How a psychologist challenged us to unthink food nostalgia
How a psychologist challenged us to unthink food nostalgia
How a psychologist challenged us to unthink food nostalgia
Does nostalgia always mean familiar?
Does nostalgia always mean familiar?
2 min, June 6, 2025
2 min, June 6, 2025
Does nostalgia always mean familiar?
2 min, June 6, 2025
THE TRAP:
THE TRAP:
THE TRAP:
Nostalgic foods embrace comfort, simplicity and familiarity.
Nostalgic foods embrace comfort, simplicity and familiarity.
Nostalgic foods embrace comfort, simplicity and familiarity.
When we think about tapping into nostalgia, it's generally the comforting dishes, simple flavours and familiar ingredients that come to mind. We 'play it safe', assuming that classic comfort foods will connect us to memories and moments in life where we felt more protected.
When we think about tapping into nostalgia, it's generally the comforting dishes, simple flavours and familiar ingredients that come to mind. We 'play it safe', assuming that classic comfort foods will connect us to memories and moments in life where we felt more protected.
When we think about tapping into nostalgia, it's generally the comforting dishes, simple flavours and familiar ingredients that come to mind. We 'play it safe', assuming that classic comfort foods will connect us to memories and moments in life where we felt more protected.
Psychologist Re-frame:
Psychologist Re-frame:
Psychologist Re-frame:
"The strongest nostalgic memories form when we have the perfect balance of safety and freedom."
"The strongest nostalgic memories form when we have the perfect balance of safety and freedom."
"The strongest nostalgic memories form when we have the perfect balance of safety and freedom."
It's in adolescence when we are forming our identity. When we often don't have a lot of worry, but are fetting to the point where we can do the things we want to do.
It's in adolescence when we are forming our identity. When we often don't have a lot of worry, but are fetting to the point where we can do the things we want to do.
It's in adolescence when we are forming our identity. When we often don't have a lot of worry, but are fetting to the point where we can do the things we want to do.
There's a period of adolescence known as the 'Reminiscence Bump' - that's especially pronounced in our memories. Tapping into these memories in later years doesn't just bring back positive feelings of comfort. It helps re-ignite a sense of youthfulness, freedom and adventure.
There's a period of adolescence known as the 'Reminiscence Bump' - that's especially pronounced in our memories. Tapping into these memories in later years doesn't just bring back positive feelings of comfort. It helps re-ignite a sense of youthfulness, freedom and adventure.
There's a period of adolescence known as the 'Reminiscence Bump' - that's especially pronounced in our memories. Tapping into these memories in later years doesn't just bring back positive feelings of comfort. It helps re-ignite a sense of youthfulness, freedom and adventure.
THE TAKEAWAY:
THE TAKEAWAY:
THE TAKEAWAY:
Nostalgia is about remixing old memories with the thrill of newness and adventure.
Nostalgia is about remixing old memories with the thrill of newness and adventure.
Nostalgia is about remixing old memories with the thrill of newness and adventure.
Instead of replicating the past, how could we unlock the same powerful feelings and emotions that are tied to nostalgic memory formation?
Instead of replicating the past, how could we unlock the same powerful feelings and emotions that are tied to nostalgic memory formation?
Instead of replicating the past, how could we unlock the same powerful feelings and emotions that are tied to nostalgic memory formation?
HOW MIGHT WE:
HOW MIGHT WE:
HOW MIGHT WE:
Focus less on recreating food memories, and more on capturing the same feeling of safe adventure we're actually nostalgic for?
ignite nostalgia for different generations by tapping into the decades of their unique 'reminiscence bumps' of adolescent memory?
Focus less on recreating food memories, and more on capturing the same feeling of safe adventure we're actually nostalgic for?
ignite nostalgia for different generations by tapping into the decades of their unique 'reminiscence bumps' of adolescent memory?
Focus less on recreating food memories, and more on capturing the same feeling of safe adventure we're actually nostalgic for?
ignite nostalgia for different generations by tapping into the decades of their unique 'reminiscence bumps' of adolescent memory?