Nostalgia

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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-59847198-7fff-a91f-849a-91b255cf2d40">Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your significant other, friend, or family member! </b></p>

<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">According to the <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/confident-consumers-and-broader-buying-lead-record-valentines-day" title="valentine's day gifts">National Retail Federation</a>, most people spend the most on jewelry on Valentine’s Day, not just cards and candy. While chocolates and flowers are always appreciated, why not switch things up this year with a gift that will bring joy long after the holiday has passed?</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">The gift of reminiscing is the ultimate way to show your love and appreciation for your loved ones. </b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Reminiscing is remembering and reflecting on past events and experiences which have positively impacted our mental and emotional well-being. Whether it's reliving childhood memories, revisiting old memories with a loved one, or simply reflecting on life experiences, reminiscing can bring happiness and nostalgia to our lives.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Here are some top ideas for creating the ultimate gift of reminiscing!</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">1. A Time Capsule</b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">A time capsule represents a particular moment you can <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/sharing-memories-5-unique-ways-you-havent-thought" title="valentine's day gifts">share</a> and look back on in the future. You can fill the time capsule with letters, photographs, medals, and more! Whether buried in the backyard or stored in a safe place, a time capsule is a meaningful and timeless gift that your significant other will cherish for years to come, preserving your love. </b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">2. A Mixtape </b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Remember the days of making mix tapes for your crush? Well, you can bring that tradition back with a modern twist. Compile a playlist of songs that are special to both of you or <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/tapping-memories-music" title="valentine's day gifts">bring back memories</a> of your <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/why-you-prefer-nostalgic-songs-your-teenage-years" title="valentine's day gifts">past</a>. This gift will provide a unique soundtrack for your life together. Science shows how music can <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0305735619888803" title="valentine's day gifts">transport</a> you back to the sights and sounds of events throughout your life.</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">3. A Polaroid Camera</b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">If you're looking for a unique and fun way to capture memories, a polaroid camera is a great choice. These cameras provide instant gratification with a tangible print that can be added to a scrapbook or on the fridge! This is a great way to create a collection of candid and spontaneous moments you <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/how-relive-memory" title="valentine's day gifts">can look back</a> on in the future.</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">4. A Board Game</b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa"><a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/7-fun-ways-connect-family-during-holidays" title="valentine's day gifts">Board games</a> are a classic form of entertainment and can bring back childhood memories. From classics like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Monopoly/s?k=Monopoly" title="valentine's day gifts">Monopoly</a> or new finds like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=settlers+of+catan&amp;crid=L43724YU7PXM&amp;sprefix=settlers+of+ca%2Caps%2C213&amp;ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14" title="valentine's day gifts">Settlers of Catan</a>, board games provide a fun and interactive way to spend time together, allowing you to create new memories and strengthen your bond as a couple.</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">5. A Retro Sweets Box </b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Everyone loves a sweet treat, and a hamper of nostalgic sweets is sure to bring back childhood memories. It could be a jar of boiled sweets, a box of chocolate bars, or candied yams. Research indicates that <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/scent-memory-and-proust-effect" title="valentine's day gifts">scents trigger long-ago memories</a>! Smells that evoke happy autobiographical memories can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039451/" title="valentine's day gifts">increase positive emotions</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039451/" title="valentine's day gifts">diminish negative moods</a>.</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">6. A Movie Night Basket</b></h2>
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<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Creating a movie night basket is a fun and thoughtful way to bring back memories of your past. Fill a basket with your favorite movies, popcorn, sweets, and drinks, providing a fun and relaxed evening to spend together, reminiscing about your past.</b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">7. A Life Stories Book</b></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">With My Stories Matter, you can create a custom <a href="https://book.mystoriesmatter.com/" title="valentine's day gifts">Life Stories Book</a> <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/blog/how-create-memory-book%C2%A0" title="valentine's day gifts">tailored to your relationship</a>, personalizing every aspect, from the cover to the pages. You can include memories from your first date, first trip together, special events, or everyday moments that mean the world to you. </b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa"> According to <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/best-holiday-gifts-and-gifting-stats/" title="valentine's day gifts">polls</a>, 71% of respondents believe that "it's the thought that counts" when it comes to gifting. What says “I’m thinking of you” more than a Life Stories Book tailored specifically for them? </b></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">Reminisce on My Stories Matter</b></h2>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">While there are many modern gifts to choose from, some of the best gifts to give on Valentine's Day bring back memories of the past. These gifts are not just ordinary presents; they are personal and sentimental and evoke happiness, joy, and love. Nostalgic gifts are great to show your loved ones how much you care by returning them to the memories they cherish. </b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-25065853-7fff-0c37-9a70-b938922a67aa">For more ideas on preserving special memories or connecting with a loved one, <a href="https://www.mystoriesmatter.com/" title="valentine's day gifts">sign up for free</a> at My Stories Matter! </b></p>


