What It Feels Like to Stare at Your Old Self


Quote of the day: 

One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. Photos are a great memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good. 
-Gretchen Rubin 


First it was baby pictures, what your folks took pride in snapping, with copies printed and kept in family albums and not to forget framing some to keep around the house. And of course video capture too. There you are without a care in the world, getting picked up and pampered by different people. You were innocent and defenseless -and like all babies you were most likely dressed  in trendy clothes that look hilarious now (And yes there's nothing wrong in laughing at yourself, go on). Growing up you either liked being photographed or you didn't. "How about a photograph?" your folks would ask during certain occasions. You were already approaching adolescence and imagined what it would feel like to not have to take photos with relatives you hardly talked to, or so called family friends who were no friend of yours. There was no middle ground whatsoever. And on and on it goes. You discover later on that taking photos wasn't so bad. You embrace it. You capture moments spent with friends or with nature on your camera. And with your phone, the world became a stage with you being the director recording different scenes and acts...

Sounds familiar?

Looking at old photos of yourself can be quite uplifting. There you are in some timeless pose, and with a certain look in your eyes -and not to forget your sense of style which looking at may either amuse you (what were you thinking?), or make you laugh out loud. But there is a middle ground somewhere at least, for those whose old photos look great and decent enough not to elicit laughter, only pride and nostalgic tendencies.

They say sense of smell is closely linked with memory. Well looking at old photos of yourself may unveil a thousand memories. Each unlocked memory linked to a place and time. I'd say revisit the good old photos that bring smiles to your face, that transports you back in time across the years. I say good because you may have old photos of yourself that you dislike. But to see how far you've come in life, sometimes its happiness to revisit the early days.

So when was the last time you went through old photo albums of yourself? Did you have a good laugh? Do share your experience.



Peace. Love. Light* 




Current Listen: Gold Panda -You

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21 Comments

  1. I do occasionally go through old photos. My partner never does but is interested when I show them.

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  2. One of my best friends had a little get-together at his place this evening. I people always obsess on how he and I could be friends. My friend has a pic of me and him and a few of our other friends, on his bookshelf. I looked awful in that pic, but its the only one he has of us from over 25 yrs ago. I thought I looked good then, LOL. Great times we had, back then. He likes to show the pic, to show how long we've been friends, and to see how we changed. Great post!

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  3. I also collect pictures from the past.
    Great thoughts!

    www.thrill-hunter.blogspot.com

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  4. "One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. Photos are a great memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good.
    -Gretchen Rubin"

    Great words here ...

    I always enjoy looking at old and new photo's - they form moments of our life that we can go on sharing, and remembering ...

    All the best Jan

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  5. I'm not one for going through old photos. The very thought of doing it makes me feel suddenly old.

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  6. I just put together a video for my daughter for her birthday, and it was truly fun to see her growing up in these photos.

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  7. I just try to live for now, in the present! Valerie

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  8. Really interesting post...thx for sharing! xx

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  9. People have to get to a certain age before they appreciate their childhood photos. Good point.

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  10. It is fun to look through old photos as they captured a piece of ourselves in another world or stage of life.

    peace, love and light

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  11. Most of my "Happy" memories tend to have ended badly in the end... So many "losses" over the years...
    we have been attempting to put ourself into our old "mind-set" maybe we would be Happier
    ... a great weekend to you and yours, good Sir

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  12. No videos for us - the average family in Germany simply didn't own a video camera when I was little. But there are plenty of photos of every stage of my life, and although I have my firm favourites, I don't look at them all that often.
    I never minded having my picture taken, and when I started taking my own (as for the "Fashion posts" on my blog), I discovered a whole new way of creative expression. Most of these portraits never make it to my blog, as they are too personal and not meant for a large audience. But I find it good fun and a creative outlet.

    As for our sense of smell being a trigger for memories, that is certainly true! I don't know whether I've mentioned it before, but I have written about that topic some years ago. If you are interested, you can read it here.

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  13. Thanks a lot, dear :D

    Great an inspiring quote. I'm tolttaly agree eith your thoughts!


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  14. Lately I've been enjoying giving photos back to friends and family members as I try to cull down my collection. However, there are times when the photos make me sad for things that did not work out, etc.

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  15. I enjoy looking through old photos. My kids do, too. They bring back a lot of memories.

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  16. Being blue 24/7, looking at pictures makes me forget about the present. A timeless pose... I like that. :)

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  17. Over the years, there are certainly some moments that were etched deeply inside our memory.
    Pictures can prompt, songs do the same.

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  18. Well written post, worth reading. Thanks for sharing))

    http://fairyland111.blogspot.com/

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  19. I love old family photos, especially the ones that take me back to that exact moment or place..such as my grandma's kitchen. I am a genealogy nut, so this is right up my alley. Have a super weekend!

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  20. I stumbled upon some old pics the other day actually.. and then I spent an hour looking at more.
    I also like to take videos and make small movies - especially when we visit places or there's a special event. I love the feeling of looking at old pics and videos, it's the best :)

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  21. I am not sure if I agree with the quote... I do actually not think that its the best thing to think of happy times from the past to be happy now. It will rather make you feel melancholic I think. I think it is much better to be grateful for what you have right now to be happy right now :)
    Have a great week dear : )
    Xx
    Larissa
    cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de

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