There are two things that keep my spirits up when everything seems to be going wrong—daydreaming and nostalgia. If you’ve got the blues, there’s nothing like cuddling under a warm blanket, grabbing a mug of hot tea and some childhood snacks, and thinking back to the good old days. (Preferably with an old movie, game, or soundtrack to help you get in the right mood.)
If you’re a nostalgiaholic who loves reminiscing about how things used to be and what we used to have, then the ‘Nostalgia’ subreddit will be right up your alley. A community of nearly 868k people, r/nostalgia is a place for everything—from things to commercials from our past, whether they’re happy, funny, or sad. Get ready to dive headfirst into your childhood. Just remember to upvote your fave pics while you’re swimming through long-forgotten memories.
Feeling nostalgic for some more nostalgia posts? Check out Bored Panda’s earlier article about the ‘Nostalgia’ subreddit right here. And be sure to let us know in the comments what you miss the most from your past, dear Readers.
Bored Panda spoke about nostalgia with Kemi Omijeh, a child and adolescent therapist based in London and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. "Many psychologists, myself included, believe our childhood is the foundation to who we are as adults. It explains why we frequently revisit our childhood as it influences our present," she explained. Read on for Omijeh's full insights about the pros and cons of nostalgia, as well as how to control your daydreaming if it's getting out of hand.
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Therapist and BACP member Omijeh explained to Bored Panda that how we remember our childhood experiences directly correlates to the kind of childhood we've had. In other words (and to generalize a bit), we're nostalgic about our childhood if our experiences are full of being loved and nurtured. Meanwhile, the opposite is also true.
"If we’ve had a difficult childhood, it can be hard to feel nostalgic, instead it will feel like something we need to get over in order to move on," said Omijeh.
According to her, nostalgia, aka our brains reliving the fun and happy times we've had, is good and healthy. "Nostalgia can also be a good coping strategy for times of low mood and challenges," she said. However, Omijeh points out that there's a limit: nostalgia can become a hindrance to everyday life when it interferes with our everyday lives and our ability to be present.
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"If we end up comparing it to our experiences today and feeling like nothing is as good as it was, then this will inevitably affect our mood and our ability to do what we need to do," therapist Omijeh said. “We can become stuck in our nostalgia; in which case it might be best to seek help from a counseling professional to help you process your past in order to enjoy your present. You can find a counseling professional through the BACP."
Another nuance is that when we're living our past memories, we're seeing them through a filter. The details might not be accurate and we're reliving what we want to remember.
Considering that some of us (ahem, yours truly) can get stuck on daydreaming quite a bit, we were curious to find out what can be done to control it and feel more 'present,' instead of always floating about in fairyland.
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90's Movie Theaters
"Identify your patterns. Think about the times you usually daydream, is there something about that situation or those times that mean you’re daydreaming? Do something about it if that is the case. Set a time limit, use a timer if it ensures you stop," BACP member Omijeh said. "Write down the biggest thought or feeling as a result of the daydream. That way you’re not just stopping daydreaming. You are doing something positive as a nice transition from stopping daydreaming to doing something."
She also suggests interrupting daydreams by reminding ourselves of action points and to-do lists. Even something like singing or humming your favorite song can work wonders to distract you. Not a fan of music? Try reciting a poem or remembering your math skills by doing the times table. In other words, do something, anything to distract yourself from your daydreaming if you feel that it occupies too much of your time.
"Finally, turn your daydream into a visualization or goal exercise. Your daydreams could be a communication about your innermost desires. Could you begin to plan how to achieve those desires?" the therapist mused.
Viennetta, The Ice Cream That I Knew My Family Couldn’t Afford
I distinctly remember the sound in the commercial when the chocolate cracked :D
In Italy you can still eat Viennetta :) And it’s exactly the same!
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I kept seeing commercials for these, so I splurged and tried it. I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed. It tasted alright, but I guess I expected too much because of the adverts.
It doesn’t taste like it used to coz I think they changed the recipe. It was creamier, more vanilla flavour and more chocolate crack. Now it is quite bland and more icy than creamy.
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Does anyoone remember 'Arctic Roll' as well? Used to love that of a Sunday evening 😁
It is still around, and both my family and me love it. And it DOES actually still make that very sound when the chocolate cracks!
Once upon a time you could get a vienetta free with a family meal or the likes.
You can buy Viennetta's now from Farmfoods for £1 lol, here in the UK! When I was about 12ish, I ate a whole one myself, not in one sitting though, and my family all made fun of me for it! I don't know how close to Christmas this happened but that year, at Christmas when the whole family were at my grans to exchange presents, my mum and all my aunties bought a Viennetta each and wrapped them up and put them under the tree for me (they had them stored in the freezer until the last minute)! When I opened the 1st couple I laughed, by the time I opened the 3rd one, it just wasn't funny anymore! I threw the 4th one across the room and ran out crying!! But they were all happy - that was the Christmas desserts sorted! Should have kept them all and gave them none for their Christmas dinners! Bastards!!
In Spain also, I think! Maybe is a mediterranean thing...
