Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life

by Clay Routledge

A leading psychological researcher shares compelling science and valuable practices for mindfully using nostalgia to live a more grounded, connected, and purposeful life.

When an old song makes you want to dance like you did in high school, or you long for the comforting taste of your mom’s cooking, that’s more than just memory―it’s nostalgia. But is nostalgia all about “living in the past” to hide from reality? In Past Forward , psychologist Clay Routledge presents a fascinating investigation into an emotion we all experience yet often misunderstand, revealing nostalgia’s extraordinary potential to enrich our present―and our future.

Dr. Routledge has been at the forefront of a new wave of research that has established a fresh, evidence-based view of nostalgia―not as a psychological weakness, but as a complex and valuable resource for our well-being. Here he presents a treasury of informed insights and science-based practices to help you turn nostalgia into a powerful ally,

• Understanding nostalgia―what this feeling is and why it’s necessary for a healthy psyche
• Enhancing your sense of self―how nostalgia can help you build confidence and self-esteem
• Deepening connection―the possibilities and pitfalls of nostalgia as a foundation for personal and group relationships
• Coping with stress―invoking the past to face present-day anxieties with clarity and resilience
• Finding purpose―how nostalgic reflection can reveal your most enduring values
• Moving into the future―excavating the past as a source for innovation, creativity, and hope

If we approach nostalgia with awareness and discernment, we can use our cherished memories to help look outside of ourselves, connect with others, and weave a meaningful life story that supports us through difficult times. As Dr. Routledge puts it, “By engaging in nostalgia, we are not moving toward the past. We are bringing the past forward to the present to help us build a more fulfilling future.”

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Psychology, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2023

Reviews

[Tree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered a copy of this book as soon as I learned about it as nostalgia and memory are important themes to me. Overall it confirmed my own ideas which is that nostalgia is not a morose exercise for has-beens wanting to relive their glory days, but a tool that can be used to improve our current lives.
Clay Routledge not only wrote the book but he also designed and implemented many of the psychological tests he writes about. His research lead him to believe that nostalgia has many positive uses and he devotes a chapter to each one, and each chapter includes mental exercises that the reader can use to improve themselves, as well as a helpful summary at the end of every chapter.
Some of the ways nostalgia works in our lives include connecting us to others, bringing meaning to our lives and helping us navigate a quickly changing world.
The author comes across as a kind and intelligent person and I would enjoy reading future works by him.

I would have liked to have read about nostalgia and trauma, but there was nothing devoted to this aspect of the topic. As someone who has faced trauma and abuse as a child, nostalgia can at times be difficult to navigate and I was hoping for something on this particular subject. But, if I had a nickel for every book I’ve read that doesn’t address these issues…

Overall an interesting read written in a friendly tone that anyone can understand, with an overarching view that when in doubt of one’s purpose or meaning in life, turn to the past, indulge in nostalgia, and find how those things that made you feel happy and successful can be used now and in the future.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Past Forward will be published on December 5, 2023. Sounds True Publishing provided an early galley for review.

Nostalgia has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. And as I get older, it becomes a comfortable, warm blanket that I turn to more often. Therefore, the subject matter of this book very much spoke to me.

Routledge has spent considerable time studying this field, and his presentation of the findings comes across in a highly professional/academic manner that is still approachable. I especially appreciated his use of summary notes at the end of each chapter that give a bulletized recap.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting if a bit dry. My takeaway - nostalgia is a very good thing and it helps us humans treat ourselves and others in a more positive way.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay Routledge's "Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life" is a revelatory journey through the corridors of our memories. He has reshaped my understanding of nostalgia -- a powerful tool for forming a richer, more purposeful present and future.

Routledge, a pioneering psychological researcher, unveils the transformative potential of nostalgia, debunking misconceptions and offering a cache of evidence-based insights and practices. Rather than a sentimental retreat into the past, nostalgia emerges guiding us toward a more grounded, connected, and resilient existence.

Routledge melds scholarly rigor with practical wisdom. He dissects nostalgia, revealing its role in fortifying our sense of self, fostering deeper connections, and fortifying our psychological resilience in the face of modern-day stressors. By harnessing the power of cherished memories, I found myself on a path toward discovering enduring values and charting a purposeful life trajectory.

Routledge's composition is informative and transformative. I felt urged to embrace nostalgia not as an escape but as a means to innovate, create, and envision a more fulfilling future. Each chapter is woven with scientific research, anecdotes, and actionable strategies, guiding readers toward a more mindful engagement with their nostalgic reflections.

"Past Forward" offers a roadmap for leveraging nostalgia as a guiding force toward a more resilient and meaningful existence. With Routledge's guidance, you will discover that nostalgia isn't about dwelling in the past; it's about harnessing its essence to craft a brighter, more purposeful tomorrow. This book has aided me to embrace nostalgia as a catalyst for personal growth, connection, and a more fulfilling life.

"A compelling exploration into the transformative power of nostalgia, illuminating its role in shaping a more grounded and purposeful existence."

"Routledge's insightful narrative unveils nostalgia as a guiding compass, leading us toward resilience, deeper connections, and a more enriched life."

"An enlightening journey through the realms of memory, offering a scientific yet heartfelt perspective on using nostalgia as a tool for personal growth and meaning."

