Project
Narrate an Experience That Took You on a Nostalgic Ride to Your Childhood.
Childhood Nostalgia
Nostalgia. Such a simple word for something that causes us to feel many emotions. Listening
to a certain song may make us feel sad and long for past times while watching some TV shows
make you feel like a kid again. Countless studies have been conducted to understand the
concept of nostalgia and to understand why it causes us to feel the way we do. Even though
we all experience nostalgia on more than one occasion in our lifetime, it’s not uncommon for
people to go through their lives feeling different types of nostalgia without knowing there’s a
word to describe this feeling. There are many different definitions for the word nostalgia but
the most basic and common is a feeling of longing for the past.
Childhood memories never quickly disappear. Childhood memories are very important in our
lives. It makes us remember the best times of our lives. They shape our thinking and future. My
first day at school was a completely new experience for me. It is because the atmosphere
completely changes for any child. On my first day, I got up excited and put on my uniform for
the first time. The feeling it gave me was so memorable, I can never forget it. As it was my first
day, both my parents went to drop me off. I remember seeing the classroom full of little
children. Some crying while the others playing with others. I looked at my mother and gave her
the look that I didn’t want them to leave. They had to go so I kept crying but eventually, my
teacher consoled me. The school had a two-storied building with nine rooms and had a green
lawn in the front. I was taken to my class, where other students were sitting. It was a big
classroom with a window and sixteen benches. I sat beside a boy who later became my best
friend. Our class teacher Mrs. Piyali Bose was amiable and taught us the alphabet. It was a
beautiful experience as I made new friends and played with them.
Our class teacher introduced us to other teachers, and we were asked to introduce
ourselves. Teachers made us sit alphabetically. Luckily my friend’s name also started with A,
like me, so we sat together. We played fun Pictionary games. We were asked to perform our
hobbies and were given toffees. It was amazing to meet my best friend, who shared the
same hobby, dancing with me. During our lunchtime, the cafeteria was filled with the energy
of students. At lunchtime, I made many new friends and was no longer a stranger. After
having delicious food and chit-chatting with friends, we get back to our respective
classrooms.
Our childhood holds a special place in our hearts — our innocence, happiness and curiosity
reminding us of life’s true wonders. During this magical period, our friendship plays an
integral role in shaping our experiences and creating memories that last a lifetime. I was
fortunate enough to have a childhood friends with whom I shared countless adventures and
unforgettable moments that have stayed with me till this day. My childhood friends were
outgoing and considered new challenges an adventure. My friends as a child were
troublemakers, we always created a hectic environment wherever we went. Since my friends
and I shared numerous qualities, enjoyed the same games, and enjoyed living life, we began
forming an inseparable bond. One of my fondest memories with my childhood friends
revolves around a mango tree. One memory saved in the back of my head, playing every
time when I see a mango or mango tree. At the time, I was a ten-year-old boy. I loved
mangoes. When the season for mangoes would come, every child in our locality would have
a mango in their hand. I, of course, would be one of them. Even though my family had our
own mango tree, my childhood friends and I would steal mangoes from our neighbour’s tree
because there were too many of us and only one mango tree. I remember one of my friend
was, tall and slender, climbing my neighbour’s wall to the roof and picking mangoes and
throwing it back to us. We would laugh and play, but when our parents would ask where we
got so many mangoes from, we would get in big trouble. Then we had to apologise our
neighbour, who was a very nice man, that we did not steal anymore. I remember very fondly
the games we used to play. Especially, in the afternoon, we used to go out in the park with our
sports equipment. Each day we played different games, for example, football on one day and
cricket on the other. These memories of playing in the park are very dear to me. We had a
fabulous time there. Moreover, we even invented our own handshake which only both of us
knew. Through this bond, I learned that family doesn’t end with blood because my childhood
friend was no less than my family. Friendship is one relationship that you choose, unlike all other
relationships. In short, the bond I share with my childhood friend is one of my most prized
possessions. Both of us inspired each other to become better humans. We pushed each other
to do our best and we are always there in need. A childhood friend is indeed a precious gem and
I am fortunate to have found that gem of my life. Our Childhood is characterized by simplicity
and a lack of overthinking. Nostalgia for one’s childhood often prompts adults to seek
experiences that evoke cherished memories of youth.
My Nostalgic Experience
Few days ago when I went to one of my long distance relative house hearing a sad news. I
saw a kid of 10 years old was crying because he lost his grandfather. This remind me of my
childhood. When I was 10 years old, we received news of our grandfather being gravely ill. I
along with my mother set out for my mother’s hometown to pay our final visit to grandpa. It
must have been the most unfortunate of moments when we arrived there to hear that he’d
passed away in the morning. My mother didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, nor did I. As I
watched him lying on his deathbed, the man I admire the most, shrunken to a mere skeletal,
I imagined it was with kindness that death came upon him. That was my first experience
with losing someone dear to me, it was a first tragic incident. He was an incredible grandfather.
