Nostalgia & Personal Reflection - The essay reflects on the author's personal experience with nostalgia, triggered by revisiting memories from 2010 to the present, particularly the game "Among Us" and its association with the COVID-19 pandemic [1][2][3][4][5] - The author connects nostalgia to the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting the increasing importance of choices and identity formation in preparation for university [6][7][8][9] - The essay explores nostalgia as a reaction to change and the unknown future, prompting a return to the comfort of the past [9][10] Cultural Nostalgia & Social Connection - Cultural nostalgia is defined as a shared sense of belonging and connection within a group based on common experiences, culture, age, nation, or ethnicity [11][12][13][14][15] - Cultural nostalgia fosters a sense of societal awareness and nuance that individual nostalgia lacks, enabling empathy and connection with diverse individuals [19][20][21][22] - The resurgence of old technology, such as vinyl records (with sales increasing by 61% in 2021, surpassing $1 billion for the first time since the 1980s), analog cameras, and flip phones, exemplifies cultural nostalgia, allowing younger generations to appreciate a past they haven't personally experienced [17][18][19] The Darker Side of Nostalgia & Generational Issues - The essay cautions against the dangers of romanticizing the past, which can lead to a bias against the present and the introduction of delinism, the belief that society is declining from a golden age [22][23][24][25] - Nostalgia can be manipulated to promote conservative and damaging worldviews, as seen in political slogans like "Make America Great Again" and trends like the "tradwife" movement, which overlook systemic inequalities [25][26] - The essay concludes by urging readers to appreciate the present moment before it becomes a source of nostalgia, recognizing that all good things eventually come to an end [27][28][29][30][31]