What Is Nostalgia? The Kitchen Shrink Explains

Stuck In The Past: Nostalgic Feelings

Have you ever thought of what decade you you have wanted to live in? What era are you nostalgic for? By now you can comfortably conclude that I am stuck in the late 1940's and very early 1950s.

When I discover kitchen-wares from the Postwar years, I feel like I have struck gold. It is as if I got a second chance to have a bowl of chicken soup in grandma's kitchen. Each time I go out shopping for kitchen collectibles I am reminded of
grandma's house on E. 93rd Street in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nostalgic Tugs And Pulls

We all have our own tugs and pulls. And for many of us...the drive to go out and hunt for stuff is a desire to quiet down those tugs and pulls. Nostalgia is a yearning for the past. The roots of the word are associated with "aching" and longing for home. By the way, here is an interesting sidebar. After the Middle Ages, Nostalgia was considered a medical condition akin to melancholy.

But relax, it's not the 1500's anymore. It's o.k. to shlep around looking for antiques and collectibles..no need to worry about your sanity.

Attached To Warm Feelings

Since I grew up in the 1950s, why don't I have a craving for pink and turquoise? I love abstract barkcloth, but not in the same way as I do a planter or dish cloth from the 1940s. The answer for me is that I am swept back into my grandmother's home when I see housewares and objects
of the postwar years and these objects are associated with pleasant memories.

Nostalgia is about stirring up strong feelings, generally linked to important figure, places, events in our life. These feelings can be of happy or sorrowful times.

Feeling Nostalgic

"The term of "feeling nostalgic" is more commonly used to describe pleasurable emotions associated with and/or a longing to go back to a particular period of time. For many of us, we are comforted by our collections which is why we seek opportunities to revive the pleasant experiences time and time again. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalgia

I'm outta her...got to get going....Nostalgia is calling me to duty...junking here I go!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.