overgeeked
Open-World Sandbox
Those, too. And a lot more besides. You had fun on that one vacation as a kid (if you were lucky enough to get vacations), so as an adult or parent you try to replicate those vacations. Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, the Enchanted Forest, fishing on the river or lake, beach trips, etc. That’s all nostalgia.Is it?
I feel like, outside of entertainment, it fuels almost nothing, other than maybe some toxic political and social movements.
You watched a sports team growing up and remember the time spent with parents, friends, family, etc. So you keep watching the same sports team as you grow up. Go to games, buy merch. Maybe take your own kids to see them play. That’s all nostalgia.
Do you associate particular scents or smells with particular people, good or bad? That’s nostalgia. My dad was a machinist so he always came home smelling like oil and grease. He worked on cars on the weekends, so more oil and grease. He drove demolition derby, so more oil and grease. Every time I smell that, I think of my dad. Pure nostalgia.
Visit friends and family on the holidays? That’s at least partially nostalgia, but also a lot of guilt and dread. Maybe up until COVID hit. Then, if you’re like most people, your family traditions were shattered. Spend any time wishing you could get back to those family traditions during COVID? That’s nostalgia.
Hell, wish things would get back to normal since COVID? That’s nostalgia.
Ever reminisce about things that happened in the past? Think about high school or college fondly? Ever smile when you remember your first kiss, first love, first time having sex, first heartbreak? That’s nostalgia.
Have any great, close friends growing up, in high school, or college? Do you miss them and the good times you had? That’s nostalgia.
A lot of what people do is pure nostalgia.
(At this point I feel a song coming on, to the tune of “That’s Amore.”)