Sharing and reviewing old photos online helps people activate positive emotions such as joy, love of life, and enjoyment. This also improves memory and relationships....
Post on your personal page 2 photos of yourself at the same time, taken in 2009 and 10 years later, to compare changes after a decade. That's how netizens participated in the "10-Year Challenge" that was popular in early 2019, according to HITC.
This trend returns every year after that with different names. Basically, they all focus on looking back on the past and showing the change between then - now.
According to Vox, like many other trends online, the "10-year challenge" is hot because many people see this as an excuse to show off their own photos. At its core, this is a healthy, socially acceptable movement that shows a change in appearance, fame, education, marital or financial status.
In fact, before the "10-year challenge", netizens often posted photos looking back at the old years or comparing the past - present.
However, for many people, these trends pose the real challenge that aging happens to everyone, and everyone gets older. Transgender people are also at risk of being photographed before and after changing their appearance to become a means of harassment, according to the Daily Dot.
According to The New York Times, photos of those days - now become a measure of aging, the definition of beauty, even the meaning of living with purpose.
Kevin LaBar, associate director at Duke University's Center for Cognitive Neuroscience (USA), said that there are two main purposes that make many people join this trend: "challenging age" or "celebrating aging". Go".
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Many world-famous stars participate in the "10-year challenge". Photo: @nickiminaj.
“The challenge is inherently based on society's belief that youth is the gold standard. If we look younger than 10 years ago, we will be appreciated by society and are 'successfully aging'. If we don't, we're seen as a failure or hit hard," said Amy Gorely, director at Carolina Meadows retirement community.
Dr Vivienne Lewis, a clinical psychologist who specializes in body image, worries that comparing the present to 10 years ago could leave people feeling hopeless, helpless, depressed and anxious. Those who don't follow the trend may struggle with illness, divorce, the death of a loved one, or changes as they age, such as weight gain, hair loss, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
However, Lewis also sees the positive. Some people take up the challenge to mark major life milestones like beating cancer, overcoming trauma, graduating from college.
“In these cases, challenges are used as vehicles for self-actualization, self-affirmation and pride,” she said.
One of the joys of modern life is the excitement of getting likes on social media. This recognition reassures people that they are attractive, successful, or doing well, according to Metro UK.
Besides, sharing life's moments online helps people feel connected and in touch with the outside world. This is more evident during the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic with the rise of #throwback posts or nostalgic photos.
Research conducted by the company Cewe (UK) in 2020 found that revisiting old photos made 56% of survey participants feel happier, 30% more relaxed. In fact, they found looking back on the past was significantly more relaxing than meditating or listening to podcasts.
Aoife, a writer in the city of Bristol, agrees that there is something moving about looking back at old photographs. This helps her to feel optimistic about the future during the dismal pandemic.
PR consultant Helen also said she smiles every time she sees nostalgic moments.
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Behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings says looking back at old photos can be an effective form of self-care.
“Taking time to look back on precious memories is very beneficial for health. Studies show that this not only improves relationships with family and friends, but also activates positive emotions such as joy, love, enjoyment, and enhances memory and memory. general sense of well-being”.
Jo added that reminiscing about happy times and special moments creates an “emotional bubble.” The combination of emotions stimulates oxytocin, the hormone that promotes feelings of love and attachment, as well as enhancing social memory in the brain.
“Even looking back on memories that may never be recreated or make us melancholy has been shown to have an overall positive effect on happiness,” she says.
Social media expert Sara Tasker says the growth of the look-back movement - now is also a reminder of the past and gratitude in life.