Throughout life there are many changes and difficult transitions that you face, but nostalgia has been proven to help in those difficult times. In most films, novels, television shows, etc. modern people there is some form of nostalgia; he is usually there to help the characters or to reflect on a better time. Nostalgia is a human reaction that occurs when people are faced with a multitude of different situations, the most common of which is change; the result of a nostalgic memory typically helps a person feel better (Tierney). Looking back through nostalgia tends to help people feel better about current situations, but it also helps bring a sense of clarity that might not otherwise have been achieved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay When talking about nostalgia, it's crucial to look back at the history of the word and the different meanings it has taken on over time. Nostalgia, as a concept, has gone through important phases of development throughout its history, initially being considered a "neurological disease of essentially demonic cause" (Hoffer qtd. in Tierney). At the time it was considered “immigrant psychosis,” “melancholia,” and a “mentally repressive compulsive disorder” (Tierney). In recent years it has taken on a more positive connotation, simply meaning something along the lines of a positive or bittersweet memory from the past. Scientists and psychologists have used the new meaning to delve deeper into the effects it has on people. They conducted experiments to see what physical and mental changes occur when exposed to past memories and found that people are more likely to feel hopeful in a bleak situation when they think about positive memories from the past. Throughout my life, I have experienced many changes, but never before have I experienced transitions as difficult as this year. The year started out great when I found out my parents were divorcing and the timing couldn't have been more horrendous. I thought life would be crazy enough to graduate from high school, start college, watch all my friends leave, but then I found out that my parents, who had been married for almost twenty-five years, were divorcing. To say that my life had changed drastically would be an understatement. As if the shock of divorce was enough, add the stress of moving, arguments, and my parents' newfound "dating freedom." Everything seemed to be going downhill at 26, so naturally I looked back to better times, to when life was easier. I thought back to my childhood, to when my sister and I played peacefully at home, without worrying about anything, to when I met my best friend in fifth grade and knew I had met my soulmate, but above all to Christmases Past , when my family sat down to watch The Grinch and when we decorated the tree, together. These memories helped me remember that peace and togetherness were possible in my life, that my parents were capable of being civil and even to love each other. Looking back, I realize that the memories I'm reflecting on were incredibly helpful and positive, but it also made me realize one thing: I was extremely ignorant. I lived in a bubble that were happening around me, personal battles that were being fought. When I turn my focus away from the positive aspects of the memories, I realize that I had ignored the signs of struggle around me. Towards me and my sisterminor, my parents were always positive and never showed any personal battles they were struggling with, so obviously my memories would be positive. Even though I occasionally witnessed things or heard things that confused and shocked me. The memory that changed my life the most was one night sitting at dinner with my whole family, my father had mentioned something to me about his "sponsor", being about ten years old at the time, I didn't really understand what he was talking about. speaking. I later asked my mother what he meant, because I had a hunch because I remember seeing him drink a lot as a child, but she then confirmed my suspicion, his "sponsor" was for AA. From that point on, I would always be careful with alcohol and watch out for my father, it became an ingrained response that I still have today. Research shows that nostalgia typically begins through a bittersweet memory, but will create a better environment or more positive outlook for the person experiencing the trauma (Sedikides). The situation I experienced with my father and his struggle with alcoholism was traumatizing and worrying, but it taught me an invaluable lesson: always be cautious with alcohol. Not only that, it made my father a human being who makes mistakes, and not just my father. Even though the situation shook me, it was my first real feeling of growth, it made me realize that my parents are people too, they have things going on in their lives that they don't always know about. After recalling this conversation with my mother, it prompted me to look back at other memories that I might consider positive, but which held a deeper truth. For example, the circumstances under which I met my best friend. Lauren had moved from Albuquerque in fifth grade and was the new kid at school. I never had any real friends in elementary school because I was considered the “odd one out” by my peers. When this new girl arrived, I knew I had to be the first to befriend her so that others couldn't taint her image of me. But there was another girl, Hannah, who was in the same situation as me, and little did I know, she needed Lauren's friendship more than I ever imagined. We constantly competed for Lauren's friendship throughout the year, being cruel to each other, writing mean notes about each other, even getting to physical levels, but in the end I won, and Lauren and I'm still best friends to this day. This was a huge win for me as a kid, and I'm still lucky that Lauren chose me, as petty as it may seem. But years later I discovered that while all this was happening, Hannah was experiencing trauma at home. Her parents were in the midst of a nasty divorce, her father was abusive, and she suffered from body dysmorphic issues. Hannah needed Lauren's approval because she didn't have it at home, to this day I feel guilty for not helping her and not being a friend to her, but it helps me understand that everyone is going through something, it's part of being a human being. All the situations I've experienced this year, as difficult as they have been, have really forced me to look back at my life and the moments that have shaped me into the person I am today. The positive memories were huge in helping me deal with the negativity that was happening, but at the same time, the hard times and the not-so-cheerful memories help put everything into perspective. The divorce was extremely hard on my life, but it made me realize that everyone has a difficult situation in their life. Looking back and being nostalgic opened my eyes and helped me deal with the situation in a way I never had.: 10.4324/9780429497122-15