To feel something new, find something old

If your brain feels completely cooked by modern life, you need to time travel. 

Read old books. Watch old movies. Look at old art. Listen to old music. 

Do this not because art was necessarily better in the past. That’s not it—that’s false nostalgia. Do it because when you are stuck in the relentless barrage of the present moment, visiting the past is a great way to escape that trap and find fresh perspective from the humans who came before us, who thought differently and created differently, sometimes in strange or challenging ways, yet still had the same kinds of questions and problems we have today. 

If the past is a foreign country (as the saying goes), then you should visit the past for the same reason you travel: to break out of your routine, to see new things, to humble yourself and remember (in the best way) that you are not that special. 

So you want to feel something new? Find something old. 


  1. John Hayward Avatar
    John Hayward

    Just yesterday, as I was eating lunch in our school library break room, I grabbed a 1971 yearbook from the archives for fun browsing. Beyond the pictures of wide collars, clunky typewriters, and school decor, I came across a line that blew my mind a little. One caption mentioned the cafeteria microwave, “they can heat food in just 30 seconds.” Now I knew of microwaves in my 80s household as a teen and thought the technology came out of the post-war era 1940s, but to have it confirmed as a school thing in 1971 pleasantly surprised me. The yearbook also revealed some time capsule moments of clubs no longer around, inappropriate mascots, and wild hair styles. Married women (Mrs.) listed with their husband’s first name. Oof, that field trip was interesting. We have yearbooks going all the way back to 1937, I think. Looking forward to more lunch hour time travel adventures!

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