To Those Of Us With Nostalgic Hearts,
It is a gift and a curse to have been blessed with a recounting nature, seeing memories and feeling the past surround you as you embark on everyday task. Dictionary.com defines nostalgia as follows: "a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time." While this definition certainly encompasses the feeling of nostalgia, it does not capture the weight of memories, whether happy or otherwise, encompassed in the heart of one who lives in this manner.
Nostalgia is often regarded as a negative aspect, as a force that makes the past seem more grandeur and appealing than the experience actually was. Contrary to this belief, nostalgia acts instead as a guiding force and connection for those of us with it in our hearts; it is comforting and reassuring to recall a memory from a song, TV show or even a knick-knack laying around the house. These memories are what bring a smile to our face, and by finding joys in these memories, we often seek out and try to make more memories as potent and joy-filling as the ones we hold in our memory banks.
For those of us who feel these memories so deeply, they mean a lot to us. Little trinkets become something to smile at, rooms are alive with the feeling of happiness past, and places are more than just spots on a map. Often times, this leads to a random collection of things, boxes of movie stubs, concert tickets, pictures and special tokens. Some may think this random collection of things is superfluous; even bordering on hoarding. But to the nostalgic heart, this things are reminders of the memories we hold so dear in our minds. They remind us of the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.
Events like moving or cleaning out your room becomes a journey down memory lane, pausing at each and every object that reminds you of a different time and place, recounting the memory with a slight smile on your face. Leaving a place you called 'home' or walking away from a house that held your happiest childhood memories is almost painful; never again will your laughter float down those hallways.
Though nostalgia can make one sad, feeling so deeply is not a terrible thing. Society has taught us to suppress our emotions and keep moving forward, yet, there is more to life than looking towards what is up ahead. Your life is molded by your past, it's okay to take a loving glance back at your happy memories and allow them to embrace you like old friends.
Love,
A Fellow Memory Junkie
