What’s one particular thing that makes you nostalgic?

[Marco10]

For me, it’s a combo of the smell of brewed coffee and orange scent. I don't know why but it makes me really nostalgic.

Nothing in particular

I’m nostalgic when _____

[AmandaYVR]

Oh, so many things.

So here's a bad/negative one: The smell of creosote. In my neck of the woods they impregnate cut trees with it, before submerging into the water and using at the docks. It prevents wood rot. But I hate that smell. Or dislike it. Because it means I'm going on a ferry. Which means I'm going to an island, or away from the mainland, and that means awkward family visits, and storms where you get stranded, and limited resources, and having to eat whatever is presented in front of you (even if it's disgusting Rock Cod, or frost-bitten vegetables, or going-off-in-the-fridge vegetables that were garden-grown, "but we don't waste anything here." And being forced to the leech lake, to watch a bunch of hippies lie around with their hairy armpits and gossip about the island folk. Fuuuuck that.

Here's one that sounds bad, but it's really good: The smell of musty basements. I grew up with this smell. Because it rains so much here that we are always surrounded by lush green trees and foliage... and slightly damp basements. But basements are where you get away 'from the others', have some space and privacy, listen to loud music, play on the exercise bike, have a party with your friends, and generally get up to "no good." It also reminds me of my deceased German grandmother's house, which I do not remember one bit, visually, (I was super young), but every time I smell that smell, I am taken back in time to something good. Even though I don't know what that it. It might be playing, or hot cooked comfort food, or a hug... I really don't know. But it makes me happy. (But if I was buying a home, I would be very, very worried, because it could mean the concrete foundation is not in a good state, and mould is growing.) There's good water, and bad water, and this is most definitely the bad kind.

And here's some positive ones: The scent of a Starbucks Tall Double Shot Peppermint Mocha. This smells like Christmas window shopping in LA or many years ago here.
Obsession and Drakkar Noir. Potent, robust, but appropriate for those early, lust-filled days of a not-so-subtle youthful palette and a high school crush later realized, and you are intoxicated, x2.
Kissing a Netherland Dwarf on the face, on the cheek, and breathing in their beautiful, distinct scent. It always smells good to me. It always did, even with my first, before I ever remember having them, which was apparently around the age of 3. I don't consciously think it smells like childhood. I think it smells like rabbit. But sometimes I wonder if childhood is what is subconsciously conjures. That was right before my parents divorced, the following year. I've never thought this before. I just made the connection.

@kingdomforakiss Here's a nostalgia q for you.

[Marco10]

“To watch a bunch of hippies lie around with their hairy armpits and gossip about the island folk. Fuck that.” Lmao I laughed real hard on this one.

Musty basements? Hmmm reminds me of this one place that I used to hang out with my childhood friends. Now we all live in different places, have different lives but that scent reminds me of that place when life was easy and our biggest fear was getting caught smoking in an alley. (I’m not a smoker but I was a curious child)

Those colognes and youthful crushes, wow! This actually makes sense. I still remember all my crushes, and how I felt back then.

Kissing a rabbit? Hmmm never done that so I can’t relate but they’re cute.

[AmandaYVR]

lol. Yep, that's how I summarize island life (at least over here.) Bunch of misfits too. They do not like conforming, that is for sure. They hate 'city folk', but really they can't handle it in the urban jungle.

Kissing is great (whether it be crushes or bunnies 🐇)

by the way, why are all my nostalgias scent-based?
I wonder if it has anything to do with sense of smell developing first in the limbic system.

[Gracie28]

While going on a long drive looking out the just watching the trees go by one by one it reminds of my home country.

[Marco10]

I feel the same too. That’s a good one!

[Gracie28]

Thank you☺️

[Anonymous]

Mostly listening to music from the 1980s and a bit of the late 1970s as that is when I went to high school and college. Sort of the time when I started growing up more independent of my parents and such.

Ironically, the other kind of music that gets my mind to a nostalgic place is jazz, particularly of the 1970s period. My father was a part-time jazz musician. It was a hobby for him and periodically we would attend his concerts.

The funny part being that, as a child, I hated to hear him practice. It just sounded like random noise. However, the jazz concerts were really amazing affairs and had a sort of nighclub feel that, as a kid, I just thought was "cool."

