Gen Z Is Feeling Nostalgic. Experts Say It Might Be a Good Thing

Excerpt:

In his decades of research, Routledge has collected tens of thousands of nostalgic memories from people all over the world. Across cultures, continents, religion, political beliefs and life experiences, most nostalgic memories had something in common: “The vast majority of them … are about cherished memories with loved ones.”

Studies have shown that by promoting reflection and appreciation for meaningful relationships, nostalgia can help maintain intimacy and connectedness in relationships.

“It doesn’t just serve as a reminder of connection, it inspires connection,” Routledge said.

In addition to its social consequences, nostalgia fosters a sense of optimism and hope, especially in the face of adversity.

“When you feel sad or lonely or anxious about the future or rejected or just, you know, just down in some way, dissatisfied, your brain naturally starts bringing up old memories that offer a way to help you solve that problem,” Routledge said. “If you are going through a difficult time, there’s all sorts of ways in which you can be like, ‘Well, what kind of memories can I draw from right now?’”

For someone that just moved to a new city, he explained, they could think, “‘Maybe I’m lonely, but look, I’ve had these experiences in the past where I’ve had people that care about me. I could do that again.’” Or, someone who feels intimidated starting a new job can think back to past accomplishments to bolster their self-confidence.

According to one of Routledge’s studies, nearly 60% of Americans believe that nostalgic memories offer guidance when they are not sure what direction to take in life, and most Americans agree that nostalgic memories serve as a source of comfort when life is uncertain or difficult.

Read the full article at Deseret News.

Read the report Historical Nostalgia in Modern America here.