NOSTALGIA DEFINITION:Fondly recalling a past period or situation one would like to revisit NOTES:While nostalgia and homesickness are often seen as the same thing, there are subtle differences between the two. The former is typically a fond remembering, while the latter is a deeper feeling that’s often coupled with a strong sense of sadness or even grief. If your character is feeling HOMESICK, see that entry for ideas on how it might be expressed. PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: An unfocused gaze A slight smile Slowly flipping through old pictures, stroking the pages A relaxed posture Eyes that fill with happy tears Using a quiet voice Cocking one’s head to the side while remembering Subdued laughter A shallow sigh An unhurried walk Slouching on a sofa, watching old movies from the time period one fondly remembers Slow, languid movements Growing animated when memory is triggered (an old song playing on the radio, etc.) Eyes brightening as memories are recalled Keeping mementos from the happy time Telling and retelling stories about the past Seeking out those who share one’s memories Gently touching memorable items (a baby blanket, wedding invitations, etc.) Closing one’s eyes to more clearly recall the memories Trying to recreate a past event (burning the same scented candle, wearing the old clothes, etc.) Walking through one’s house and remembering how things used to look before one’s children moved on Seeing similarities in the present:You look just like him,orThis is the same color as our first car. Increased tenderness (sitting close, a quick kiss, etc.) for those who shared in the event Talking frequently about the past Baking an old dessert that was a favorite of the person one is remembering Visiting special places (the kids’ favorite playground, a favorite restaurant, etc.) Using social networks to find old friends and family Remembering only the good about the time or person; forgetting the negative associations Seeking to reconnect (phoning out of the blue, arranging a visit, etc.) INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Eyes prickling with tears An excited flutter in the belly An overall relaxation of the body The breaths slowing as a memory takes over Thickness in the throat Dulled awareness—e.g., sitting in an uncomfortable position without feeling it Experiencing (to a lesser degree) the same physical sensations felt during the past event MENTAL RESPONSES: Losing track of the time while remembering A desire to go back and visit the past Mentally replaying past events Pushing oneself to recall small details (the color of a friend’s jacket, the name of a child’s best friend who often stayed for dinner, etc.) to make the memory more vivid Regrets resurfacing (things one didn’t say or do, or how one held back, etc.) that one must process and let go of to regain the happy state of remembering Satisfaction at having experienced the event despite any pain or loss resulting from it ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Discontentment with the way things presently are Choosing to reconnect with someone, even if it means working past a challenge (e.g., a past falling-out, dealing with problematic family members, a fear of flying, etc.) Reconnecting with a past joy (volunteering, teaching dance lessons again, rejoining a choir to sing, etc.) Expressing more emotion about the past than the present Spending large periods of time in the past Hoarding tendencies Neglecting current duties or relationships An inability to move on SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: An austere lack of mementos from the past Sniffing back tears Rejecting opportunities to revisit the past (reunions, trips to the old hometown, etc.) Not engaging in conversations about the past Refusing to speak about someone, or changing the topic when their name comes up Masking nostalgia with practicality:I kept his toys so he could give them to his kids. MAY ESCALATE TO:Longing,Dissatisfaction,Sadness,Happiness,Sappy MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Wistful,Gratitude,Satisfaction,Connectedness ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Call, caress, celebrate, cradle cry, grasp, graze, grieve grin, hold, honor, hug joke, kiss, laugh, meditate memorialize, peruse, ponder, pore over recall, reflect, relive, remember reminisce, retell, share, sigh smooth, stroke, voice WRITER’S TIP:When introducing and describing characters, parcel out personal details in small bits. Anything that isn’t pivotal to plot or characterization can be left to the reader’s imagination.