Have you, as an adult, spent any time in the places of your youth?

Asked by cookieman (41925) January 6th, 2012 from iPhone

I’ve recently been afforded a good amount of free-time (as a result of losing one of my two jobs).

While going on interviews, running errands, and picking up my daughter at school, I’ve been passing through my old hometown a lot. So I decided to make some stops along the way.

I had breakfast at an old mom & pop doughnut joint I use to go to with my grandmother. I ate at the counter, in the same spot we sat at, and reminisced about her while I sipped my coffee.

I walked around the city square and poked into to some of the spots where I hung around with friends.

I drove slowly through my old neighborhood trying to remember which families lived in which houses.

It’s been really nice to have this time to revisit what’s left of my past. I feel like it may be helpful in deciding on my future.

That being said, I also feel it’s a little self-indulgent and maybe a waste of time. I’m usually a pretty forward-looking kinda guy.

So, my questions to you are:
Have you done such a thing?
If yes, at what point in your life did you revisit your past?
Did you find it helpful in any way?
Do you feel it has any value?

And (for fun), have I become a nostalgic, sentimental buffoon?