But For Real Episode 6: The Fascinating Mindf*ck that is Nostalgia

Podcast
Written By Colleen Werner

Ah, nostalgia…

What is it about this slippery little beastie that can simultaneously turn on all the good feels of reminiscing on the good ole’ days, while also making you compare your current self to your past self in a way that makes you want to crawl into a hole and never come out? 

We are diving deep into the good, bad, and ugly of nostalgia in this episode— and a lot more!

In this episode of But For Real, we’re gabbing about:

Post-Election Reflections

Well, the election happened. Period. Em & Val share a bit more about how they are processing this outcome and the ways that they’re finding hope through it all.

Tea & Crumpets

This week, Em can’t stop talking about hygge, a Danish principle of taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about, or even by yourself, to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures. She’s been embracing it through cultivating intentional moments of mindfulness throughout the day, as well as working on her relationship with aloneness through evening rituals with cozy with lights, coloring, knitting.

Val’s obsession this week is San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The architecture, art, and restaurants are all *chef’s kiss* – and Val’s friend’s wedding was pretty incredible, too.

Step Into My Office

With cold weather upon us and the STRUGGLE that daylight savings time is, it’s no surprise that many people are struggling with seasonal mood changes. Val and Emerson share tips like light therapy, zhuzhing up your post-work routine, and creating daily “protocols” to support your mood and self-care.

The DSM - The Psychology of Nostalgia

Nostalgia is defined as a sentimental longing for the past, centered around the self, important social connections and personally meaningful life events (Routledge et al., 2015).

And research from the National Library of Medicine shows that nostalgia can be a powerful psychological resource that can help us regulate our emotions, especially in really difficult times. This was especially apparent at the height of the COVID pandemic – the new Animal Crossing release, drive-in movies, rewatching old fave shows like Gilmore Girls…you get the picture. 

While nostalgia can largely be helpful, it can also be a double- edged sword because focusing solely on the past instead of the present and future can be a hindrance to growth in our ever changing times. Dipping into the nostalgia pool is great, you just need boundaries if you are prone to limitless rumination, avoidance, or escapism.

Now That’s What I Call…Ooookay

Emerson’s pick for the week is Potential Break Up Song by Aly & AJ. The original version was released in 2007, but an updated, explicit version was released at the end of 2020 and it’s exactly the nostalgia and vibes current day Emerson needs.

Val’s pick for the week is At Your Funeral by Saves the Day – it was released in 2001 and gives all the emo punk energy. It’s on their album “Stay What You Are” which is one of Val’s biggest nostalgia albums.

Wait…What?

This week, Emerson educated Val on Snapchat – from the history of the app, to how she used it in high school/college and how she uses it now. While the app can be used for, in Emerson’s words, “shiesty shit”, it can also be a fun way to keep up with friends throughout the day.

Val and Emerson also touch on Bluesky, an app that is becoming wildly popular after a mass exodus from X, for various reasons.

Fire Dumpster Phoenix

Despite the less than ideal state of our world currently, there are still hopeful, positive things happening!

Val’s find for this week is that congressman Andy Kim won his race for a US Senate seat for NJ last week!

Raised by Korean immigrants in New Jersey, he’s made history, becoming the first Korean-American to be elected to the US Senate. Before becoming a US congressman, this Rhodes Scholar was a diplomat, serving as the Iraq director for the National Security Council under Obama, and in a similar role previously with the Pentagon.

He received national attention when a fellow congressman discovered him picking up trash alone in the Capitol Building at 1am on the night of the insurrection, in a photo that’s now become iconic. Go Andy!

Emerson’s find for this week is a California mom sharing her live reaction to passing the bar exam on the first try!

The video posted to TikTok has gone viral and the reaction of her children who accompanied her in the video is so heartfelt and pure. Rhiannah Gordon states that she hopes mothers and single parents that doing the hard things pay off and to encourage diverse students to pursue a legal career.

If you want to learn more about any (or all) of these topics, click the podcast player at the top of this post or the YouTube video down below to listen to the full episode and dive in with us.

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DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.

Colleen Werner
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But For Real Episode 5: Dating & Attachment Styles in the App Era