SELF-IMPROVEMENT|MENTAL HEALTH|MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS|SPIRITUALITY|HYPNOTHERAPY|ROSY RETROSPECTION|BETTER BACK THEN MYTH
Think You Miss “The Good Old Days?” This Shocking Truth Will Make You Think Twice
Debunking the “better back then myth” and exposing the downsides of “rosy retrospection”.
The saying, where people complain:
“Things were better back then” –
is it real or just a matter of perspective?
Let’s break it down!
Complete Surrender Mode
Sometimes It’s good to rewrite the past:
- To start doing what you were doing when you were happy, enjoying yourself, enjoying your life, and living life to the fullest.
- Being in a complete “SURRENDER MODE”.
And no, I don’t mean “surrender mode”, like throwing your hands up in the air and waving the white flag.
I mean spiritual surrender – doing the desired and necessary action towards the desired outcome but then accepting the situation for what it is, letting the higher power (God, Universe, Your Higher Self, The Creator, Buddha, Tao, Jesus, Allah, etc.), whatever you believe in, take over and believe that everything will work out for your highest good.
By surrendering, you are choosing not to fight or control your circumstances and emotions, but rather to be open and receive whatever comes your way – either the desired outcome or something that is stereotypically labeled as bad but is, in fact, a lesson that will still bring you closer to your desired outcome when the timing is right.
When is it okay to reclaim past (good) habits and when not?
I know some people that think in a way:
“I want my old self back. I miss the person that I was.”
will think that it’s “their time to shine”.
But no, I don’t mean that either.
I think that what happens in those specific situations is the phenomenon that I got quite familiar with while completing my hypnotherapy certification.
It’s what we can call the “Better Back Then Myth”.
It’s a saying that is pretty self-explanatory because it’s where people complain that things were better back then, in the past.
But is it real or just a matter of perspective?
If we look at the internal dimension, nostalgia’s rose-tinted glasses can make us see the past through a positive filter, which isn’t that bad when we look at it at first.
At least not until the “Better Back Then” illusion kicks in.
And if we look at it from a rational dimension, it’s often comparing our journey to others that sparks this sentiment.
The Role of Nostalgia
Nostalgia and rosy retrospection are intertwined, influencing how we remember and relate to past events.
Nostalgia often serves as a psychological protector, enhancing emotional well-being by fostering feelings of social connectedness and personal resilience.
It can provide comfort during challenging times, helping us draw strength from past victories to face current adversities.
However, the “Rosy Retrospection” or the so-called “Better Back Then Myth” can sometimes lead to a distorted view of the past, making us believe that previous times were better than the present.
Rosy retrospection is a cognitive bias where people recall past events more favorably than they were at the time.
This phenomenon can significantly impact how we perceive our past and shape our present behavior and attitudes.
This illusion can create a sense of longing for a past that was not as perfect as we remember it.
Understanding this bias is crucial for using our memories constructively without falling into the trap of idealizing the past.
When recalling past habits, it is essential to differentiate between genuinely beneficial behaviors and those tinted by rosy retrospection.
Positive habits that contribute to your well-being and happiness are worth reclaiming, provided they fit into your current life context.
Conversely, habits that seem appealing due to nostalgia but were associated with negative circumstances should be approached with caution.
Criteria for Reclaiming Past Habits
- Authentic Benefit
Assess whether the habit
- genuinely improved your well-being
or
- if it’s being viewed through a nostalgic lens, through “rosy retrospection.”
2. Current Relevance
Determine if the habit is still relevant and beneficial to your current lifestyle and goals.
3. Positively Associations
Focus on habits associated with genuinely positive experiences rather than idealized memories.
4. Adaptability
Ensure that the habit can be adapted to fit into your present circumstances without causing undue stress or conflict.
Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Rosy Retrospection
While rosy retrospection can boost self-esteem and resilience, it can also lead to repeated mistakes if not managed properly.
It’s crucial to balance the positive aspects of nostalgia with a realistic assessment of the past.
The Role of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy’s dissociation approach reminds us that everyone’s path is unique.
Techniques such as slowing down your reasoning process or using guiding questions to explore past events can help maintain a balanced perspective.
Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool in our quest for self-discovery and truth.
It allows us to access deep-seated beliefs and memories, not to change them, but to understand and interpret them in the light of our current selves.
This process is crucial because it helps us dissolve the illusions that nostalgia can create about our past.
It reframes past experiences with our current understanding.
Personal Experience With “Better Back Then Myth”
A tedious example of how the better back-then myth played out in my life would be, when I was in complete desperation mode, because I was basically broke, and a wild thought that occurred to me was that things were better back then when I was living with my narcissistic, abusive mother, and this just a humorous reminder.
But I’d for sure take temporary broke over the chance of being permanently abused any day!
Takeaway
The “Better Back Then Myth” can give you some kind of an illusion.
So, remember, “better back then” is all about perspective and change.
Hypnotherapy’s creative and dissociative tools help you see the past for what it truly was – different, not necessarily better.