For all that, now, I get a bit wistful, if not nostalgic, when I see my three little Munchkins - two boys and my little princess - and how fast they are growing up. They are not that old - only 10, 9 and soon to be 7 - but I still remember when they were little babies and I held them in my arms.

As I say, maybe not so much nostalgia as a touch of wistfulness. Still, I will just catch them in some moment when they are playing or whatever and backward reels the mind. I know that they must grow up - and I want them to - but still, I can't help but get a little misty.

[Marco10]

Music gives instant nostalgia. I totally get what you said about your dad playing jazz and practicing. In my childhood, one of my great uncles was into singing opera. Now as an adult, I love operas. I listen to them almost everyday, but back then my great uncle used to scare me when he practiced. I would literally lose my mind when he goes on an impromptu cadenza. At the time, they were too weird to me. Now, I only wish I can go back in time to listen to him.

[Opinion Owner]

Could not agree more. In fact, classical music is in my background too. My mother, an aunt and a cousin all listened to classical music - opera included - and the latter two were both concert pianists.

So classical music makes me a little nostalgic too. However, for whatever reason, my dad and jazz really bring back the memories.

As far as childhood, when I was a little, I recall a time that I had gone to bed and was fast asleep. Then my dad, in a completely different part of the house, began rehearsing. (He played alto and tenor sax and sometimes, though not often, the clarinet.)

The sound creeped into my dreams and I woke up crying as it gave me a nightmare. It only happened once and most of the time I just recall not liking what to my young ears sounded like random noise. However, at the concerts - or at the PJazz and Montreaux Detroit Jazz Fest (I am from the Detroit area) - it was amazing and as I became a teen I liked it even more.

Still, as I say, brings back the memories.

[Lliam]

Recalling my youth in Southern California and the inexpensive places families could go on an outing - Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Santa's Village, The Enchanted Forest, Busch Gardens, the Alligator Farm, the Japanese Deer Park, Pier Point Landing, Ports O Call, the Huntington Library, the L. A. Arboretum, movie palace-style theaters, drive in movies, zoos, museums, ...

I used to enjoy going to places like that with my parents and grandparents. Everything was family oriented.
I was just talking to my sister about that stuff yesterday, so it's on my mind.

Everything as gotten expensive. It costs hundreds of $ now to spend a day at Disneyland and there are tons of restrictions. You even have to pay to park at the beach anymore. Theme parks have been taken over by thrill rides.

[Marco10]

Life’s changed. I wish I belonged to an era like the one you just depicted here. I would happily live with no internet, and all of today’s “comforts”.

[Lliam]

Interesting that you say that, Marco. Electronic stuff replaced family outings. I think the kind of places I mentioned began to sprout up in the late 50s was because there were a lot of husbands with decent enough jobs and there were a lot of families looking for fun things to do.

Now days, kids have to have devices with which to play games and watch movies all the time. The fact that they are always preoccupied and never get bored makes them jaded and they don't go out and invent their own fun. They don't take as much pleasure from real life. They aren't thrilled by going on outings to places that are both fun and educational. Are they storing up wonderful memories by burying their faces in devices?

[MCheetah]

Playing Pokemon Red and Blue. I got Pokemon Red for my 12th birthday in November 1998. I have so many vivid memories playing that game, including watching UPN (yes, UPN) while playing it and getting lost in Silph Company's damn warp tiles. It takes me back to my childhood, even though my childhood was mostly horrible (but as nostalgia works, we only choose to remember the good parts). I had other Game Boy games as well, including Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle (which they made three sequels for), but I pretty much never played them again after Pokemon Red, then later Blue.

[Marco10]

I remember those! These were the best days. I remember I used to play it on my cousin’s Gameboy because my family never got me one. It is very nostalgic, you’re right!

