Lately, I've become addicted to browsing Your Past Reality, an instagram page blending nostalgia-inducing images with ambient music, creating an atmosphere that transports viewers back to the 90s and early 2000s.
The page is a mix of empty streets covered in autumn leaves, suburban houses photographed in the glow of streetlights, and vacant spaces that seem frozen in time—all evoking a sense of both comfort and unease.
At the core of your past reality is a concept that has grown increasingly popular on the internet in recent years: liminal spaces. The term "liminal" originates from the Latin word limen, meaning "threshold." In this context, liminal spaces refer to places that are transitional or in-between, often devoid of people and seemingly caught between two states. These spaces are familiar yet strange—like a school hallway late at night, an empty parking lot at dawn, or an abandoned mall during the off-hours. The eeriness of these environments creates a unique atmosphere many people find to be both unsettling and deeply compelling.
I find it important to look at this page with the audio fully on. It feels like the audio somehow activates the images and transports me back in time. Looking at Your Past Reality has been my favorite way to unwind for a few minutes after getting home in the afternoon. Pages like this make instagram feel a little more worthwhile to spend time on.
See also: Jetliners have hidden rooms, but not for passengers or cargo
