Right now, I am listening to the Top 40 countdown from this week in 1984 on SiriusXM’s 80s on 8. And I love it. In fact, if you know me well enough, you know that it doesn’t get too much better than this for me. There are several reasons I think contribute to my love for 80s music, and 80s nostalgia in general:
- I was born in 1981, so to me the 80s represent a time of innocence, fun, and being carefree
- My parents listened to popular music at that time, so 80s music became the soundtrack to my early life
- I started revisiting 80s music and pop culture when I was in high school in the late 90s, and its mostly optimistic and upbeat attitude keep me coming back again and again
Of course, we know it is now 2016 as I write this, and the 80s are long gone. Am I stuck in the past with my obsession with all things 80s? I know that “living in the past” is typically frowned upon, but is loving the 80s considered to be “living in the past”?
My answer to that question is no. I am a big believer in living in the present, even though my execution of that philosophy is poor. I am a big fan of meditation and yoga, but again, I struggle to really just be in the moment. It is something I strive for and continue to develop. In the meantime, I can be found on both sides of the present, remembering my past as well as planning my future. In fact, planning ahead might take up more of my time than singing along to 80s music, although I will do both frequently at the same time.
So, in my mind, my 80s devotion is more like a hobby to me. And, it brings me joy. What could be so bad about living the present with something that brings me joy?
And with that in mind, I will continue to enjoy my present by listening to the 1984 Top 40 countdown.