Hello, everyone… I’m 156 years old and I have been listening to post punk / alternative for 87 years, and this song, this song that found me via Mobland, has saved my life. This band is pure, raw talent. Please enjoy it along with this newest post.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Today I need to talk about taking off my rose-colored glasses.
I have to remind myself to steer clear of magical thinking when I go briefly down the rabbit hole of my One Drive memories. This happened to me the other day before I caught myself and stepped away. I asked myself how easy it is to think that things were better in the past. They seemed less complicated than today. I can get lost there like Harry Potter in front of the Mirror of Erised.
Does this happen to you too?
I know nostalgia often casts a warm glow on the past to give us our heart’s deepest desires, but its downside lies in the subtle distortion of the reality it creates, like Plato’s Cave with its shadows.
When we cling to idealized memories, we risk overlooking the complexities and the hardships previously endured. This selective recollection not only diminishes our capacity to engage with the present fully, but also sets an unrealistic benchmark that the present can never meet.
Who wants to be the rabbit chasing the carrot they can never get?
Checking Myself
Sometimes when I go down the rabbit hole, I may start off with remembering the happy moments but then sometimes I get focused on negative chains of events and build the bad actors in the story – my story. Sometimes it’s me and sometimes it’s them. And sometimes that sticks with me for days. I have to force myself to not remember in black and white and what the facts really were.
So, nostalgia doesn’t always romanticize the past; sometimes, it amplifies its difficulties. Instead of longing for “the good old days.” people may find themselves trapped in a cycle of recalling hardships and reinforcing a negative narrative about he past. This can lead to regret, resentment, or even a feeling that personal growth has been stunted – that you just don’t measure up. That’s where my head goes to sometimes anyway.
I try to use it as a tool for reflection, allowing myself to recognize how I have evolved, what I’ve learned, and how I can move forward. The key is balance – acknowledging past struggles without letting them dictate present emotions. I know that. Doesn’t everybody?
With my conscious better self, I think too much nostalgia can hinder personal growth. It encourages a retreat into memory one can get lost in. I have squandered too much time doing that. I lean toward the dreamy idealism. I think instead of losing oneself, we should make a proactive effort to shape a better future – be pragmatic.
Figuring Out What to Do
But, I also think the trek down memory lane has it uses. The past can be comforting, offering warmth and perspective during difficult times if looking through an authentic lens. The key I strive for is to not let it overshadow the present. I find that is not an easy thing to accomplish.
Maybe the way to avoid getting stuck in memories is to recognize that the past wasn’t necessarily better – just different. Magical thinking when looking back, idealizing the past as simpler or easier than it really was is just not true.
I’m thinking a helpful approach is to use it as inspiration – reflecting, but channeling that energy into creating new meaningful experiences.
Maybe this is a force to appreciate life, spark creativity, or strengthen relationships in the present. So with mindfulness I’m directed to:
- Personal Growth: My past struggles remind me of my resilience and how far I have come. I draw confidence from them that I can face my present challenges.
- Creative Inspiration: I incorporate my past into what I create.
- Strengthening Connections: Re-telling old family stories and reminiscing with friends connects me to shared history.
- Rekindling Joy: Revisiting activities that once brought happiness – whether it’s rereading a favorite book, listening to an old song, or enjoying a pastime from childhood – evokes comfort and happiness.
It’s a real struggle to keep my head out of the clouds and off of non sequitur lane. Sometimes I embrace it and sometimes I don’t. But I try.
I’m interested in other’s paths. Please do comment and share.
I hope you all are having a great day…
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Our Humble Road 