost at the bottom of the pack. I love this idea and can’t wait to see your past work and current reflections!
Love this! Would love to hear any song or album recommendations xo
Yes!! It's my favourite show of the year so far.
Perhaps we’re nostalgic for the simpler times before social media. When the world wasn't so intense and there was no internet aside from AOL. When we all listened to a few genres of the same music or had to borrow friends cassettes to find the cool bands. When we used to watch the same shows and everything wasn't so niche and segregated. Nostalgia is safety. It was before the twin towers were blown up and the world became intense. I'm thinking of writing a substack about this. We should exchange links and I'd love to include you in mine.
I’d love to read this. God I miss the days of AOL.
I’ve actually been revisiting an old story I wrote a long time ago that I’d forgotten about. I don’t know how I missed it because upon rereading it, I’m actually kinda proud of it!
Love this!!
Kayti—this was incredible. As a writer, we work hard to get something out there, officially published for the world to read, but what happens next? We work on the next piece and the next piece hoping to keep the publishing train going. I'm adding a link here to a work of mine that I published with Darling Magazine that I haven't revisited in awhile. Thank you for the push to reread our work. https://blog.darlingsociety.com/where-i-come-from-a-place-where-city-and-slow-living-intersect/
Yes exactly! I can’t wait to read this Natalie (reading your book rn!). Thank you for sharing xx
Feeling ALL the support :)