I sometimes notice that the past connects with me. It is known to as “The Golden Age Thinking.” If you’ve seen Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, you could kind of get what I’m getting at . I resonate with Owen Wilson’s character so deeply. The Golden Age thinking — A weakness in the romanticized fantasy of those who find it difficult to deal with the present is the Golden Age thinking, which is the mistaken belief that a different historical period is superior than the one one is now living in. It’s like a denial to a painful reminder in contrast to the world we currently live in. A longing for the good old days when life seemed simpler, less self-absorbed, and more authentic. I always find my self wanting to live in the past, specifically each decade of the 1900’s. In all aspects I find my self wanting to constantly experience those era’s. The history that built the world today, real music that will touch your spirits, meaningful conversations, authentic relationships and appreciating genuine moments.
I was raised in the late 1990s and early 2000s, so it goes without saying that I grew up in a technologically advanced time. Not to imply it’s horrible, but there is NO DOUBT that addiction persists. I adore social media because it allows me to interact with people, utilize a variety of platforms to express myself, and gain knowledge, but I also detest it. Why must I continuously broadcast personal events or be influenced by information that focuses on fashion? My two favourite apps are definitely TikTok & Twitter. Why do I always feel compelled and obligated to turn to it though? I love texting and facetiming, but why can’t I make time to see people authentically in person? I love the simple, authentic & vintage living, yet why has society has influenced superficial ideologies? It’s this paradox that I struggle with psychologically all the time.
Theres this deep inner desire that I continually feel of wanting to experience the 20th century. I want to be able to see the demolishment’s of monarchies, I want to write letters & use telephones to communicate, I want to see planes & cars come to advancements. I want to see a world loving jazz & black soul music, rather than rap, I want to feel the 60’s and I want to feel the Elvis thrill. I want to live in the Michael Jackson era, I want to live in a world with Princess Diana, and I want to wear the 90’s iconic fashion. Theres so much that fascinates me about the 20th century, that i’m constantly compelled to believe how terrible the time we live in are. I love through history and everything I will never get to experience — especially pop culture.
However, the life expectancy today is at an all-time high. Our lifestyles are more opulent than ever. The world is ours to explore. We have access to a wide variety of cuisine. We are able to enjoy all of life’s joys. History does not always corroborate this. Without the technology we have today, I wouldn’t be able to experience or enjoy all the things I admire, despite having this counterintuitive sense, I wonder whether I’m the only one who carries such thoughts.
“You just never know when you’re living in a golden age” — Alexander Payne
“Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now.” — Eckhart Tolle
Thank you for reading the thoughts i’ve in my head for a while!
Till next time…
XO
Zoha Rahman 👼🏻 🌸💕
