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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Eleanor Gordon-Smith

I am sometimes overwhelmed by feelings of nostalgia. Is this a bad thing?

Eleanor
19th century painting of a grand stone staircase which leads to classical ruins with columns at sunset, with people reclining in the foreground.
‘Some amount of longing to go back is inevitable for mortal creatures like us, who can only travel one way through time.’ Painting: Classical Ruins at Sunset by Pierre Pequignot. Illustration: piemags/Alamy

Is nostalgia a negative emotion? I often feel nostalgic these days. It is a background noise that I am trying to ignore.

It was especially present during the pandemic, when my nostalgia seemed to spread into a species of grief for lost places and activities. I find myself thinking sadly about places I won’t be able to visit for a very long time.

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