The Gift of Reminiscing: Your Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift List

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<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-3dbef574-7fff-506d-ad98-4ed5667b30f3">We all have a nostalgic song that transports us to our adolescent days. Maybe Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” reminds you of hapless teenage attempts at an 80s mullet. Perhaps the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” elicits memories of uncoordinated hip gyrations and tight leather pants. Or maybe, Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” induces flashbacks to middle school imitations of the music video’s signature hand-flip. </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-3dbef574-7fff-506d-ad98-4ed5667b30f3">Your early musical memories could be more influential than you think. The songs you listened to during middle and high school may form your music taste for the rest of your life. </b></p>
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<h1 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-41bd6757-7fff-10ef-86cf-c54a3a889d34">Music and Data Science </b></h1>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-41bd6757-7fff-10ef-86cf-c54a3a889d34">Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, who elaborated upon his insights in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/opinion/sunday/favorite-songs.html" title="nostalgia songs">New York Times op-ed</a>, proposed this theory. Having obtained a collection of Spotify data about the listening habits of men and women by age group, Davidowitz analyzed the frequency at which each group listened to a particular song. </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-41bd6757-7fff-10ef-86cf-c54a3a889d34"> Surprisingly, the information from Spotify showed clear musical taste delineation by birth year. Specifically, the data showed that people were far more likely to continuously listen to popular nostalgic songs during adolescence. For example, 38-year-old men proved far more likely to enjoy “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk" title="nostalgia songs">Creep</a>” by Radiohead than any other age group (the song came out in 1993 when these men were 14). Such patterns persisted for countless artists and songs—if you listened to a lot of Linda Ronstadt in your youth, chances are you still think “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZPPBJC8Ic" title="nostalgia songs">You’re No Good</a>” is...pretty good. </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-41bd6757-7fff-10ef-86cf-c54a3a889d34"> Furthermore, the analysis narrowed down the specific 3-year window that profoundly affected music taste. Boys, Davidowitz claims, form the majority of their music taste between the ages of 13 and 16. For girls, this period is earlier, with music taste formation falling between 11 and 14. The difference, Davidowitz proposes, could result from the difference in biological development by gender—girls <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613238/" title="nostalgia songs">go through puberty earlier</a> and mature faster than boys do. This hypothesis would make logical sense through research that shows <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201312/scientists-identify-why-girls-often-mature-faster-boys" title="nostaglia songs">puberty’s effect on re-shaping neural connections</a>—our music tastes are wired into our brains. </b></p>
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<h1 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2">Music and Me</b></h1>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2">Though COVID-19 has temporarily paused live concerts, I fondly remember my 2019 trip to see Paul McCartney perform in San Jose. In addition to the concert ticket, I attended an hour’s exclusive pre-concert rehearsal. I was thrilled by the opportunity to see McCartney “unfiltered,” his jangling notes resonating among an intimate audience of about 75 super-fans. </b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2">McCartney has a vast catalog of Beatles, Wings, and solo songs that even a typical 3-hour concert still leaves him with a surfeit of unplayed hits. However, in support of Davidowitz’s point, McCartney proved he isn’t immune to the effects of nostalgia. For the soundcheck, he chose to play several cover songs. His choice of borrowed material—including Carl Perkins’ “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm5HKlQ6nGM" title="nostalgia songs">Blue Suede Shoes</a>” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-M-mr-0wSw" title="nostalgia songs">Honey Don’t</a>,” Buddy Holly’s “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-M-mr-0wSw" title="nostalgia songs">It’s So Easy</a>,” and Jesse Fuller’s “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBME_J0pf3o" title="nostalgia songs">San Francisco Bay Blues</a>”—featured nostalgic songs that were released during his formative teenage years. </b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2">The release dates of those four cover songs couldn’t more perfectly coordinate with the New York Times’s findings. The four songs formed a chronological progression of the development of McCartney’s musical taste, from the animated, sensual notes of Carl Perkins to the playful, blues-influenced sounds of Buddy Holly. Though McCartney’s song choice could attribute to his sentimentality for the past, the precise relationship between the age range proposed by Davidowitz and the songs’ release date is unlikely to be coincidental. “Blue Suede Shoes” and “San Francisco Bay Blues” were released when McCartney was 13, “Honey Don’t” when he was 14, and “It’s So Easy” when he was 16.</b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2">I mused about my sentimental connection with Paul McCartney’s music at the night's end. I was 15 when the Beatles broke up. Perhaps, I am nostalgic for the years in which I had few responsibilities and unlimited time. Or maybe, my adolescent brain was subconsciously shaped by the ubiquitous music of the Beatles. In either case, my love for the Beatles has stayed with me throughout my life. Of course, depending on your age, your taste in music, and which songs you find nostalgic may be different!</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-700447ba-7fff-f3bc-89b0-645b63fb4ee2"><a href="https://mystoriesmatter.com/" title="nostalgia songs">My Stories Matter</a> has Spotify playlists that help you remember nostalgic songs from each decade. <a href="https://mystoriesmatter.com/" title="nostalgia songs">Sign up</a> today for free and bask in the nostalgia!</b></p>


