By Christian Cullen, Staff Writer

If you look up the phrase “remember when” on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, the content surrounding it is often negative. “Remember when” conversations are simply just that. They happen when one of your friends says the phrase and suddenly two hours fly by as you reminisce on good times. It is a conversation about the past. But most of the content on social media views it as “the lowest form of conversation.” I want to express my disagreement while also considering why “remember when” conversations seem to have such a negative reputation. 

I would point to worries about being over-nostalgic as the main reason why people dislike this form of conversation too much. People feel as though they are living in the past when engaging in “remember when” conversations. You get stuck in the old days, unable to progress as a person. This cannot be more wrong! 

First, to become a better person, you must face the past; avoiding these conversations solely for their orientation in the past is foolish. Second, reminiscing is a good thing! You should be appreciative of the good moments in your past; even better if you get to share this joy with a good friend when talking to them about it! 

Not only that, but these conversations are important to friendships. It helps grow your bond with another person by remembering the good times you have had together. If you do not have any positive memories or experiences to talk about with someone you consider a friend, why are they a friend? And if you do, why not talk with them about memories you both look back and smile upon? “Remember when” conversations form the links that help friendships survive distance and time. 

I can confidently say some of the conversations that have made me laugh the most are the ones where I am talking to my friends about some past times together. They are important conversations that reinforce bonds that the events you are talking about set in place. They are needed, and I find it strange that we are trying to cast them out. 

I fear that the concern is that we will get stuck. We are so preoccupied with always progressing, always cultivating something of ourselves. Hobbies become chores as we always try to approach perfection. We are told and conditioned to believe there is always a step up, always an opportunity to improve. And while you can always grow and be better than you were yesterday, you ought not to do that at the expense of the past. And that is the issue with “remember when” conversations in this line of thought. If you are supposed to be doing something, getting better, then why even talk about something in the past? This is not a healthy viewpoint. Sometimes, you need to stop yourself from imbuing yourself in the busyness of life and reminisce instead. What’s the point of going forward if you can’t look back?

As with anything else, these conversations are good in moderation, but it is likely not healthy to only talk about the good ol’ days with your friends. You do not want to stagnate as a person, and these conversations could keep a person in the past more than they push them towards the future. However, you do not want to be fearful of reminiscing. It’s ok to have a good time by talking about past good times. Next time you see any friends from high school, don’t be afraid to start a conversation with “remember when.” You’re going to have a good time.