We have all experienced nostalgia. Perhaps it is when we look at photos from high school, run into an old college buddy, or hear a song on the radio from when we were dating. At those times, we are “taken back.”
At the same time, recollections can be just as powerful when they are negative – a childhood where we could never please our parent, abusive experiences from a past relationship, or friends who betrayed us.
Some might say, that even when it evokes positive feelings, individuals who look back are longing for a different time or place, or person. But is that necessarily true? Is nostalgia always about wishing you were there instead of here?
A recent study reported in Psychology Today found a host of benefits for those who take time to examine the past and remember pleasant experiences and relationships. Some of the advantages listed include: improved feelings of connection to people in the present, increased energy and vitality, boosted self-esteem, greater optimism, higher levels of inspiration and motivation, a sharper creative edge, and greater confidence in one’s social ability.
There are even stronger benefits when we are able to look back with our mate. Examining the positives in our relationships history can strengthen our present ties as well as help us to realize, when faced with difficulties, that we can get through it.
Do you want to move forward boldly into the future? Perhaps examining the past can help you to do that. Remembering is important. Whether it is anniversaries and significant dates on the calendar, or it is past experiences – just maybe it is a part of what can propel us forward in our life and our most significant relationships!