Your adolescence may be more influential to your music taste than you think

Why You Prefer Nostalgic Songs From Your Teenage Years

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<p> </p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-fc82c0b8-7fff-8d37-d087-732e47ad9bfe">There’s no better feeling than reminiscing about life in the good ole days. You know, before mobile phones, the internet, and microwaves. When there were no text messages to interrupt your day, no instant “likes” to make you feel good, and no 2-day shipping with a 100% return and refund policy.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-fc82c0b8-7fff-8d37-d087-732e47ad9bfe">We are told we live in the safest and healthiest time in human history — so Harvard Psychology Professor Steven Pinker tells us. The “good old days” were less secure and beneficial than we may assume while fondly reminiscing about life in the past.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-fc82c0b8-7fff-8d37-d087-732e47ad9bfe">Yet researchers know that when we reminisce about life, our memories — and the feelings and emotions they evoke — tend to skew positive.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-fc82c0b8-7fff-8d37-d087-732e47ad9bfe">If life was objectively more difficult in the past, why does our reminiscing tend to do this? Why do we view our history through the rose-colored lens?</b></p>
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    <img class="media-element file-default" data-delta="2" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://cueback-com.storage.googleapis.com/cueback/blog_editor_media/scale-2635397_640_0.jpg?GoogleAccessId=298180869348-compute@developer.gserviceaccount.com&amp;Expires=1699038438&amp;Signature=jZG5lk9j%2FJhk6rvPm2xq5hURbru9I0O%2FWXdjGONIeB%2BCd2Jz2z6nJRpbe1oH3bOTXyx00HDiO83ax52rp19PJpT1xa%2F3XpBSUykzAzo194WwlUYk5BZkNPP9tGtIA69c3Vou%2FEbpUI9TW8ZeiKNutcUCSt9YDnh%2F%2FhNnv4siT7trNzd8g1U3pT%2F0hJ6Bx4z9I23qtz4VSJI3MKMh%2BDWm1Zg2gfAtXZcQCGX1SRobBYRNAAwxyLeDDL9uVVkKLF4NWt%2B%2BofwhYvCCkc3IWJ6YC8p9rc2VO3Ce5s3nNb7f7XYqlWqdTlOPp9hd4ctshalINI7z2RQVjuZUyq28eHkJEw%3D%3D" width="640" height="355" alt="When reminiscing about life, good memories outweigh the bad" />  </div>

