How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Positive Nostalgia

Techniques > Happiness > Positive Nostalgia

Description

Look back not in anger or regret but with appreciation and a positive nostalgia. See the past with rose-tinted spectacles.
Remember what has gone by with a pleasant glow.

Discussion

Some people look back with deep regrets. Some look back with anger or frustration at what has happened to them. The sadness and troubles of the past constantly overwhelms the present. Replaying and replaying again the things that have not worked out well for us can be deeply depressing.

On the other hand, if you can downplay the things that have not worked out for you, or even see them as positive lessons that helped you get things right in your life, then you can stop past problems infecting the present with repeating painful feelings.

And if you can take the good things and amplify them, seeing them in a glowing light, then past positives can infect the present with their joy. Making small good things seem bigger, longer, brighter and more important can help to block out the negative things, creating a past that seems even better than it was.

Positive Nostalgia

Description

Discussion

See also