The joy of old photos

Cameras are everywhere today with so many of us using smartphones and then there’s all those old photo albums lying around our homes and of course, our parents homes. When we were teenagers, we’d dread the moment our parents would drag out the old photo albums, especially if a new love interest was around! But then we also loved those precious moments we’d spend with a grandparent looking at pictures of our family history.

Photo by averie woodard on Unsplash

Research has shown that looking at old photos can evoke a rich tapestry of emotions, from sadness to nostalgia and of course, happiness. There’s nothing like going through photos from our past travels and great events in life like birthdays, weddings and holidays. Sometimes, even badly taken photos can lead to a moment of laughter.

Old photos keep us connected with family and friends and remind us of where we’ve come from and how we’ve grown. They can spark creativity in us and inspire us to go on a new adventure or reconnect with an old friend.

In the darkness of the winter months, taking some time with someone close to go through old photos can give us a much needed mood booster as well. If you’re going to do that, make a special place and time, grab a hot chocolate or tea, get comfy and toss on some nice relaxing music. Make it a moment and you’ll cherish that moment as you wander through past moments.

You may want to pull out some old photos from an album or print some off your computer or smartphone. Create a collage on poster board or with a multi-picture frame. Hang it somewhere it can easily be seen everyday. Such a collage can be a great way to start conversations when friends and family come to visit as well.

So, what are you waiting for?

You might also enjoy this article on finding greater joy in life.

Author: Alexa Hurst is a staff writer for HUM@Nmedia, the parent brand for Optimyz and Silver Magazines, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.