All in good time: How much tea will you drink with Nostalgia?
- Malachi Lefurgey
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
“If you could have any superpower in the world, what power would you choose?”
I always say time. Being able to stop time at any given moment, go back, relive a memory, never be late to class and always have everything in on time.
The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of nostalgia is “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.”
Where is the line between simply “remembering” a happy time and experiencing a full sense of nostalgia?
I am both pessimistic and optimistic within the realm of nostalgia. In our age bracket, frankly, we are way too young to be nostalgic.
“Nostalgia, you aren't supposed to be here yet,” said Anxiety from Inside Out 2. “You still have ten years, two graduations and a best friend’s wedding before you're invited.”
I couldn't help but wonder, why are we always wanting to go back?
I am an “always keep swimming” type of person. I think if we are all not like this, we get lost in translation within ourselves.
Nostalgia can only come in when she knocks on the door and we kindly let her in; it should be a short visit.
A visit to scroll all the way to the top of our camera rolls and see how young we once were, how naive and hopeful.
It’s remembering how you used to smile in pictures and how you used to style your hair.
Perhaps it’s seeing pictures of you hanging out with people who don't even send you a “Happy Birthday” text now.
But once the tea gets cold and the cookies have run out, Nostalgia must go back home.
We hug her goodbye, saying, “This was so nice, can't wait for us to get together again.” She replies, “Not for a while, my dear.”
The door closes and you are left in the moment, ready to move forward.
When we start to believe the time behind us is better than the ticking clock in front of us, we will never be able to have tea with Nostalgia again because she never truly left.
“How sweet it is to live a life worth remembering,” a quote I once heard.
When you find yourself in a moment in which you don’t want to leave, our brains are quick to panic and think that “this moment is already fleeting.”
To me, my brain and I are two different entities, both agreeing and disagreeing.
It’s easy for me to say, “don't even worry about time passing.” But like everything, it’s easier said than done.
I can only give one piece of advice: in moments where you find yourself falling away from the moment and into your brain, tell yourself, “what a great memory to look back on and how sweet it is that I will be able to create many more.”
Nostalgia should not be like breakfast, like something you have every single day. Nostalgia should be the generational family recipe of a dessert you only bring out on a special holiday.
So, if someone asks you if you could have any superpower, choose flight or ice powers and live life, so when teatime does come around, you can have not one, but two cups of tea.
I’m sure Nostalgia wouldn't mind the wait.