Is it normal to start thinking about your past a lot?

[primrosehope]

I sound like an old lady talking about days gone by, I'm only 32! I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant and in lockdown so I'm just thinking back to times where I had more going on.
I keep thinking about my old boyfriend and being 17, the sort of days we had of freedom, sunshine and fun. Remembering how happy and carefree I was. I even keep thinking back to my clubbing days in my 20s and feeling nostalgic.
Has anyone else felt this way? x

I'm feeling exactly the same. I have a 18 month old, pregnant with number 2 and have been wfh for a year nearly. It's not that I don't like my life, I guess I'm just missing the bits of me that I've lost through adulting 😄 I also very rarely see anyone due to covid so it might be a bit of loneliness too

Yes, of course, it's called being human. The older you get and the more changes you go through the more there is to look back on, fondly of otherwise. The trick is to be more or less happy with where you are in your life at the moment.

This has happened to me, but only after turning 40. I can remember two relationships, one with regret the other fondly and wonder what became of these two men, we were in our early 20s. Then how much I did travel in my 20s and I also remember people who are no longer with us with great fondness. I think it is normal. Just bear in mind that the past is the past.

Completely normal, and it's more highlighted this past year when everything has changed for so many of us.
I never looked back, never had regrets. If I made a choice, any choice, I accepted it. Now I find myself doubting most things.
Roll on normality !

I feel like this ALL the time, but i'm old so it's expected. LOL I think everyone goes through this, especially once children come into the picture. I always reminisce about time before i had DD, when life was more carefree. lol

Having a baby will change your whole life. I'd say it's natural to think back to those carefree days. Gosh, mine really were carefree. You've got me reminiscing now. I remember my biggest drama being what outfit I'd wear and would my crush be at the nightclub Saturday night

I miss the 90’s. It was a simpler time, no social media, no smart phones. I feel sad for my DC’s that they won’t experience growing up/being a teen like I did.

Thanks everyone. It's strange isn't it. I guess I kind of feel like my life is on pause a bit at the moment plus life is bound to be much less exciting at 32 then it was in your late teens to early 20s. I guess I'm just thinking back if I could've done things differently and how things might've turned out if I had x

I have spent so much of the past year reminiscing and ruminating on the past. I think it's quite common!

The past is safe and comforting isn't it. I think it's normal to look back if you're feeling anxious or apprehensive about the uncertainty of the future. A bit of escapism.

plus life is bound to be much less exciting at 32

For me having my first baby was the most wonderful thrilling time of my life - I didn’t know it was possible to feel such huge unconditional love. I wish I was back there again!

It's very normal and the feeling has probably exaggerated by how shit the last year was.

I did miss clubbing and carefree stuff when I turned 30 but now I'm almost 40 I really really don't miss it. But I do still miss some of the lazy child free days if I could go back in time I would probably club and drink less and debate and chill more.

I'd still do the recreational drugs though and I think me and dw are going to be bad grandparents and fly off and retire somewhere like Colorado....

Yes...I do this, happy memories to look back on, totally normal.

In my personal experince I only obsessed over my past like that while in an unhappy relationship; I'm in a good one now and never have those feelings. But it's different for everyone, I see most people on this thread saying they feel positive when they have nostalgic thoughts.

Lock down 1 had me totally going back in time mentally, not in a good way either. My only tip is to keep busy.

Yes. I often think of the one that got away. Hope that he's happy. Wrong time but right guy. Makes me sad to think of what could've been. Biggest regret in my life.

@Derrymum123

Yes. I often think of the one that got away. Hope that he's happy. Wrong time but right guy. Makes me sad to think of what could've been. Biggest regret in my life.

Yeah right guy wrong time - I can understand that completely! If I'd met him once I'd lived a little I do wonder if he could've been the one x

I think it's normal to get wistful from time to time, especially when a big change is coming up.

I always look back. Maybe more so since lockdown (s). Most memories I have to say with great sadness. Not all. But most. If I could time travel back to my younger self and show me how life would turn out for me with the choices that I made I would do things so differently. So much loss and sadness.