Nostalgia

[Guest]

Past is yuck. Don't like thinking about it. Don't long for it.

[CellarDoor]

This thread needs more Tarkovsky :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalghia

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

The russian meaning to "nostalghia" is much more painful, a longing for home.

Oh and the film is a beauty.
_________________
I'll be your plastic toy.

[Silver]

What Junodog said is the best thing that can be said on the subject in my movie. Personally, I view nostalgia as more harmful than something painful. I think nostalgia can be very corrupting to a lot of people's world views. Personally, when I get nostalgic over something, I don't feel so much a longing to be back in that time, rather just a satisfaction at having had that experience, if that makes any sense. Like, thinking back to the first time I listened to an album that I love, I don't rue the fact I'll never have that experience again. But, that isn't true for a lot of people and I think that can really harm the way people view the world. Everything from kids with borrowed nostalgia for the 70's that shit talk modern music to people who have absolutely no interesting in making something out of their lives and would rather reminisce. I don't think nostalgia is wholly bad, but it can be awful.

[ButterThumbz]

[Polythene Pam]

[ButterThumbz]

[Kiki]

Crazy Bones

[benpaco]

To me it's all that keeps a few of my friendships alive. I remember a happier time and I can put myself there with the friend. This is especially true of my ex(-ish ... it's a long story I'd be glad to share but that you'd probably not be glad to read). I just feel somewhere in my stomach a feeling of happiness even in terribly dull moments because I can feel when I was happy WITH that person. Whoever it may be.
_________________

. . . 2016 . . . 2015 . . .

"While I'm alive, I'll make tiny changes to Earth" - Frightened Rabbit

[19loveless91]

I think reminiscing is the process of remembering old events, whereas nostalgia is a more abstract term that describes the feelings that come along. More accurately, nostalgia arises with memories (also the very vague memories that are triggered by minor things like scent or music) that are positive, and that you know will probably not happen again. It can be painful that way, however I also think it's not just painful. Basically I don't think nostalgia has connotations of dwelling. Rather, I think dwelling is just one way of "dealing" with nostalgia, that (IMO) happens when your life isn't sorted out. Same with regret. I don't see why you wouldn't, if you're in the healthy state of mind and happy about your life, look at these positive memories just as that - positive memories. Yes, there's still this "itching feeling" that something is lost forever, but there's no reason to hold on to these memories. Rather you look back on them with fondness. Meccalecca had a good example of that. For me this happens with music of my childhood.

to sum up my opinion: while nostalgia describes a certain bitersweet feeling that arises from a memory of a better, easier time, it can be still also a positive, not just a negative feeling. Which one it is, depends on a person that you are in the present.

BTW I had about 8 (or even more) paragraphs written on this, including a lengthy part with me spilling my guts out about my life so far and why nostalgia over particular memories of my past is also a bitch for me, but I pressed something by accident I guess and the whole thing deleted itself. Fuck me and fuck this.