  
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<p> </p>

<h1 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">Good Feelings Outweigh the Bad</b></h1>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">Negative feelings from our memories diminish faster than positive ones. This is known as the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fading_affect_bias#:~:text=The%20fading%20affect%20bias%2C%20more,those%20associated%20with%20positive%20emotions." title="nostaglia goggles ">fading affect bias</a>."</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">In a study published in the Review of General Psychology, participants recorded memories and rated how they felt about each memory. Three weeks later, participants rated their feelings for those memories. The study shows that we leave more positive feelings overall for our aggregated memories. Negative emotions related to bad memories tended to diminish faster than positive feelings related to good memories.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">So, why does this happen? Is it because we distort our life events to be more positive when we experience them?</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">Probably not. In another study, participants recorded events in their life as they occurred and how they felt about them — a diary. At the events, negative feelings were just as strong as positive ones.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-393053c1-7fff-f862-423b-3999e34c3d4a">After some time (3.5 months, one year, and 4.5 years), the participants re-rated how they felt about the life events. As in the previous study, the intensity of negative feelings around bad events faded significantly faster than positive feelings for suitable events. This suggests that your brain prioritizes positive emotions when reminiscing about life.</b></p>
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<h1 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">More Good Memories Than Bad Memories?</b></h1>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Participants recalled childhood memories in a study published in Psychological Monographs: General and Applied. They then rated their memories as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. People reported 50% pleasant memories, 30% unpleasant, and 20% neutral.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Another study re-created this research using a sensory deprivation tank to ensure nothing in the room somehow influenced people's positive emotions. The responses changed. Now participants reported 66% pleasant memories and 33% unpleasant ones. Of the 20% neutral memories, virtually all became positive.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Interestingly, even for memories that we recall involuntarily — those that randomly pop into our minds throughout the day (<a href="https://mystoriesmatter.com/preserve-memory" title="nostaglia ">what we call “MindPops™”</a>) — positive recollections outnumber negative ones. The data showed that 49% of these involuntarily recalled memories were pleasant, while only 19% were unpleasant.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Not only do we have more positive memories than negative ones, but the bad feelings from our negative memories also dissipate faster, leaving us with happier feelings for our memories overall.</b></p>
<h1 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">What does all this mean for you?</b></h1>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">It means that when you're reminiscing about life, you are far more likely to recollect something positive and feel positive. Over time, your perspective of past events will become more positive.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Furthermore, reminiscing about life in the past is good for your health. A sense of nostalgia can <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-53195-3_5" title="nostaglia ">increase psychological resilience</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29430666/" title="nostaglia ">improve relationships</a>, and <a href="https://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/articles/2018-12-26/how-nostalgia-can-be-good-for-your-health-and-well-being" title="nostaglia ">boost mood and self-esteem</a>, thereby helping to enhance your overall emotional and psychological well-being.</b></p>
<p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4">Want to harness your memories as a means to greater well-being? Visit <a href="https://mystoriesmatter.com/" title="nostaglia ">My Stories Matter</a> to start recording your memories for free!</b></p>
<p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1bd36ca2-7fff-9142-100c-3a59b4f375a4"> To learn more about the positive feelings associated with reminiscing, check out this article: <a href="https://mystoriesmatter.com/blog/why-you-get-happier-you-age" title="nostaglia ">Why You Get Happier as You Age</a>.</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Studies Referenced</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Cason, H. (1932). The learning and retention of pleasant and unpleasant activities. Archives of Psychology, 134, 1–96.</li>
<li>Conway, M., &amp; Ross, M. (1984). Getting what you want by revising what you had. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47, 738–748.</li>
<li>Holmes, D. S. (1970). Differential changes in affective intensity and the forgetting of unpleasant personal experiences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3, 234–239.</li>
<li>Matlin, M. W., &amp; Stang, D. J. (1978). The Pollyanna principle. Cambridge, MA: Schenkman.</li>
<li>Robinson, J. A. (1980). Affect and retrieval of personal memories. Motivation and Emotion, 4, 149–174.</li>
<li>Ross, M. (1997). Validating memories. In N. K. Stein, P. A. Ornstein, B. Tversky, &amp; C. Brainerd (Eds.), Memory for everyday and emotional events (pp. 49–81). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.</li>
<li>Suedfeld, P., &amp; Eich, E. (1995). Autobiographical memory and affect under conditions of reduced environmental stimulation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 321–326.</li>
<li>Thompson, C. P., Skowronski, J. J., Larsen, S., &amp; Betz, A. (1996). Autobiographical memory: Remembering what and remembering when. New York: Erlbaum.</li>
<li>Waldfogel, S. (1948). The frequency and affective character of childhood memories. Psychological Monographs, 62 (Whole №291).</li>
<li>Walker, W.R., Skowronski, J. J., &amp; Thompson, C. P. (2003). Life Is Pleasant — and Memory Helps to Keep It That Way!. Review of General Psychology Vol. 7, №2, 203–210.</li>
<li>Walker, W. R., Vogl, R. J., &amp; Thompson, C. P. (1997). Autobiographical memory: Unpleasantness fades faster than pleasantness over time. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 11, 399–413.</li>
<li>D. T., &amp; Axsom, D. (2000). Focalism: A source of durability bias in affective forecasting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 821–836.</li>
</ul>


Nostalgia

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