[molonski2]

Ohhh , it just all the time for me , particularly at my age , some passed young , so many pieces of nostalgia , my old street , school , sporting fields , dance locations , the memories of simple times flood back.
When #ShockHorror , we didn't even know there was going to be an internet.. EVER.
Now what do we do when the ISP drops out? But , then again , I could not talk to you wonderful people , or run my business online.. Its a Dichotomy ! :)
Some memories are lovely , and I ask myself. Could you Dave have even dreamed this stuff? Makes you wonder about the future right? Nice time

[Marco10]

You’re right! Schools especially are so nostalgic. I want to go back to my 1st ever high school overseas when I get a chance. I think I would remember every wall and every desk

[exitseven]

I have been going to a place for vacation my whole life. I just went back a few weeks a go. I didn't go last year because of the virus.
You have to take a ferry boat to get there and every time I see the pier as I approach from the ferry I still get goosebumps.

[Marco10]

That’s nice. Places can have such an impact when we visit them after a long absence.

[jamiematt]

WWF (before it become WWE) trump cards, Tom & Jerry, paperplanes, the chewing gum that came with love tester cards lol, kid's spy gear, gun with yellow plastic bullets, potato chips with tazos, general goodies that came in potato chips bags, instant noodles, yummy pastries, kebabs with hot mint sauce, smell of damp soil after rain. Oh, how beautiful that phase of life can be. My only hope that when and if I become a father, I am emotionally and mentally so strong for my daughter or son, that I can give them an amazing childhood without projecting my frustrations on them.

[menina]

I'm nostalgic when I listen to songs from early 2000's. It reminds me of my teenage years and of a world that no longer exists.

[Marco10]

Nothing is more powerful than music. It can take you back in time monetarily. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes bad.

[menina]

I absolutely agree with you. In this case it's all good.

[FictionalCharacter]

@menina
Oh!
My heart 💔

[menina]

@FictionalCharacter Thank you. 😊 Those were good times, it's a shame that they're gone. 😔

[libsaretards]

Music from the past or talking to my family and friends. I pretty much have the same friends I had since high school so seeing their lives now vs. back then and then thinking on mine takes me back.

[Marco10]

Yeah, same here.

[Phoenix98]

Songs from the 90s I remember listening to we're gonna party like it's 1999 in 1999 that was fun.

[Marco10]

Those were the days. My uncle used to play it in his car back then.

[Phoenix98]

Yeah the 90s were the last great decade.

[Silas_153]

Certain smells, like jasmine and mandarins (not together, separately).

[Marco10]

I wonder, why Jasmine?

[FunkyMonkee]

Music, movies, t. v. shows, being in the neighbourhood where I spent all but the last 2 years of my life, memorabilia, pictures, things I've written, places I've been, etc..

[najekim]

Fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Reminds me of my mother.

[Marco10]

The smell of cinnamon is one of the best smells.

[najekim]

And tastes.

[AphroditesSword]

Games like Lock and key, monopoly, hide and seek, snake etc.,

[loveslongnails]

Going back to my college, remembering how it was the best time of my life, and wishing I could do it again.

[abc3643]

Waking up and realizing the nightmare that my life has become and that it is only trending downward as I approach a hopefully merciful death.

[Marco10]

Cheer up my man. We’re all gonna die eventually.

[dray995]

When I heard old music playing, or when I watch an old movie or an old TV show….. or anything at all that reminds me of the past.

[Year3000]

The Los Angeles metro I spent a lot of time in my childhood in LA and OC. A very innocent and clean community down south there.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Lots of music from the past can do that to me.

[Marco10]

Same! Yesterday they played Britney’s Genie in a Bottle at my local gym and it brought so many memories.

[Andres77]

Wasn't that Christina?

[Marco10]

Yes my bad lol. It’s Christina. To this day I keep mixing up their old songs.

[Andres77]

Ugh! I'm so embarrassed I even knew that! 😣

[FictionalCharacter]

Music, entertainment and fashion 💞💓💗💔

[Marco10]

Fashion is one of mine too. Sometimes the smell of a leather jacket can bring back too many memories!

[Paris13]

I go to the Cemetery and Know my Parents and Grandparents are Buried there. xx

[Asianguy123]

When I am on a freeway I feel like I am back to New York City

[Ninjazzed]

The smell of a 90s-style Pizza Hut.

[Marco10]

That was an amazing smell

[Anonymous]

Music, its amazing how some songs can have that affect on me.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

[Overmind]

good enough by Cindi Lauper.

[Andres77]

Every fall.

[mword3]

Old cartoons!

[Smegskull]

Chip tunes

[jimmy2]

I look at antiques