Bitten by the Bug of Yesteryear (Issue #46)
Today’s theme is nostalgia – the reboots, throwbacks, and sentimental memories that keep us attached to days gone by.
Hi friends!
It’s no secret that I have a close and intimate relationship with nostalgia. After all, the newsletter you’re reading is loudly and proudly inspired by the media of my youth. But I’m not the only one stuck on the aesthetics of late ‘90s and early-2000’s media and culture. The trend is nostalgia.
Enter The Curious Return of 2000s Music, a recent episode of
. It’s a brilliant deep dive (which, tbh, I wouldn’t expect anything less from ) on the omnipresence of early-2000’s music throughout social media and modern pop culture.And this trend (especially among Gen Alpha) is one I’ve observed myself, through the stories my husband Andrew tells me about his 5th-grade students (a recent fave was about a band of 10-year-old girls loudly singing some 90’s Mariah Carey on the playground). I’m eighteen years these kids’ senior, and here they are singing the same songs that I loved at their age. It feels like a time loop. Kids now experience a childhood in some ways not unlike my own, the media recycling itself decades later. And just like Carrie Bradshaw, I couldn’t help but wonder – Where are these kids finding these references? And why do they love it so much???
And to answer that question, I needed to get to the bottom of nostalgia itself. Which, admittedly, seems strange when the kids driving some of these trends haven’t been alive long enough to even remember their origin. Can you have nostalgia for memories and cultural moments that weren’t even yours to begin with? I think so? An exploration for another time.
It’s the history of nostalgia that I find especially striking. As Theara Coleman writes for The Week, nostalgia was originally believed to be a brain disease. In the 1600’s, a Swiss medical student wanted a term to describe the intense homesickness felt by European soldiers. It was a feeling that brought with it extreme anxiety and a multitude of physical symptoms. Back then nostalgia wasn’t the kind of thing you pined for.
But centuries have passed, and in more recent decades, research points to the benefits of nostalgia. Studies show that nostalgia can make us happier, elevate our self-esteem, connect us, and even help us find meaning. But when this longing for a romanticized version of the past dominates our media cycle, what impact does that have on creativity? Can anything be new or original in a world obsessed with the referential?
I don’t have the answers, but appreciated Justine Doiron’s take, as she wonders if modern life deprives us of the time and privacy required to foster true originality:
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
But whether nostalgia is holding us back or bringing us forward, I can’t lie – I want more of it. So today, enjoy a roundup of sentimental recommendations!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
MPRNews: Gen Z is suddenly obsessed with Snoopy — and not just because he's cute by Rachel Treisman
I’ve definitely seen Snoopy reaching icon status among Gen Zers on TikTok, and I loved this article’s deep dive of the trend. Throughout the investigation, Treisman leaves no stone unturned— it’s a really great examination of an unlikely resurgence.
Hulu and Disney+: Rewind the ‘90s
While this whole series is a great examination of 90’s media and culture, I especially loved the first episode, titled “The Reality Revolution.” Starting with the rise of America’s Funniest Home Videos, the episode tracks the early days of reality television. My family looooved AFV growing up, and it’s actually still going strong and happens to be one of the longest-running primetime entertainment shows on television. The episode credits the rise of the camcorder as a major turning point during this decade, and highlights the ways AFV and other reality TV began a revolutionary trend of documenting normal people in their daily lives. And that impact continues today, all the way to the rise of TikTok and modern social media entertainment. Check it out!
BET+: First Wives Club (remake, available on Netflix)
I randomly started this show and fell in love quickly. I feel like it’s Insecure meets Sex and the City, and it’s so fun to watch! I only recently discovered that it’s a reboot and television adaptation of a 1996 movie, but this time with an all-Black cast. It centers on three best friends, all of whom are navigating through their own life changes, career mishaps, and love stories. I feel like I haven’t heard nearly enough people talk about this show for how good it is!
Questions for you + your besties <3
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
Whose iconic performance of Star Spangled Banner would you rather have been able to see live – Whitney Houston’s incredible rendition at The Super Bowl or Fergie’s frequently-meme’d version at the NBA All-Star Game?
Would you rather live in the house from That’s So Raven or the house from Full House?
Would you rather have a talking Barbie doll like in Life Size, or a talking house like in Smart House?
Would you rather all your clothes be rubber, stiff, and unbreathable like Polly Pockets, or have to step on a Lego first thing every morning?
And ending with an absolute classic – *Coke or Pepsi?
Things to try + share in the group chat.
I originally found @hanauchocolat’s TikTok from their Notes on Romanticising This Weekend series. For this issue, I especially want to highlight their video How to get your s**t together (2000s Chick Flick Version), which is a great concept paired with fun and useful tips.
My life could use more nostalgia, so when I came across this playlist (aptly named “you’re a single mom in the 90s cleaning her house”) I was SOLD.
I’m so enamored with this video, in which Casey Lewis walks through an old Seventeen Magazine feature highlighting the best-dressed teens of 2005. These fits are such a throwback, and I seriously couldn’t get enough!
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Want more recommendations? Make sure to check out Monday’s bonus issue for 10 more great pieces of media to get you through your weekend.
See you Monday!
Want to stay connected between now and next Friday? Don’t be a stranger!! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Know someone who you think would like Sincerely, Celisia? It would mean the world if you could help spread the word by sharing this newsletter through the button below!! <3