Nostalgia for difficult times, such as the early months of the pandemic or oppressive historical periods like the USSR under Stalin, reflects a complex human tendency to romanticize the past. While many Russians express nostalgia for their communist past, others find comfort in memories of shared struggles, like soldiers reminiscing about camaraderie in war. Researchers suggest that recalling tough periods can help individuals derive meaning in present hardships. This is often compounded by the 'fading affect bias,' where negative memories fade quicker, leading people to remember the past more favorably than it actually was.
Reflecting on the challenging times we've endured provides significance and edification to a life that can otherwise seem pointlessly difficult. The past was tough, we think, but we survived it, so we must be tough too.
Some people miss the early, eerie first few months of the pandemic, when time seemed to have stopped, highlighting how nostalgia can emerge even for challenging moments.
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