Get Out of the Rut of Creativity and Immerse Yourself in Nostalgia
Nostalgia can make you feel lost in the past, but it can also be a secret weapon to fuel your creativity. If you feel like you’re stuck in a creative rut, a tour of memory lane can open your mind to new ideas.
A recent study by Weinand van Tilburg of the University of Southampton and published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology suggests that moments of deep nostalgia allow our minds to become more open to new experiences. This feeling of openness, as van Tilburg explains, can also contribute to the development of your creativity:
Openness is one of the strongest personality traits that predict creativity. People who are very open to novelty are more likely to, say, experiment with new ideas or create connections between things in which others have not.
When you look back at nostalgic memories, your mind may recall thoughts, ideas, or feelings that you haven’t addressed in a while. This influx of new information can easily be transformed into new ways of looking at your creative challenges. So the next time you hit a wall while writing, drawing, or trying to come up with a new idea, grab old photos or home videos. Just make sure your nostalgia is working for you , not against you.
Mnemonic Muse: Nostalgia Promotes Creativity Through Openness to Experience | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology via Fast Company