S’ inspirér
“ It was better before” – whether on social media or in conversation, this little lament comes up again and again. A universal phenomenon lies behind these cherished memories of yesteryear: our fascination with the past. A country’ s identity – indeed, the identity of each and every human being – is nourished by memory. In today’ s uncertain world, with its economic, political, climatic, and technological upheavals, what is more reassuring than a secure grip on the landmarks of our history?
Every study undertaken on the theme of nostalgia in recent decades confirms it: revisiting the‘ good old days’ is good for us. Reminiscing about happy times triggers feelings of well-being in our brains; even if some of those memories are actually bittersweet – our brains have a natural tendency to sugar coat the past – a scent, a song, a film or an object from childhood can be enough to inspire a feeling of security or make us smile.
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