The Magic of Digital Nostalgia

Many of us have recently celebrated the holidays and created new memories, photos and moments that will forever be cherished. Then there are other memories, filled in a photo album that remind you of the first day your child went to school, graduation, buying your first home or were blessed with a new pet. These albums are then shared during family gatherings or holidays to reflect and remember.

Today, with modern technology, all of these moments from times past can be found on our memories button through social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. I see several people utilize this feature on Facebook and share them with everyone. It reads something like “on this day back in 2018” and the image brings back so many feelings and thoughts.

It is times such as these horrendous fires in California or Hurricanes that the memories are stored somewhere in the cyber world to retrieve. That is a blessing to retrieve these memorable and treasured moments. Looking at these memories can evoke emotions, stir nostalgia, and sometimes, they even bring laughter or a moment of reflection. This feature has a unique way of making us feel connected to our past, offering a sense of continuity in our often rapidly changing lives.

What emotions, thoughts or feelings do your photos and memories that show up on Facebook or Instagram?