Bored Panda got in touch with the people who run the "Nostalgia From Your Childhood" account to get their insights into nostalgia and what draws people to it. First, we wanted to know what prompted the creation of the group. "I wouldn't consider myself someone who is necessarily "stuck in the past", but I love all things nostalgia. Looking at old photos from my childhood, being reminded of all cartoons I used to watch, or snacks I used to eat after school."
"I figured it would be fun to create a nostalgia-themed Twitter account to reminisce and connect with others who grew up experiencing similar things. Additionally, it allows me to almost create a place where I can preserve collective memories and create a virtual haven where people can come together and spark conversations about their cherished memories as a child."
We also wanted to hear their insights into why the content was so popular. "Nostalgia content is popular because it's like a time machine that takes you back to cherished memories and simpler times. It's relatable, and comforting, and sparks a sense of belonging as you connect with others who shared similar experiences."
"I think nostalgia also has a powerful emotional impact on people. Whether you're looking at old childhood TV shows, classic games, or throwback foods, it often evokes positive feelings such as happiness, comfort, and joy as you reminisce about pleasant memories from the past. In a world filled with constant information overload and stress, nostalgia simply offers a retreat to simpler, happier times. There's also nothing like the feeling of seeing a photo or video of something from your childhood that you haven't thought of in over 15 years."
The origins of the word “nostalgia” are surprisingly violent. Likely coined in the 17th century by Johannes Hofer, it was used to describe the “Swiss Illness” which referred to the homesickness felt by Swiss mercenaries traveling and fighting around Europe. Reportedly, not being around Alpine pastures and mountains caused the soldiers to develop fevers, faint, and even just drop dead.
While this explanation is not exactly verifiable, as most of us aren’t falling dead weeks after going off to college, scientists at the time did try to figure out what was causing this emotion. They searched, improbably, for a bone responsible for nostalgia, and, for example, US Civil War soldiers could be diagnosed with it after spending time away from home.
In some ways, the popularity of nostalgia can, unfortunately, be seen as a result of increasingly uncertain times. Some studies suggest that the more people report feeling uncertain about things or having disruptions in their lives, the more nostalgic they feel about the past. It’s no surprise that in many cases, this sort of content gets ideas of “yearning for a simpler time” attached to it.
This mechanism isn’t random, our brains do try to soothe and self-comfort when we feel under duress. While nostalgia by itself is triggered by generally negative feelings, it does have the ability to improve our mood. Among other effects, it reminds us that at a time, at least from our current point of view, times were better. Ever the optimists, as humans this makes us feel like times could get better again.
