I'm not a particularly nostalgic person. I don't often think about the past in such a way I find myself wishing I could go back (at least not to an amount I consider unhealthy).
However, I do think about the past all the same because the past can shed light on the present. Revisiting different eras, including periods of our own lives, can offer valuable insights into who we are today.
That curiosity recently took me back to an unlikely place: the world of Baywatch.
Yes, that Baywatch—the 1990s TV series with David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, where slow-motion beach running was practically an art form.
I'd gotten the idea during the gloom of Parisian winter when I was craving not just some sunshine, but a dose of the optimism of yesterday.
But when you watch something from the past, something deeper always happens: revisiting this piece of pop culture from my youth opened a window into the values, assumptions, and attitudes of a different time—and it made me reflect on my own.
In this post, I'd like to share what I learned from this experience, and offer you a simple guide to using old media as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth.
Whether it's an old TV show, a childhood favourite movie, or a book you read as a teenager, revisiting media from the past can do more than just trigger nostalgia. It can:
Highlight how society has changed—and how it hasn't.
Reveal how your own values and beliefs have evolved.
Help you understand yourself in a deeper, more nuanced way.
We often consume media without thinking much about the messages it's sending. But when we revisit it with fresh eyes and life experience, we can uncover a lot—about ourselves, our past, and the cultural forces that shaped us.
Baywatch was such a cultural juggernaut of the 90s, that even if you weren't a regular watcher, as I wasn't, you knew the broad-strokes. Beaches, lifeguard action and soap opera storylines.
The first thing that struck me about the show today was the pervy camerawork. Baywatch's reputation as "boob watch" wasn't exactly off the mark. The show is full of slow-motion shots that are more about spectacle than story. Since they spend just as much time on the men as the women, the show feels less exploitative and more funny.
Yet as I watched, I began to feel something else—a sadness.
I found myself thinking about Pamela Anderson. In the 90s, she was often reduced to two things: her body, and her character's ditzy persona. Misogyny was mainstream back then, and Anderson was an easy target. As a teenager, I remember feeling uncomfortable with how people spoke about her, but also not that uncomfortable at the same time because of this wider cultural narrative that saw celebrities more as objects than people.
Watching Baywatch now, with 30 more years of life and perspective, I noticed things I hadn't before.
Anderson was young. Courageous. She was stepping into the public eye in a way that made her incredibly vulnerable—not just physically, but emotionally and professionally. And despite the dismissive comments people made about her acting back in the day, I can say after having done more than a few acting classes myself, that her performance was consistent and nailed the emotive beats that the shallow writing of her character laid out for her. Anderson had good TV presence and did exactly what the role asked of her, often doing it better than her co-stars.
Which brings up a sense of injustice—not just toward Anderson, but toward the broader cultural attitudes of that time in which celebrity denigration and misogyny intersected in an ugly way that turned Pamela Anderson, the person, into a disrespectful character.
Such realisations can be sad. You look back on the world and find it crueler than you remember. But they're also an opportunity to reflect on the ways we've grown, throwing into relief you value now. In my own case for Baywatch, I realise how important it is to bring empathy into how we view both others and ourselves in order to see people as complete humans rather than the simple labels we can undeservedly slap onto others.
We all have media from our past that shaped us in some way. Revisiting it intentionally can be a powerful exercise in reflection and self-awareness. Here's how you can try this yourself:
It could be a TV show you loved (or avoided), a book you read obsessively, or music you couldn't get enough of. Pick something that connects to an earlier version of yourself.
As you watch, read, or listen, notice:
What makes you cringe?
What still resonates?
What surprises you?
These reactions are clues about how your values and beliefs have changed—or stayed the same.
Ask yourself:
What ideas about gender, success, relationships, or identity does this media promote?
How did these ideas influence me at the time?
How do I feel about them now?
Your emotions are valuable information. Do you feel nostalgic, angry, sad, inspired? Why? What's the story behind those feelings?
Afterward, jot down what you noticed. This can help you process your insights and connect them to your current life and values.
If you'd like to try this exercise, here are some reflective questions you can use:
What media from your past stands out as meaningful or formative?
What did you admire about the characters or people portrayed?
How were certain groups of people (women, men, different cultures) represented? How do you feel about that now?
What personal memories come up as you engage with this media again?
How have your tastes changed? What does that say about you today?
What values did you hold back then? Have they shifted?
Our past experiences—including the media we consumed—shape our identity in ways we often overlook. By revisiting them with curiosity rather than judgment, we can:
Recognise old patterns and beliefs we've outgrown.
Appreciate how we've evolved.
Clarify our current values and sense of self.
It's a gentle, insightful practice that can offer surprising depth—and sometimes, even healing.
You don't have to rewatch Baywatch (though I won't judge you if you do!). But I encourage you to pick something from your past and revisit it with fresh eyes.
Notice what's changed. Notice what hasn't. And take the time to reflect on what it says about who you are now.
If you'd like support exploring these themes in a deeper way, I offer therapy sessions where we can make sense of your personal history together.
What's something from your past that's calling you back?
If you're curious about how revisiting your personal history—whether through old media or life experiences—can help you feel more connected to who you are today, let's talk.
I offer one-on-one therapy sessions where we can explore these insights together and help you reconnect with your values, your story, and your sense of self.
Reach out today to book your free consultation. Your story deserves to be heard—and understood.
Many people go through life feeling a little unsure of who they really are. They might describe themselves as adaptable, easy-going, or flexible. And while these can be strengths, there's sometimes a deeper story behind them—especially if they're accompanied by feelings of resentment, confusion, or disconnection.
I'm not a particularly nostalgic person. I don't often think about the past in such a way I find myself wishing I could go back (at least not to an amount I consider unhealthy).