Do You Have To Let It Linger?
Start writing a post
Student Life

Do You Have To Let It Linger?

Sometimes you should. But not always.

86
Do You Have To Let It Linger?
tunefind

“What’s the last song you listened to?” my supervisor Ryan shouted at me from the entrance of his living room before retreating, with batter-dipped spatula in hand, back into his kitchen. From my customary corner seat on the couch I called back, “Umm ‘Linger’ by The Cranberries.” I was confused by his question as I had just been talking to him about my current difficulty dealing with writer’s block. Ryan shot back at me from the kitchen, “why did you listen to that song?” I thought for a few seconds as I wafted the smell of pancakes from the air. We were just about to have staff meeting and Ryan traditionally makes a treat for my peers to enjoy. “Because I wanted to listen to some throwback songs,” I responded after a moment of contemplation. Again from the kitchen, Ryan hollered another question in rapid fire mode, “why did you want to listen to throw back songs?” Great question Ryan. “Well,” I said, “because I was feeling nostalgic.” Ryan grilled me further by asking the importance of being nostalgic. With forced solemnity I blurted out, “because we must remember our pasts to be our best selves moving forward.” Ryan appeared in the doorway again grinning wildly, “that’s bullshit,” he chuckled.

Ryan was right it was total bullshit. However, I finally understood that he was doing more than just keeping up to date with my music preferences (although as a music person, Ryan often does talk to me about music so that was not altogether out of the question). In a matter of minutes, he had effortlessly provided me with another topic to turn over in my mind. Nostalgia. I can’t help but think that I’m feeling rather nostalgic right now because I’m incredibly stressed out. There are less than two weeks left to this term and I have zero motivation to complete this final push and yet there is so much left to be done. My inner perfectionist is in battle with my outer worn but not quite burnt out self. And thus the music of a simpler time calls my name–the anthems of my childhood, a time when I was not so stressed out all the time.

It occurred to me that nostalgia can work in two ways. In a positive sense, nostalgia can empower one to think fondly about the past and although we may miss these easier times, we can draw on the good from those memories. We bring them into our present experiences, give them new meaning, and make ourselves happier along the way. In a negative sense, we can choose to dwell on the loss of these happier times. Sometimes, in doses, this is ok. But I don’t think harnessing the past in this way is productive. We get stuck if we allow nostalgia to dictate our current experiences to the point that we are trying to recreate the past by hiding in it.

Now you might be wondering how this relates to my recent music choices–it seems awfully extreme to pose all these philosophical and existential questions every time you listen to your favorite jams from the 90’s. You would be absolutely correct because that would be crazy and life would just be miserable. I do, however, propose that at least for right now you think about it in a larger sense. I have certainly had my fair share in recent weeks of harping on events from last year and pining over things that no longer serve me. We all do this from time to time. My point is to reframe your perspective on these memories. Instead of using The Cranberries to escape the responsibilities in front of you, use it to remind you in the midst of all this obligation of (at least in my case) your carefree child-self. Life is often not as serious as we make it out to be.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

87191
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

53352
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments