There’s something special about the things that shaped us when we were young. For me, it was a mix of games, cartoons, and comics. Even now, decades later, those stories and sounds feel like old friends. When life gets busy or stressful, I still find comfort in revisiting the worlds I grew up with—whether that’s flipping through a manga, rewatching an old Star Trek episode, or picking up a controller for a few minutes of gaming. Nostalgia isn’t just about reliving the past, it’s about reconnecting.
Saturday Mornings and After-School Worlds
When I think back on my childhood, the memories are full of color and sound. Saturday mornings meant cartoons, and after school meant diving into games or comics. I’d sit close to the TV, caught up in worlds that were bigger and brighter than the one outside. Shows like Stargate SG-1, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine filled me with wonder. They weren’t just about space battles—they were about teamwork, discovery, and hope.
Those stories gave me a sense that the universe was vast and full of possibility. Even as a kid in Georgia, watching adventures unfold light-years away made me feel like anything was possible if I stayed curious. That feeling still sticks with me. Whenever I put on an old sci-fi show, it’s like visiting home in a different kind of way.
Manga and the Art of Long Stories
If cartoons and TV shows gave me adventure, manga gave me persistence. Series like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach weren’t quick reads. They took years to unfold, and each chapter came with new twists and lessons. What I loved most was the sense of growth—watching characters struggle, fail, and keep going.
Those stories taught me patience. They reminded me that progress doesn’t happen overnight, and that even the smallest steps forward count. I think that’s one reason I stuck with painting later in life. There’s something about slowly building up layers of color or shading a miniature figure that echoes that same kind of storytelling. Each piece tells its own story, one layer at a time.
Even now, when I flip through an old manga volume, I feel a mix of comfort and inspiration. The art style, the dialogue, even the paper’s smell—it all reminds me of sitting on the floor as a teenager, lost in another world.
Games That Taught Me More Than I Realized
Video games have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, it was games like Counter-Strike and StarCraft that pulled me in. They were fast-paced, competitive, and a little chaotic. I didn’t realize it at the time, but they were also teaching me about problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability.
Then there were the story-driven games—like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and later Skyrim. Those games gave me something deeper: freedom. The ability to explore, make choices, and create my own path. They were worlds I could step into whenever I needed to escape or think.
Looking back, I realize how much those virtual worlds shaped my creativity. They made me appreciate world-building, art design, and storytelling in ways that still influence how I approach painting and 3D printing today. When I paint a Warhammer 40K miniature or sketch out a scene, part of me is still that kid wandering through a fantasy world, imagining how it all connects.
Why Nostalgia Still Matters
As an adult, nostalgia can sometimes feel like a guilty pleasure—something we turn to when we’re tired or overwhelmed. But I don’t think it’s something to feel guilty about. Nostalgia is grounding. It reminds us of where we came from and what once made us dream.
When I pick up a comic or replay a game from my childhood, I’m not just chasing the past. I’m reconnecting with a sense of curiosity and joy that’s easy to lose in everyday life. Those old stories remind me that imagination isn’t something we outgrow—it just takes different forms as we get older.
Sometimes, when I’m working on a painting, I’ll listen to an old game soundtrack or rewatch a sci-fi series in the background. There’s comfort in that familiar rhythm. It keeps me inspired and focused, like a quiet conversation with the past.
The Thread That Connects It All
Whether it’s comics, games, or TV shows, all these things share one common thread: storytelling. As a kid, I didn’t realize how much I was learning about narrative, character, and emotion just by consuming these stories. Now, as an artist and parent, I see how those same lessons show up in my life.
They taught me patience, imagination, and the value of persistence. They showed me that even heroes struggle, that small acts can make a difference, and that creativity can take a thousand different shapes. Those lessons are worth holding onto, no matter how old we get.
Holding On, Letting Go
Nostalgia, to me, isn’t about living in the past—it’s about honoring it. It’s looking back with gratitude, knowing that those experiences still live inside me. The games, comics, and shows I grew up with didn’t just entertain me. They built the foundation for the things I love today—art, storytelling, faith, and creativity.
Sometimes, when I see my kids discovering their own favorite shows or games, I smile. They’re building their own worlds of nostalgia, piece by piece. And maybe one day, they’ll look back on those moments with the same warmth I feel now.
Because in the end, nostalgia isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about remembering what first made it feel magical.
