Overcoming the Missed Years: Embracing Nostalgia and Moving Forward
It's natural to feel a sense of missing out as we navigate life's different stages, from our prime years to later years. Even in the 60s, people experience this feeling, especially when relocating during challenging times like the pandemic. There's a whole industry designed to make us feel like we are missing out, with advertising often separating us from our money to fit in. But it's crucial to resist such pressures and focus on what truly matters to us.
The Misconception of Missing Out
While it may seem that everyone has endless opportunities and luxuries, the reality is that very few have the time and money to do whatever they want. A friend who visited a wealthy couple with her daughter discovered that, outside of scheduled activities, the couple was often bored and unhappy. Their rich life wasn't about spending money but about spending time doing what they valued and saving elsewhere.
Something particularly valuable is engaging with others about the big questions in life. Through conversations, we can find meaning and purpose, and perhaps even derive joy from simple pleasures, like trying new activities or revisiting old ones.
Disrupting the Missed Years Rut
There are many things you can do to disrupt what might feel like a rut of missing out. Go to a music festival, travel the world, take time off, dance till 3 AM, join meetup groups, explore national parks, or even try snowboarding or skiing, all of which offer opportunities for adventure and enjoyment. Don't worry about long-term consequences; these experiences are worth having while you are still young and able to enjoy them.
When you were 30, your years were likely very different from when you were 20, and much of your 30s was likely spent navigating relationships and family. By the time you reach retirement age, you might not have the time or energy for such adventures anyway. So, why wait? Enjoy the things now that you can with the energy and resources you have at your disposal.
The Joy of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is not just about missing the past, but also about finding joy in reflecting on the past. The feeling of nostalgie can bring such joy that some of us revisit the past by listening to older songs or sharing memories with friends. Embrace these moments and cherish them.
It's important to understand that you can never truly go home again. What we once knew as 'home' has evolved with technology, especially with modern recording devices capturing the good old days. Despite not being able to relive the exact moments of the past, we can still relive them through family movies, old games, and social media. These tools allow us to stay connected with friends and family, no matter the distance or how old we get.
The Promise of Tomorrow
John C.'s lyrics give us a glimpse into this philosophy: 'The Good Old Days, / and Gone and Dead, / Better days are up ahead.' Nostalgia can provide a comforting anchor to the best days of our lives, but we should also look forward to tomorrow. Embrace the freedom and opportunities of adulthood, even if it means giving up some of the freedom of our formative years.
As we age, our pace of life might slow down, but we have the freedom to be patient and wait for the best times in our lives to truly begin. So, go out and enjoy the moments you have now, and let nostalgia be a bridge to the joy and contentment of tomorrow.