The Warm Embrace of Nostalgia: Finding Comfort in Memories

As infants, we do not have a lot to think about, which is why the smile and the eyes are so vivacious and alive.

Picture yourself as a voyager moving through life, a backpack securely on your shoulders. The path ahead is your future, and the bag you carry represents your past. It’s filled with rocks of various shapes and sizes, each one a memory or experience you’ve gathered along the way. As you journey forward, a few rocks in your backpack are manageable. However, if you burden yourself with too many, the weight will become unbearable, hindering your progress. Eventually, it may become too much, and you’ll find it hard to keep moving ahead.

Just like our minds, when we hold onto too much, our thinking can get cluttered, and it becomes extremely difficult to have a new and different thought process. Art is in letting go. Let yourself be free, and happy.

Sundar Nursery, Delhi ( it was surreal )

I can recall telling my former manager, “You know my head feels cloudy, and I do not know what to do with it,” during a conversation. Is it just me? You aren’t the only one, he replied; it happens to everyone. I wondered why this experience had never occurred before and came to the conclusion that we carry a lot of weight, emotion, memories, and other things in our minds throughout our lives. There are times when we need to allow some memories to leave our thoughts and make space for new ones. It’s incredibly crucial!

It’s true, those chance encounters are quite rare! I personally engage in meditation around four times a month, while hitting the gym is a daily routine for me. By the way, did you ever realize that as we grow older and navigate through life, we often find comfort in revisiting specific memories, as if they serve as our emotional anchor? They’re like little touchstones that help us feel at home in our own journey.

We still have three months left in this year. Why does time seem to pass so slowly and yet so quickly? Anyhow, I’ve been wanting to share some recollections that I keep going back to. After talking to my folks, I believe you may have had a few experiences of your own. Let’s stick to ten of it!

Am I not letting go of my memories, maybe I keep them close to my heart to feel at home most of the times.

1. I attended a dance workshop at Delhi recently, and I asked choreographer — “How do you keep your mind in the moment?” — He said — “ You got the assignment right. The only way to succeed in anything is to give your 100%, and that comes with full attention. If something is on your mind, take a step back and resolve it.” This advice has left a lasting impact on me. Even now, when I’m engaged in a task for an hour, I make it a point to invest my entire effort. I have started trying now.
2. When I reflect on the value of hard work, my mind often drifts back to my school and college days. There’s a part of me that believes social media can be a bit of a double-edged sword in our era. It has a tendency to consume a lot of our time and can lead to a sense of lethargy. I can vividly recall those moments of being fully immersed in my work, undistracted for hours on end. It’s still a bit of a mystery to me how I managed it. I find myself longing for the version of me that was so dedicated and hardworking.
3. Have you been to Rishikesh? If yes, you must have done cliff jumping. It’s amazing how I do remember the moment.I was really scared, but that fear made me completely focused on the present. When I jumped, I saw the bright sun shining on the lush green surroundings, and then there was a big splash as I hit the water. It’s a moment that’s hard to describe just using words. I like to call it my ‘Leap of Faith’ jump because it was filled with excitement and a feeling of hope.
4. I keep thinking about my vacation to Leh Ladakh. It was my first time travelling alone with an unfamiliar bunch. I can still feel how much more nervous I was than I was for this trip. I can still feel the excitement of arriving at the airport and the journey to the hotel with the other travellers and the tour leader. After this vacation, I was able to think creatively and critically. I can recall numerous instances where I was fully present without the need to share the moment with anyone. If I feel low — I just think about this trip. I was smitten by it.
5. Oh my god, Pangong Lake! I’m sure you must have been there by now. When I went there, it was quite peaceful and lovely. It was surrounded on all sides by gorgeous mountains, which later that night, under the light of the moon and numerous stars, shone brilliantly. There are times when something unexpected happens, but it’s the finest. The one and only!!
6. It’s currently 8:30 PM, and I’m wrapping up my homework swiftly to catch my favorite TV show at 9 PM. This used to be the prime hour for television, filled with beloved shows and important news updates. It was also the time when my family would gather for dinner, enjoying our favorite show together, all while making sure the cooler was on to beat the heat. Looking back, life seemed so much simpler then. I struggle to recall the difficulties I might have faced. Perhaps the biggest challenge was consistently aiming to be among the top 10 performing students, a goal I’ve always maintained.
7. If you were the youngest, you always got the “Oh! You’re Y’s little sister/brother!” from faculty. The teacher’s tone would foreshadow how they would treat you for the rest of the school year.
8. At 5:30 PM, the magic of meeting friends unfolded effortlessly. No social media apps were needed. We simply dialed each other's mothers to coordinate our plans, and that was all it took. The heartwarming connection was enough to bring us together. What's even more delightful is that our gatherings always revolved around sports activities. In those days, the absence of social media was a gift. It meant we could savor life without the pressure to put on a show for the world, allowing us to bask in genuine moments of warmth and love.
9. Best friend taking leave from the school without letting me know. This wasn’t acceptable from any friend back then. When I arrived at the prayer area and didn’t see my companions there, I recall being startled and uncomfortably sad. I thought, “Oh god, I have to deal with the day alone.” When I came back home — a call was made to a friend to share about the day, and how much he/she were missed.

My college ❤

10. Taking a stroll down memory lane of my college days is something I. cherish. When I need it, I pay a visit to my college and just soak in the moment. It’s like an anchor for me, keeping me down-to-earth and humble. I follow the same routine — first, a cup of coffee followed by some maggie. Eventually, I switch to having paranthas from the dhaba while watching the sunset. If luck is on my side, I might even bump into some familiar faces along the way.

I learned the value of pictures as they have the ability to capture the moment which is so dear to your heart — that you won’t even realise it in the moment. Whenever I feel down, for instance, and can’t seem to get out of my gloomy mind, I fetch my albums and use pictures to remind me of the good times and of my progress and how there are so many other shades to my experience here. Interestingly it tells me most of the times — life was beautiful even when you thought it wasn’t.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone through my own photo gallery, cherishing every moment my camera managed to capture. It’s like a gentle reminder that life holds beauty in every frame, if only we shift our perspective a little.

Do tell me something which always brings smile on your face in the comments down. Looking to hearing from you. Super ❤