He was always happy to see me, laughed at all my quirkiness, and was such a gentle, kind,
and loving person. This incident made me feel nostalgic about my childhood. My grandfather
died 15 years ago and I still cry about him being gone. I miss him so much. Grief is like the
ocean sometimes rough sometimes calm. I will never ‘get over’ my grandfather’s death, we
were soulmates, I just talk to him spirit and feel him love from beyond. Nostalgia, a complex
emotion, is often experienced as a sentimental longing for the past. It's a mix of both sweet
and sorrowful feelings, triggered by memories, scents, sounds, or traditions, especially
during significant times. Nostalgia brings about feelings of grief or loss, it can contribute to
feelings of loneliness or depression.
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE is a soul-nourishing experience. It is a time that you spend
thinking about and remembering the past or going to a place again in order to remind
yourself of past experiences. Too often we look back at the way people lived and evaluate
the past in terms of the technology that dominates our lives today.
It’s easy to look back at that time and think about all the fun festivities that were going on.
There have been a few times in my life when I’ve experienced a sort of panic in a specific
moment.
Childhood is a magical time filled with innocence and wonder, and the memories we make
during those years stay with us for a lifetime. For me, one of my favourite childhood
memories is the summer I spent with my grandparents on their farm. It was a time of
endless sunshine, laughter, and adventures that I will always treasure.
I had an amazing opportunity to visit my good old school last winter. I have a knack for going
back to my childhood memories every now and then. So one fine morning, I walked into the
visitor’s entrance at the main school entrance gate and received my visitor’s pass for the
day. It was odd because as a student, I never entered through the gate with a pass, so this
was all new to me. I was expecting a sudden rush of memories to cloud my consciousness,
but nothing happened because it wasn’t a familiar process. However, I did recognise the
junior school building and thanks to one of my teachers, the security guard let me in. She
(the teacher) recognised me well, although I have no idea why, I wasn’t exactly known for
causing trouble during my time there. I walked down the hallway, past the principle’s office,
a familiar sight, and found myself in the main hallway that encircled the courtyard. I
continued walking towards the staff room, where I sat and observed everything around me. I
used to visit this place quite often during my classes, to meet my favourite teacher(s) or
disturb them in the middle of breaks for no reason. sat there for a while and I bounced
around from the staff room to classrooms around the school. It was an amazing feeling- the
school had changed a lot. The old buildings had been re-constructed, the basket ball field
was being renovated, the old wooden hallway that once used to be our gossip zone was no
longer wooden. It was cemented and cut off from the main building. I walked from my
classrooms to corridors. From the senior school hall to the main school exit gate. The feeling
is beyond words to express. As I walked out of the school gate that day, I realised that I can
sum up my visit in these three simple lines- people say school is about getting an education
and getting into a good college to succeed in life. Well, to me, school is about making
memories and good times that will last forever.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PAST AND A PRESENT DAYS
There is a lot of difference between the past and a present days. When we were kids we
were crazy about playing “Household” “Teacher-teacher” . We used to play this in noon and
in evening we played kho-kho, racing, Dodge ball, carrom, hide and seek, cricket, chain-
chain, and so many other games with boys too.
Now-a-days, kids have forgotten these games, and play some weird games made by
themselves. And they don't even play altogether. Girls play different games and boys play
differently. We had fun playing in sand and our mothers didn't even stop us. Now, mothers
are all over their children, “don't do this or don't do that”
We all know childhood in the present is different from the past because of developed
society. In the past, children lived in a world without electronic devices which are almost
used for working. They usually spent time to playing traditional games outside with friends
or neighbours and didn't worry so much about the homework. It's extremely helpful to
develop their healthy physical and teamwork skill. When they grew up, they might smile
while thinking about their funny and memorable childhood.
Nowadays, children access on the internet earlier and easier than the children in the past.
It's one of the best way to learn and explore new things around the world outside of
knowledge from the school. Moreover, there are many choices for entertainment because of
developed technology and modern facilities so that children are able to play alone all day
with an IPad, a computer or a smart phone.
In conclusion, the past childhood is good but not enough. Kids need more modern facilities
and caring of parents to grow up healthy and balance.
As the culture changed, especially with new technologies, families adapted and childhood
changed. Children’s lives today are much different than our pioneer ancestors.
Now, I realise everything that is surrounding me has totally changed, the people, the
relationships, the feelings, the appearances, the maturity levels etc. etc., but the only thing
that has not changed are my memories--with lots of pleasant feelings and wonderful
recollections.