beautiful piece. brimming with good emotions. it's fascinating how we get to be more grateful as we age, even if we have not figured out what will be THE thing for us.
I find myself nostalgic for people more than specific events or activities. Family and friends now deceased. Although it's bittersweet to think about them, they helped make me who I am today, and are a reminder of who I want to be going forward.
Hi Jonathan! Long time reader (and friend), first time commenter on here :)
Yeah, Nostalgia is a funny one. I was visiting my family recently and I stumbled across a stack of photos from college. I got very nostalgic. And had to remind myself that there were tons of time during those "good ole days" when I was stressed and anxious and overwhelmed and had other problems too.
I also remind myself that I know what I know now, but I didn't know lots of those things then! So I did the best I could then, just like I'm doing the best I can now.
Doing highly questionable things for sure! And thankful we didn’t have cameras in our pockets and devices that told our parents where we were at all times. 😬 I really like the prompt on how to recreate the feeling today. Super helpful.
Such a meaningful post, Jonathan. I have time and time again rediscovered the feeling that nostalgia brings. When I am feeling low, I know I can turn to music or shows/movies I grew up with and I can return to feeling a bit more like myself. I have immense gratitude for technology that enables easy access to those precious points of joy and engagement that still seem to grip me, but as you said “differently”
You are so right on here and I so need these reminders in my life right now. Pretty sure I'm in the midst of a mid-life crisis in which I'm trying to. Go back. Learning / remembering quickly it's not possible. BUT WAIT, does that mean I've destroyed any chance of getting back to where I JUST was too? My best periods have been when I wake up every day relishing exactly what I have, and just that. But I haven't been able to get 'back there' since covid, and not so much covid as what we became around that time period, so difficult to find hope these days. Much of what you write reminds me of this Baz Luhrman release from when I finished school...have you been rewinding it as well? "Everyone's Free to Wear Sunscreen", look it up on YouTube, the song version. A friend who had never heard this before recently told me "that should have gotten a grammy", reminding me that I really do still know what's good and of what I need to keep forefront. (like you, J!). Just have to find a way to trust that.
Love this - "My best periods have been when I wake up every day relishing exactly what I have, and just that." So often it comes down to gratitude, but thats not always the easier thing for us to access at any given moment in our lives, or the broader culture.
Thanks for this. It gave me a lot of support and a gentle door opening feel around nostalgia which is new and welcome for me. I find the topic difficult. So many choices and uncertainty on decisions I made and paths I have chosen. Doubts about which ones were "right". Your post has given me an new frame to consider. Especially how to link to the present. Thank u as always.
beautiful piece. brimming with good emotions. it's fascinating how we get to be more grateful as we age, even if we have not figured out what will be THE thing for us.
I find myself nostalgic for people more than specific events or activities. Family and friends now deceased. Although it's bittersweet to think about them, they helped make me who I am today, and are a reminder of who I want to be going forward.
Totally get that, Chris. End of the day, so much of what makes life good is the people we travel with, and the things we do with them.
Relationships are my #1 resilience strategy.
Hi Jonathan! Long time reader (and friend), first time commenter on here :)
Yeah, Nostalgia is a funny one. I was visiting my family recently and I stumbled across a stack of photos from college. I got very nostalgic. And had to remind myself that there were tons of time during those "good ole days" when I was stressed and anxious and overwhelmed and had other problems too.
I also remind myself that I know what I know now, but I didn't know lots of those things then! So I did the best I could then, just like I'm doing the best I can now.
Cheers man!
Oh wow, so nice to see you hear, Steve! Been a minute. Such a great reminder that at any given moment, all we can be is the best we can be.
Doing highly questionable things for sure! And thankful we didn’t have cameras in our pockets and devices that told our parents where we were at all times. 😬 I really like the prompt on how to recreate the feeling today. Super helpful.
I can't even believe I survived some of the things we did as kids, Stephanie. Glad you found the prompts and reframes helpful.
Such a meaningful post, Jonathan. I have time and time again rediscovered the feeling that nostalgia brings. When I am feeling low, I know I can turn to music or shows/movies I grew up with and I can return to feeling a bit more like myself. I have immense gratitude for technology that enables easy access to those precious points of joy and engagement that still seem to grip me, but as you said “differently”
So glad it resonated. Love your reflection on how music or shows can help us time travel, too.
You are so right on here and I so need these reminders in my life right now. Pretty sure I'm in the midst of a mid-life crisis in which I'm trying to. Go back. Learning / remembering quickly it's not possible. BUT WAIT, does that mean I've destroyed any chance of getting back to where I JUST was too? My best periods have been when I wake up every day relishing exactly what I have, and just that. But I haven't been able to get 'back there' since covid, and not so much covid as what we became around that time period, so difficult to find hope these days. Much of what you write reminds me of this Baz Luhrman release from when I finished school...have you been rewinding it as well? "Everyone's Free to Wear Sunscreen", look it up on YouTube, the song version. A friend who had never heard this before recently told me "that should have gotten a grammy", reminding me that I really do still know what's good and of what I need to keep forefront. (like you, J!). Just have to find a way to trust that.
Love this - "My best periods have been when I wake up every day relishing exactly what I have, and just that." So often it comes down to gratitude, but thats not always the easier thing for us to access at any given moment in our lives, or the broader culture.
A beautiful read. Liberating. Thank you.
"Liberating" - one of my fave words!
Needed this right now. Lovely. Thanks
So glad it landed at the right time, Sue.
Wow! I had the identical car! My first and I loved it and getting nostalgic!
OMG that car, Rita. So many adventures, most of which were very very sketch!
Beautiful and touching, as usual. Many thanks.
So glad it resonated, Chris.
Thanks for this. It gave me a lot of support and a gentle door opening feel around nostalgia which is new and welcome for me. I find the topic difficult. So many choices and uncertainty on decisions I made and paths I have chosen. Doubts about which ones were "right". Your post has given me an new frame to consider. Especially how to link to the present. Thank u as always.
Love your language here, Scott - "gentle door opening feel." I feel like we need more invitations than edicts these days.