As the leaves begin to change and the first frost of the season freezes over, an odd yet familiar feeling starts to creep in. The fall and winter seasons for most are more than just months on the calendar, but an open gateway to nostalgic memories.
The time when memories seem more vivid and emotions tied to family, childhood, tradition, and joyful memories resurface. Nostalgia is an often confusing yet bittersweet feeling of emotions that usually resurfaces during a certain moment that reminds one of a significant time in life.
For several people, the transition from fall to winter inflicts these feelings and brings back old memories that can not be restored. The scents of fall, the sight of the bare trees, the taste of pumpkin and peppermint, and so much more that ties into these seasons. All of these stimuli have the power to transport a person back to earlier times and “feel good” moments. Most flashback to childhood memories that feel safe and secure, or good times with friends.
“I feel like the fall and winter semester is always the most memorable time of school, especially with all the holidays and family coming in,” Callum Coffey said.
The holidays within this season spark tons of old memories for individuals. From dressing up with friends for Halloween to gathering with family at Thanksgiving and Christmas. These holidays bring tons of joy and laughter that plants deeply rooted memories into the minds and brings a person back later on.
The sense of slowing down is another common thread in the association of this nostalgic time. The hustle of summer vacations, outdoor activities, and the long sunny days that feel like they will never end eventually come to a close. Tank tops start to turn into t-shirts and eventually jackets, and the sunny long days become short cold nights.
For many, autumn also brings annual traditions that create these long-lasting memories. Things like Hayrides, Pumpkin patch trips, Halloween costumes, thanksgiving dinners, and gift-giving and receiving. All of these things create long-lasting memories to look back on and reminisce.
“I like the small traditions that come with the season, like carving pumpkins with my boyfriend and spending time with distant family.” London Peterson said.
While fall is a season of “coming down from a high” and preparation, winter is a season of deep reflection and stillness. The world seems to slow down as the grass and mountains get covered with a blanket of snow and the sun shines a little less, drawing people more toward the indoors.
Winter is usually so deeply intertwined with nostalgia because of the holiday celebrations. Occasions like Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more are a time of families being brought together and even reconnected. Family members that only meet up a couple of times a year or even a few times every couple of years. Holidays are a time when these people gather and celebrate, which is what brings such nostalgia later on.
“Christmas is usually when I see all of my siblings because they are moved out, and it just all feels super cozy in a sense,” Coffey said.
Winter’s sensory triggers are a power in awakening nostalgia and creating. The smells like peppermint, and pine, the sounds of caroling, and the taste of gingerbread bring people back to a time of comfort and joy. Childhood traditions and memories tend to resurface year after year of familial bonds and shared memories.
While nostalgia provides mostly good memories and feelings, it can also provide things that we have learned from. Some not-so-good memories can resurface during this time, too. Feelings of betrayal and hurt come up with these nostalgic memories and take us back to a time of less joy. While this is not the case for everyone, a lot of people feel the deeper, more depressing side of nostalgia during these months and while some may be happy, it is not always promised. These months bring back all kinds of memories and moments in our lives that have stuck with us for years and will continue to stay throughout our lives.
I always get a heavy sense of nostalgia during this time. The months ending in Ember are typically some of my best and worst times throughout the year. Simple things like smelling a scent I would wear in the fall and winter, or seeing a certain show or movie I watch during this time always brings me back. Traditions like carving pumpkins, making gingerbread houses, or rewatching the Twilight series with my mom always bring back all kinds of memories throughout the seasons.