NOUN
A wistful desire to return in
thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland,
or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a
former place or time; yearning for the return of past circumstances, events, etc.
A negative
connotation is linked to the definition, however, after reading Chuck
Klosterman’s “Nostalgia
on Repeat” I reflected on my views.
Klosterman claims, by transporting ourselves in to an earlier draft, it is up to the individual to find meaning to our repeated actions and miss the way things used to be. I agree.
I find myself always lost in music, running through
phases of a few favorite songs. For me it’s natural to listen to one song
repeatedly. I dive into the lyrics. I pick apart their meaning. I fall in love.
But before long, I move on to find another intriguing song begging for my ears
to listen.
Someday, though, my playlist—fill of songs I love, I hate, I admire, I despise—I reverse the clock for a moment, no matter the evoked emotion. A memory flashes behind my eyes and for a span of three, four, five minutes I wish I could return to the time. Weather I tell myself to live for the moment, learn, live, forget, songs are tied to moments I wish I could change.
One song that comes to mind is “Feels like Tonight”
written and performed by Daughtry. I knew of this song at a young age. The
carefreeness of it all overwhelms me. Yet instead of bring back time to when I
first knew the song, I am reminded by the lyrics. I remember times where I
could’ve not ruined a moment, an event, a friendship. I remember the days I
could’ve made a difference, yet just let the moment slip through my fingers.
Now if my nostalgia is positive or negative, I can’t
decide. But I see it more as a balancing point for me. For me, I am able to
find equilibrium of my idealistic values.
If it’s obtainable, I highly doubt the perfect me—inside my
head at least—to ever make an appearance. If it’s unobtainable, at least this nostalgic
person is worth striving for.