"Discover the untapped potential of nostalgia with Routledge's blend of research and practical wisdom, offering a roadmap to a more mindful and connected present."

"In 'Past Forward,' experience nostalgia as a transformative force guiding us to a more fulfilling and hopeful future."

[Elizabeth Hambourger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an article’s worth of information stretched into a book. It is a defense of nostalgia: arguing that nostalgia is a good thing that helps people move forward, rather than holding them back. This is interesting and counterintuitive. I appreciate the bullet point summaries at the end of each chapter, as well as the exercises. But it could’ve been said in far fewer words. I didn’t need to read the details of so many psychological studies. It seemed to me that each chapter was making the same point over and over.

I would have rather seen the pages used for some deeper exploration of nostalgia. I picked up this book because I’ve noticed that I’m less nostalgic than most people, and I’ve wondered why that is and how I might go about developing more nostalgia. This book addressed neither of those questions. It does not explore personal history or personality as factors affecting individuals’ tendency towards nostalgia.

[Maykala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Past Forward is an interesting, science-based book about nostalgia. Dr. Routledge argues that nostalgia is more than being stuck in the past. Instead, nostalgia is beneficial as it is prosocial and helps people move forward, no matter what they are dealing with in their lives.

The author goes through various studies and argues that nostalgia is much more than us reminiscing on the past. Each chapter is broken up well enough that the points come across clearly and are explained well, without being bogged down with academic jargon.

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique take on what nostalgia is and what it does for people. If you find the concept of nostalgia fascinating, this book would be a perfect way to learn about and approach nostalgia in a way you may not have before.

[Aisling Van Dam LaBauve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never really thought about nostalgia in this way. I was interested in the book because I tend to ruminate often on my childhood and have often wondered if escaping to old memories now and again when life becomes difficult is healthy. It seems that it is! It’s nice to know that there are, indeed, benefits, to indulging in a bit of nostalgia. This book was very well researched. The author went into great detail, covering a wide range of angles regarding the subject of nostalgia. The book is a bit dry, being that it’s an academic read, but I feel like I’m walking away from it with a much wider view regarding a subject I never before realized was so nuanced.

[Tommy Schenker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny that, after spending the last few years writing about growing up in the 80s, all of a sudden I stumbled across a book on nostalgia. I'd been thinking about nostalgia a lot lately, mainly because I've had a blast reminiscing. So although I've seen some people dismiss it as being stuck in the past, I never felt like it was being stuck at all. To me it's just good fun. But I never realized how much nostalgia has been studied scientifically. And that it seems to be very beneficial to our health. Overall I thought this was a pretty interesting read about the psychological benefits of remembering some good times.

[Andreea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Past Forward is an interesting take on the often overlooked benefits of nostalgic thought. It gives an ample description, from the beginnings of our understanding of nostalgia as an illness, to the latest research-driven conclusions about its effect on areas such as self-worth, relationships and even tackling fear and difficult situations or illnesses that affect our self-perception.

It reads more like a research paper than a narrative non-fiction, but it did include fascinating new perspectives on nostalgia.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Lisa Davidson]

This book was interesting because it blends sociology, psychology, and philosophy to prove how important nostalgia is. There are numerous studies cited throughout the book that support the author's thesis that nostalgia is important for not just the past but also for building a better future.
Nostalgia is good for us psychologically, for the most part, and there are exercises and summaries in the book to help adapt the information to our own lives.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review

[Veronica M C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure this book would be really interesting to someone who is into science in general or how the mind works in particular. It was somewhat interesting to hear about the research, but I didn't feel like I needed as much detail as was provided or the summary review of each chapter. It was repetitive.

[Gina Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book tying nostalgia to many aspects in our lives (anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc) and in addition how to effectively move forward in our psychological, emotional and physical well being. I think this book would be a great addition to many college classrooms as well as to people in general.

[Michelle Nakagawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually really informative about how nostalgia can affect our daily lives. It also goes in depth into relaying how helpful it can be in helping us to lead more productive lives and feeling better about inevitable progresses we have to deal with as we go about our work and personal journeys.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and very interesting! I loved that Routledge included writing/thought exercises in each chapter. While I didn't do all of them, the ones I did do were fun and really helped me engaged with the material in a meaningful way. They also did prove his claims, even when I thought they wouldn't! An easily digestible explanation of a seldom-explored concept, I happily recommend it.

[Jill Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads has lost my long review. 😢

This was an interesting book that made me reflect on what nostalgia means to me.
As an audiobook it’s a bit repetitive but not enough to skip over anything.
Nostalgia is more prevalent in my feelings than I’d have thought.

[Steve Hanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presents one or two interesting ideas, endlessly repeated, but overall was disappointing. The author is probably a good scientist and researcher but he describes most of his findings with some general and trite platitudes. This was a 2.5 rounded up.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not surprisingly, thinking of good happy memories (nostalgia) is good for you in a variety of ways. This dives into a few specifics.

[Paul Rubio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers great insights, from a scientific researcher's perspective, on the benefits of nostalgia.

[Alex]

I don't know man, I don't think a nostalgic memory of my athletic achievements would help too much. I think it would just draw more attention to the fact that my knees hurt.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

For something that looked like a self-help book at first glance this had a lot of science in it. There are a lot of experiments described here but one gets a feeling there's a lot of confirmation bias going on here and the author is less than objective about nostalgia.