This is because the memories of past happiness and contentment become even more cherished when they are contrasted with the difficulties or uncertainties brought on by change or loss. 4. Idealization of the past: Change and loss can sometimes lead to idealizing the past as better or more positive than the present. This idealization can be a coping mechanism to deal with the hardships of the present. Nostalgia often arises from a longing to return to that perceived "golden age" that seems more desirable when compared to the current reality.
