To Boost Your Mood, try Looking at old Photographs

Photo by Barna Kovacs

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
~ Karl Lagerfield

Several years ago I read an article about the activities that make people happy, and I was surprised to learn about one near the top of the list: looking through photographs from our younger years.

And here I thought it was sitting on a beach sipping fruity cocktails!

More recent studies conducted in the UK confirm that looking at old photos can boost our moods by more than 10%, and it can be even more relaxing than meditating.

People of all ages enjoy looking back on their lives. Old photos can stimulate our brains and open the floodgates of memory. One photograph might trigger a fuller memory of the entire day: who was there, what you did, and even what you ate.

Perhaps because the pandemic year was so tough, many of us are turning to pictures of happier times. A few weeks ago our longtime best friends were in town. One of them showed us the Google Photos phone app he was using to digitize all his old photos. The app allows you to take pictures of print photos and then access them later based on a name or a date. It’s pretty cool!

He pulled up some early pictures of the four of us from when we first met. I brought down my albums and located a few more gems. We always talk about old times when we’re together, but it was even more fun reminiscing while looking at photos of ourselves and our youthful antics.

Another friend has spent the better part of this year scanning and categorizing her photographs on her computer. She’s made great progress, and I’m envious. I don’t know if I can endure the effort it will take to digitize all of mine, no matter the method. But looking at my assorted albums, boxes, and bags has got me thinking about it.

This week one of our godsons asked if I had any old pictures of his mom, who has passed. I spent a few days pouring over thousands of prints, and even though I was laser focused on finding photos of his mom, I couldn’t help making some observations about what I saw:

~Some of the clothes, hats, accessories, and even home decor that were so “in” back in the day look ridiculous to us now. Much as we’re concerned about keeping up with trends in any given year, they’re so random and fleeting. And so unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

~Once we reach adulthood, we begin to notice the passage of time, and obsess about our changing bodies and visible signs of aging. But looking back, I look so young in most of the photos. Perspective is everything.

~One could argue that since we put on our best smiles for photos, the happiness on display is not entirely genuine. But there were many candid photos as well, and the smiles in those pics were even bigger than the posed smiles. (By the way, have you ever wondered why we say “cheese” when someone is taking our picture? Here’s a fascinating article on that topic that includes a brief history of photography.)

~Much as for a period of time I donned business suits and heels and tried to fit into the corporate life, it was never really for me. But I gave it the old college try. I’m happy I eventually figured out that being my authentic self was more important than trying to live up to other people’s expectations.

~We know parenting is hard work while we’re doing it, but it’s even more impressive looking back on it. From making fancy birthday cakes to Halloween crafts to trekking to all those sporting events, I’d forgotten so much of the day-to-day effort involved in parenting. Much as we’ve all made mistakes, we should give ourselves some credit for doing our best in the moment.

~Following up on last week’s theme of “If we knew then what we know now,” I was always so anxious to know what was to come. “Would we get the loan for the house?” “Would my son or daughter get into the college of their choice?” “How much longer would my dad be with us?” I find that over time I’m starting to get much better at dealing with the unknowns. Life will be what it will be.

~I’m quite sure that on the day each photo was taken, there was something important pressing on my mind, and yet I barely remember my troubles from my younger years. I do know that there were more good times than bad. Most things eventually worked out. And if they didn’t, we learned from them.

~We’ve had so many good friends during the course of our lives, even if we’re no longer in touch with some. Or, as is happening more recently, they are no longer with us. Friends are a gift to us, no matter how long we have them.

Time passes so quickly. Thousands of days, stacked upon each other.

Treasure each one!

Affectionately,

Elaine