The Secret Life of Old Objects

"Typically, any object that has been around longer than we have can give us a feeling of warmth. For example, scuffed-up wooden chairs, ceramics that have a small crack, and black-and-white photos curling at the edges all possess a hidden richness. They give off a soft vibration of all the stories they have held. Objects that have weathered time are more than just objects. They are companions."

"Nostalgia plays a part in this, of course. Researchers like Holbrook and Schindler (2003) have shown that the memories tied to familiar things can tug at us in powerful ways. This is why a childhood toy can still stir something in us decades later, or why a record player feels more soulful than a streaming app. Old things act almost like small, solid pieces of the past. They are shortcuts to memory we can touch."

"Examples of nostalgic items such as a piece of furniture passed down through generations or an old family heirloom stored away can provide stability, like an anchor. The rest of the globe has also seen that many people are returning to memories of the past, which is one reason why vintage fashion is making a comeback. According to Brembeck and Sörum (2017), nostalgia influences entire markets."

Old objects anchor emotions through memory and meaningful associations, offering warmth and a sense of continuity. Scuffed wooden chairs, cracked ceramics, and curling black-and-white photos carry accumulated stories and act as companions across a lifespan. Nostalgia links familiar things to powerful recollections and provides tangible shortcuts to memory through sensory artifacts like childhood toys or record players. Nostalgia also helps preserve self-image, especially for older adults who use familiar items to hold identities steady. Heirlooms and passed-down furniture can provide stability and a feeling of being part of a longer timeline. Market interest in vintage goods reflects a search for authenticity amid mass-produced products.

Read at Psychology Today