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We used to get the Spumoni roll version of this for family birthday parties when I was a kid. Special occasions only though.
it's by Breyers ice cream. if you can't afford that you're in serious trouble.
I saw in magazines but never tasted it but always imagined the taste and hard chocolate crack
In Spain we call this Comtessa, even if the name changed for a time. But it was a CLASSIC (it is!!) on daily menu restaurants!! And it was included on the menu, so it was not really expensive. Still, really loved here. <3
We can still get it here in Sweden. I didn't realize it was "obsolete".
Oh my gosh, I remember wanting this so bad, even though I was never crazy about ice cream. It just looked so fancy.
It can still be found in Turkey in a lot of markets. And it looks the same. There is also a chocolate flavored one and it is nearly my favourite ice cream. :)
We have this as a dessert on Christmas Day for those that don’t like proper Christmas Pudding every year to date. It doesn’t have as many layers as it used to tho x
Couldn’t afford? This was among the cheapest ice cream deserts in the grocery store, around $1. Today it’s still no more than $3. (Europe though, maybe more expensive in the states.?)
In the US it was expensive compared to other kinds of ice cream in the 80's. I bought once or twice but was disappointed in the taste. My girls and husband preferred plain vanilla ice cream.
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We didn't have Viennetta in my country when I was young, but my grandpa always brought me some when he came home from his abroad travels.
Viennetta is still a thing, I have 4 of these bad boys (2x chocolate and 2x strawberry) in my freezer!
Were having these for Christmas pudding, they're £1 each now , how the mighty have fallen.
We used to buy this one for Christmas and funny thing is, that my dad bought an ice cream today for Christmas and my mom told him it's a wrong one, and remembered we used to buy this one in the past and now I see this post.. I was brought to my childhood and felt old at the same time.
For me, this is the ice cream we would get at my Nana's house. The chocolate never tasted of chocolate, more like "generic sweetness shards" but the ice cream itself was alright. xD
Well it might have been new in the 90s, but it is still on sale now. The mint version is rather nice.
Still exists, its actual better cause they changed the recipe and its soft now. Back then it was hard as a log. Also, not sure if it was conaidered expensive back then but now its dirt cheap. Actually much chearper than other family ice creams which weigh the same
My mum has a mint flavour and original vanilla flavour in the freezer for Christmas! Still popular in the UK.
Omfg yes!! But in Sweden they were pretty cheap, the pre made frozen ones. But haven't seen them in like 15 years or so!
Yes....and the rare times we had it, i was disapointted because it tasted somehow syntethic. :/
Actor Jonathan Hyde, A Staple Of Fun 90s Movies (Pictured: Richie Rich, Jumanji, Titanic, And The Mummy)
You know what? I have never pieced these together as the same person lol.
Fisher Price Farm
My mom gave these to me cause she was cleaning out the attic. The silos missing, so is the fence, along with the stuff the horse is carrying, also no trough, it’s kinda dirty. I asked my kids to clean it off to sell it. And they go “NOOOOOOOO DONT SEEEELL IIIIIIT!” and I go “why?” They go “CAUSE I WANT IIIIIT” now guess what, it’s sitting in the corner, collecting dust. (But I also sorta want to keep it because it’s a vintage set I got it when I was like 5 and it was full then but you know how messy kids are 🤣)
Seeing how the r/nostalgia subreddit was formed back in 2008, in a very meta way, it won’t be long before someone’s nostalgic for its founding days as well.
Whether or not nostalgia is good or bad for you is a complex question, as we've seen. But, in short, it’s all about balance. On the one hand, living just in your memories draws you away from the present, making you blind to your surroundings and the important events happening around you. We should be happy with where we are in the present, not just the past.
And, well, if we’re not too content with where we are in life, it’s best to make some honest changes so we have some great memories to look forward to in the future. But nostalgia has some great upsides, too, and plenty of researchers and therapists agree.
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On the other hand, being nostalgic can have benefits as well. It’s no secret that the way we think and what we think about affects our daily lives. Similarly, Scientific American confirms that the bittersweet nostalgic feelings we get actually improve our mood, our vitality, and possibly even our mental health.
That’s because nostalgia boosts something known as ‘self-continuity’ which is how connected we feel to our past selves and the narrative we have about our lives. So it really does pay off to reminisce about the brightest parts of your life, full of loved ones, warmth, and wholesome activities. Just remember not to get stuck there for too long, Pandas—it’s time to make new heartwarming memories.
I Miss This Cartoon Network
Mumma had a chicken, mumma had a cow, daddy was proud he didn’t care how.
Somehow, This McDonald's Floor Was Always Sticky And Slippery At The Same Time
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Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993)
Getting Your Feet Measured Whenever You Got New School Shoes
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The Blanket That Was Set Over Every Grandma’s Couch
Ohhh. I have one of these in my closet. Can’t bring myself to get rid of it. Nana made it! In those exact colors.
Checking The New Release Section In Blockbuster
I'm not saying I dislike having 1000's of shows and movies at my fingertips. However, when you don't have instant access to things, it makes them special and fun. Going and picking out a movie was special. It was fun. And I miss that.
Ancient Cup From Pizza Hut. Nostalgic Enough?
