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The Nostalgia Factor

How we can use Nostalgia for Self Development

By Goosey Q.Published 4 years ago 3 min read
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The Nostalgia Factor
Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash

Memories of the past rise as I travel onward. Moments of happy times remind me of how it used to be. Streaming sites update and what's seen is what I used to grow up with. The programs that use to be on the tv boxes that always had me adjust my life to where I would catch it in its time slot. The temporary separation from the world was more than a disconnect but a way of learning. Learning that gave a different perspective then what was presented. I scroll through Netflix to see it all, Xena: the Warrior Princess, Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Pieces of my generation collected together for those to binge-watch.

With respect, these shows did have their mishaps and faculties that question today's society,. At a time where there weren't many regulations and the freedom to try new things while growing with everyone, these shows didn't have to cater to the masses. The focus was more towards the goal of how the impacts on the audience and having the writer get their idea out there. 

By Fredy Jacob on Unsplash

Compared to today where the rules are more strict and "copyright" is more intense than before the variety of content along with the reboots can show unrelenting nostalgia for what was deemed "easier times". Tapping into what helped get people through the times while teaching them ideals and concepts like friends and what it means to be a hero, nostalgia is a strong element in our media and how the world grows. Content that uses this feature helps create relatability and brings in audiences where those connections are made. 

It's safe to say that these shows had a female dominating lead that made a big influence on the millennial generation. Ideas like self-respect, strength, and empowerment were focused on. Seeing all these characters battle their way through demons vampires and all sorts of evil incarnations gave hope and faith that pushing through the tough times and believing that you will come out so much better than your current situations translated well into self-development and dignity.

By Randy Jacob on Unsplash

According to the google translation, Nostalgia is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. Moments in our history that garnish happiness. Nostalgia is an emotional response that comes our past happy times but what if there are negative times? Any memorable moment that reminds you of a past event or moment in time that made you feel something worth remembering is nostalgia. These memories help remind us of what we been through and how we feel at that time. 

Let's make things clear, we know that nostalgia helps gives us that feeling of something or somewhere in our past that happened. The nostalgia factor refers to the present ideas and events that governed to trigger moments in our past for us to gravitate towards it. Similar to click bait, the nostalgia factor is a tool to manipulate and trigger the mind in order to buy the product or convince you to watch or experience this adventure that is new when it might not be.

By Mathieu Stern on Unsplash

What is important is that the things that bring us nostalgia help to remind us of the past we came from and the growth we made. If we are stuck in the past it could mean that we are in constant flux in a time where happiness and life were easier. That "nostalgia factor" takes hold and it can overtake you because it is what made you happy. By understanding that nostalgia is a reminder of how we came to be, we can hope to learn that by creating new memories to be nostalgic about, we build a life that we can look back to for guidance and appreciation. Remember that the nostalgia factor not only helps you reminisce about the past, but it can accelerate you towards a brighter future.

psychology
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About the Creator

Goosey Q.

A Portfolio of Written Pieces from Poetry & Reviews, to Positive Affirmations & Mental Health. This page is to Inform, Educate, & Inspire people to take a positive outlook on life while relating to struggles that we have or haven’t faced.

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