We all experience nostalgia at some point in our lives - be it at the playground we frequented as children, or watching that Mopiko advertisement which has never changed for a decade. So, what exactly is nostalgia?
The term “Nostalgia” was first coined in 1688 by Swiss physician Johannes Homer, using the Greek roots nostos, which means returning to a native area, and algos, a term for pain or grief. It refers to a state of moral pain caused by the forced separation from family and the social environment.
Today, nostalgia is described as an experience of recalling and yearning for our past. It can be triggered by a variety of things, such as smells, pictures, places, or even a particular tune. It impacts our thoughts and emotions in different ways.
Imagine that you are having a bad day, and are walking home with your bag, filled with seemingly never-ending work to do. You are stressed; you feel lost. You walk past your childhood playground. It is old, and looks exactly like it was when you were a little bubble of energy, screaming and running around. Images of your childhood at the playground flash by - you were happy, unbothered, and just, focused on making full use of your playtime.
For many of us, a memory like this reforms the connection we have with our past, warming up the cold fireplace in our hearts. We are reminded that no matter where we are in life, our precious memories will always stay and keep us company - a beacon of hope that never burns out. This helps to foster a sense of personal continuity, and allows us to better cope and persevere in times of stress or loneliness.
However, our past may just be the devil that pulls us deeper into the dark.
When we recall moments where we were once happy, the present might seem to be painted in only dull colours, causing us to yearn to return to the past, away from all our troubles; to escape from reality. But the past is the past - we cannot go back to it. This may cause us to feel overwhelmed when dealing with our struggles, or even result in extreme sadness that might lead to depression.
All in all, nostalgia, the invisible thread that connects our memories to our hearts, offers comfort and support in hard times and can motivate us to keep going. But it is fragile, and can hurt us when we are already broken.
Thanks for reading :)
Written by: Hannah
Edited by: Keris and Iann
Designed by: Qianhui
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