Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life

Discover research and practices for mindfully using nostalgia to live a more intentional, connected, and meaningful life.

When an old song makes you want to dance like you did in high school, or you long for the comforting taste of your mom's cooking, that's more than just memory-it's nostalgia. And according to the latest research, that special feeling is more important and valuable than most of us realize-not just for relating to our past, but for allowing us to move into an uncertain future with hope and confidence.

In Past Forward, psychologist Clay Routledge presents a fascinating investigation into an emotion we all experience yet often misunderstand. As more than fifteen years of research reveals, nostalgia is more than rose-tinted sentiment or "living in the past"-it can also be a powerful resource for our well-being. Dr. Routledge uses the latest findings to illuminate the many ways that nostalgia can impact our lives, especially when we approach it with awareness and discernment. He offers a treasury of practices for harnessing nostalgia to boost your motivation; counteract loneliness; deepen healthy social connections; spark creativity; overcome stress, anxiety, and trauma; reveal your most enduring values; and much more.

"In its healthiest form, nostalgia is the way we weave the past into a meaningful life story," Dr. Routledge says. "It helps us see what makes life worth living-and inspires us to do great things."