The Nostalgia Trap

One thing I see a lot of these days are people pining for the past.

Every turn around across a lot of platforms ‘oh things were better when…’ or ‘things aren’t like they used to be…’

I am guilty of this. I do believe that there is a lack of quality across sports as opposed to what there was say 20-30 years ago. This is a common thought process among each generation. Is it true that in the 1990’s that people were thinking the same of the 1960’s for example? I suppose if you look at the fact that England won the World Cup in 1966 and people still talk about how good they were!

It does beg the question that in the year of 2055, will people be talking about the Liverpool team of this year? Or Carlos Alcaraz? Or Scottie Scheffler? Max Verstappen?

I am not so sure they will. Scheffler maybe purely because of the numbers he is putting up but even then there is the argument of technology and the field he is facing as opposed to the equipment and golfers in Tiger Woods’ era.

Maybe one thing that is making my mind focus on this point is that it is coming up on 10 years since Dundalk FC’s European breakthrough of which I was a part of and the first Lilywhite side to win back-to-back titles.

There was a narrative online that our particular side isn’t as good as one from the 1980’s…even Dundalk teams and I would be in disagreement because I believe there has to be a certain level reached. The group stage performance in the UEFA Europa League is above anything that any Irish club has achieved.

In 30 years there will be a discussion about that performance and a looking back with some nostalgia and maybe in that case it is rightly so.

I am conscious of the line in ‘The Sopranos’ where Tony says to Paulie that remember when is lowest form of conversation. Sometimes it is good to reminisce and look back at moments gone by. It can give a fresh perspective, a thought which wasn’t present in the moment, an idea where you are removed from the time itself and can see things fairer.

That’s maybe why we look back and wish it was like old times again. Maybe the 1999 Manchester United team for example really were as good as people thought and as time progresses the fondness for that side grows.

Maybe it was a moment in time that we are trying to recapture and hold onto again because it is comfortable.

Whatever the reason, sometimes it is good to look back and hold on, remember how things used to be and enjoy the memories that come with it.

Who knows, maybe things will be that good again? Why not better?

Nostalgia is an essential part of life, sometimes the moments are good, others not so good but there is a time of learning in it for all.

Enjoy the moment while you have it and appreciate it later on – it makes for a better life and enhances your every day living.