Nostalgize

To nostalgize is to view or remember the past with fondness, longing, or a sentimental idealization. It involves a subjective process of filtering memories, often focusing on positive aspects and downplaying negatives. The act of nostalgizing often elicits feelings of yearning for a time, place, or experience considered more comforting, simpler, or better than the present. This process is often triggered by sensory cues, such as a familiar smell, song, or photograph, and can profoundly influence one's perceptions and emotions. The level of sentimental connection determines how strong the feeling is, ranging from a fleeting sense of wistfulness to an intense feeling of 'homesickness' for the past.

Nostalgize meaning with examples

• Hearing the jingle of the ice cream truck on a summer afternoon, Sarah began to nostalgize about her childhood, remembering carefree days spent running through sprinklers and sharing cones with her friends. It became a fond memory from her childhood. She was very nostalgic because the memories helped to erase the current stress.
• The elderly gentleman sat on the park bench, watching children play, and nostalgized about the days when he played there. He was also very nostalgic about playing hide and seek with his friends. He missed those days. He missed the sounds and the smells, but mostly the comfort and security.
• The writer's new novel intentionally uses vibrant, detailed descriptions of 1950s America to encourage the reader to nostalgize the era, attempting to create a sense of shared longing for the past. The book hoped that the memories would be fond and not bitter.
• After losing her job, Maria found herself frequently nostalgizing about her college days, a time when she felt more confident and secure in her future. The job was a letdown, so the memories from college were good, even if at the time, life was hard.