Life

What makes you feel nostalgic?

I now understand why older people look back, it’s because this world hasn’t improved since the day I was born, which is actually an inaccurate statement.

Balance

Yes there have been improvements in things like medicine, but not in the medical profession demanding that harmful food ingredients, antibiotics, etc., are removed from the food chain. In other words removing many causes of ill health.

The government has shown no improvement. Not cutting their costs, not solving problems, not protecting the vulnerable. In fact even though I sound negative straight out of the gate, I do wonder how many people in how many countries feel the same about that one?

There have been improvements in emissions from cars and clean power, so how come we’re still not Carbon Neutral? Nuclear power is clean, so far safe thank God, and one day those spent fuel rods could help power nuclear fusion. I know they’ve been working on that idea for years. They’ve only just learned how to control the explosions of power 🤣. Saw it on the news last year.

I could go on as realistically some things are better, except that the condemned house that was my beloved first home was a palace compared to our social housing nowadays.

Nostalgia for simple happiness

That’s what I miss.

Small shops, chatting with shopkeepers who knew your name. No cars, walking everywhere. Jobs not far from home, which would have kept vehicle pollution to a minimum.

Playing in the street. No money so joyously happy if you had a few marbles, or a bike! My parents couldn’t afford to buy me a bike, a friend of dad’s gave him an old bike frame. Dad asked would I mind if he had it ‘done up’ for me. I said no.

It was the most beautiful bike, looked brand new, but most importantly it represented what my dad would do to get me a bike. I loved it. I wish I hadn’t abandoned it when I went into high heels because I loved riding it. Growing up is not altogether to be recommended.

I haven’t had a bike that comfortable since.

Also the sheer lack of violence on our streets. The innocence. The sense of community. The fresh air, the going out and meeting people, cheap cinema tickets, friends, streets that I knew.

No fancy clothes that needed updating to today’s look, no money for make up, just a bit of lippy. No fancy hairstyles, just a good brush.

Life was simple, unfussy, we didn’t have the money for clutter. Cleaning was easy, almost nothing to move. Broom and dustpan, beat the carpets once a week. Day trips to the seaside, no packing, the dog could come or the cat could stay at home.

No computers. Life was way more efficient.

There is so much more that becomes more important in its absence every day, but I’m sure many older people look back on their past with gratitude.

What scares me is that young people of today may one day feel the same. I hope that you’re the opposite, saying how much better life is now, more inclusive, integrated, loving, and peaceful. I truly do.

However, I don’t care what anyone says; the sun was brighter, the skies were bluer, the rain was softer, the air was cleaner. I haven’t smelt a spring day in two decades.

But that might really be my rose tinted spectacles. Except for the clean air smell in spring, and after a summer downpour. Those I know are missing.

Best love

Deb xx