Nostalgia is such a bittersweet feeling. Like aww, I remember that!– paired with, wow, I may never feel that again. As a kid, we couldn’t wait to grow up, and as an adult, we wish we could go back; if only to appreciate it more.
It’s funny how thinking about childhood can hit you in a way you don’t expect. Everything felt much more whole back then- untouched by anything real or heavy. Life felt simpler, probably because we didn’t understand how complex it really was.
Little things like a jingle, the smell of a certain snack, or an old TV show could fill us with infinite happiness. Looking back now, those memories feel different. They warm you up for a second and then leave this strange emptiness behind, like getting gut punched right after a hug. Nostalgia has that quiet cruelty to it, reminding us of what once made us feel infinite but only by showing how far away we’ve drifted from it.
Fun fact: I watch My Little Pony every night before bed. Before that, it was Bratz, and before that, Monster High. The Tinker Bell movies are in a constant rotation. And honestly, I know I’m not the only one who’s a little addicted to watching cartoons. Not only is it nostalgic, but it’s comforting; the way those familiar voices and colorful worlds make everything feel a little softer, a little safer.
As adults, we spend so much of our time dealing with responsibilities, uncertainty, and noise that it’s easy to crave the simplicity and warmth of something that once made us feel completely at ease; when happiness came easier and the world felt smaller, kinder, and a lot more magical. Re-watching these childhood shows and movies feels like wrapping yourself in a memory that still knows how to love you back.
There’s a lot of things that transport us to simpler times. Halloween for example, has also always had this special kind of magic to it that somehow followed us into adulthood. When we were kids, it was all about the sugar rush, the costumes that made us feel invincible, and the thrill of being out after dark with our friends.
Now, we still dress up, still chase that spark, but it’s more about letting ourselves play again. It’s an excuse to be creative, to laugh too much, to forget about real life for a night or two. Halloweekend has this energy that feels both familiar and freeing, like tapping into a part of ourselves we don’t always get to show. It’s more than parties and costumes; it’s keeping that sense of wonder alive. And in those moments, we remember what it’s like to just have fun without overthinking it.
There are so many little things we can do as adults to keep that connection to our inner child alive, to make nostalgia feel sweet instead of salty. From rewatching the shows that once glued us to the TV, to listening to songs that unlock memories we’d long forgotten about. Sometimes it’s painting, building Lego sets, going to the arcade, or buying that silly toy you always wanted but never got.
The goal isn’t to escape adulthood, it’s to soften it; to find comfort in the things that once grounded us. When we let ourselves play, laugh, and create without judgment, we remind ourselves that the kid we used to be is still here, waiting for us to slow down and let them breathe again. That younger version of ourselves realizes they weren’t left behind, but waiting for us to come home to them.
Nostalgia isn’t meant to be this gut-wrenching, heart shattering, reminiscence of the past. If we learn to carry its warmth into the present, to make room for joy, magic, and play amidst all of life’s chaos- we redefine it’s meaning. It then becomes about letting those memories inspire the way we live now; recreating moments, remembering feelings, and returning to the things we loved as kids. The good times don’t have to stay behind us; we just have to find ways to bring them forward in ways that honor the adult we’ve become, while still nurturing the child within.
