How Romantic Nostalgia Helps Transform Relationships

Viewing old photos of a partner can enhance love and satisfaction with the current relationship. This is the conclusion came to S. J. E. Langeslag, K. Surti. Increasing love feelings, marital satisfaction, and motivated attention to the spouse / Journal of Psychophysiology the authors of a recent study that studied ways to preserve marriages in which the main problem is the fading of feelings. Memories of glorious moments of the past help to cause a rush of emotions, which over time it becomes not as easy as before. And if a simple thing called "romantic nostalgia" by experts is able to breathe new life into a relationship, it's definitely worth taking advantage of.

What does romantic nostalgia mean for a relationship

As partners get to know each other, they become more comfortable together. But many couples complain that at the same time the spark disappears and the deep affection that once existed in a relationship weakens. It is in this situation that romantic nostalgia helps.

It is important for any person to feel belonging to other people, and romantic nostalgia satisfies this need, returning vivid emotions and strengthening the bond between partners. It highlights a common story and reminds them of why they chose each other, what trials they went through together, what events brought them closer, what they are grateful for and what they value in a relationship. Reflecting on significant moments in the past also helps to strengthen mutual loyalty.

At the same time, different situations will cause different people to feel romantic nostalgia, including partners who have been together for a long time. This is due to the fact that we all perceive certain episodes from life in our own way and keep unique memories of what was important to us personally. Therefore, for someone, thoughts about the park where the declaration of love took place, or about the restaurant where the best date took place, will be more valuable, for example, and for someone ‑ the first kiss or a bright vacation together.

How to evoke romantic nostalgia

The best way is to remember your favorite moments in a relationship and ask your partner questions that will help you feel the same sense of intimacy, love and attraction. You can start by talking about how you met and what you thought of each other, and then move on to other topics. For example:

• When did you realize you were in love? Perhaps you will learn something new about your loved one from the answer. We usually remember the first declaration of love well, but rarely think about when we first felt and realized this feeling.
• At what point did you feel the most intense love from your partner? This question not only "turns on" romantic nostalgia, but also gives each of you an understanding of what makes the other feel loved and how to make them experience it again.
• What were the most romantic periods in the relationship? This is an easy way not only to determine what exactly is igniting the spark between you, but also to get an idea of the actions that will keep it alive.
• What was the sexiest night? Not everyone is comfortable talking about sex directly, but discussing this issue will remind you of what excites you the most and will suggest how to bring variety to intimacy.

What forms can romantic nostalgia take

A variety of options are suitable for time travel with a partner. For example:

• Creating a shared playlist. Include in it all "your" songs that matter to your relationship. Music has the magical property of instantly transporting us to certain moments of the past and evoking pleasant memories and emotions.
• Writing love letters to each other. Of course, they can also be sent by e‑mail, but there is something personal in handwritten letters that can cause deeper emotions in the recipient. The effect of pink nostalgia can also be achieved if you re-read the correspondence with your partner from the very beginning dating.
• Celebrating anniversaries. Special dates like the wedding day or the first date indicate the obligations that you once assumed, and emphasize your serious intentions towards each other. By planning anniversaries, you will remember your shared history and create new shared memories and traditions.