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Anyone Still Remember Wacky Races?
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90s High School Science Classroom
Christmas Life Savers Book
School Maps Over The Whiteboard
Paper Plate Holders
My primitive ass didn't even know this existed. Ever, not only in 90ies :D
Who Remembers Tiny Sized Chiclets?
Flintstones Vitamins
My doctor recommended I start taking 4 a day to help boost my immune system when she determined I had long-haul COVID. No joke. I'm 37.
"Zip Off" Shorts
if you're into hiking, i bet you've got a pair in your closet. i sure do.
Anyone Played Aladdin?
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Having To Watch The Price Is Right When You Stayed Home Sick From School
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Does Anyone Remember The Pagemaster?
Throwback To The Times When You Could Happily Spend Hours Just Moving Piles Of Sand From One Place To Another
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LEGO Ghost From The 90s. Glows In The Dark!
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Heads Up! 7up!
Believe it or not, I once had to get stitches from playing a game of heads up seven up.
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90's Animation Drawing I Made
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First movie that made me cry. I so, so badly needed them to be back together! Fun fact: This is a Japanese movie (Koneko Monogatari) which was incredibly easy to dub in other languages (no humans, no moving lips). Not so fun fact: this predated a lot of modern animal cruelty standards and laws....many animals were killed and abused in the making.
Cooties
Game Boy Advance Sp
And the original game boy and gbc cartridges would stick out, That was so fun.
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Pizza Hut
Anyone Remember The Creepy-Crawler Bug Maker?
The Old Mcdonald’s Drive Thru Menu
OK, this is actually so much better, and easier, looking than they are now!
I’d Spend So Many Long Summer Nights As A Kid Watching Nick At Nite!
Does anyone remember "salute your shorts" or "hey dude" on nick?
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The Kmart Cafe
Omg, I did not know that this was a common thing. I only knew of one Kmart that had a cafe in the store.
Ipod Silhouette Ads (Mid To Late 2000s)
Tmnt Select Screen
Best 99¢ I Ever Spent. Copyright 1988. I Have An Alf One And A Lambchop One Too
A 1996 Toys-R-Us Flyer
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Arguably The Best Scooby Doo Movie, Scooby Doo On Zombie Island
Microsoft Golf
When Scooby Doo Gummies Were Actually Good
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Rockin My Jnco Jeans Back In The Day
Kmart Halloween Costumes And Accessories, 1985
Twisted Metal
Anyone Remember Gatorade Gum?
Anyone Remember The Star Wars Pepsi Cans From Episode 1?!
Bass Fishing' Game By Radica!
Solid, Nasty Ass Vitamins
I guess this was a very American article, because I hardly recognised any of these.
im not american and recognized most of them, maybe its an age thing?
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I used to watch a show called Banana Splits when I was little. I loved the theme song part at the beginning!
The effin Banana Buggies! Who else wanted to drive one?
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Pepper Ann, Pepper Ann, much to cool for 7th grade. Pepper Ann she's like one in a million! Pepper-Ann...94503f.jpg 
I'm 70, and recognized most, except for the TV shows....I never saw that playground Excavator, and I would have spent a LOT of time digging around...
Hi I grew up in Poland (although in capital city which is always a step ahead when compared to the rest of the country) in 90’s and 00’s shocked to see that I can relate to and remember 80-90% of the things described above. My point is that: We weren’t that different from the west and US after all.
Wow. Like many other people I also thought that these things might be American or British because I couldn't recognize many of them but now I guess not
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Weebles wobble but they don't fall down. That was another of my favorite toys:) And the weeble haunted house . The ghost glowed in the dark.
Not for me, but my children's time. So, I remember and enjoyed a lot of that...second hand of course!
I am an American (apparently a very old American). I recognized the grade-school writing paper and, of course, card catalogues.
I recognized perhaps 10 of them and I am in my 30's. Is this an American article?
I guess this was a very American article, because I hardly recognised any of these.
im not american and recognized most of them, maybe its an age thing?
Load More Replies... I used to watch a show called Banana Splits when I was little. I loved the theme song part at the beginning!
The effin Banana Buggies! Who else wanted to drive one?
Load More Replies... Pepper Ann, Pepper Ann, much to cool for 7th grade. Pepper Ann she's like one in a million! Pepper-Ann...94503f.jpg
I'm 70, and recognized most, except for the TV shows....I never saw that playground Excavator, and I would have spent a LOT of time digging around...
Hi I grew up in Poland (although in capital city which is always a step ahead when compared to the rest of the country) in 90’s and 00’s shocked to see that I can relate to and remember 80-90% of the things described above. My point is that: We weren’t that different from the west and US after all.
Wow. Like many other people I also thought that these things might be American or British because I couldn't recognize many of them but now I guess not
Load More Replies... Weebles wobble but they don't fall down. That was another of my favorite toys:) And the weeble haunted house . The ghost glowed in the dark.
Not for me, but my children's time. So, I remember and enjoyed a lot of that...second hand of course!
I am an American (apparently a very old American). I recognized the grade-school writing paper and, of course, card catalogues.
I recognized perhaps 10 of them and I am in my 30's. Is this an American article?
