Strive for true happiness by being fully present in the current moment, shutting off the ‘monkey brain’ that urges you to look forward or back, and finding contentment in whatever you are doing right now. This practice, often a tenet of recovery, directly correlates with daily happiness.
When experiencing nostalgia, pay attention to why you are turning to the past and identify what your memories tell you might be missing in your present life. Use this awareness to inform how you can move forward in the future, rather than attempting to go backward, to address underlying needs.
To avoid the problems of overly rosy retrospection, adopt a present focus and learn to be content with what is in front of you. Additionally, actively work to improve your memory of the past, consulting accurate historical accounts to dispel delusions and prevent biased memories from hurting current decisions.
Be honest with yourself about past harmful actions or difficult experiences, as this clear-eyed perspective can help you avoid the pitfalls of overly rosy retrospection and make better present decisions. Reflect on unique past experiences to understand how they might be skewed.
When feeling down, lonely, or isolated, intentionally rewatch old movies, play classic songs, or recall past social times to experience a mood boost and a sense of connection. Utilize nostalgia as a ‘mental vacation’ to make yourself feel better without leaving home.
Re-experience past events to gain a more positive perspective, as our minds naturally apply a ‘redemptive lens’ to remember even difficult times with a positive spin, focusing on good parts and life lessons.