Toxic Nostalgia is a song by Gavin Haley that tells the story of someone who has moved on from a toxic relationship but still struggles with the memories and feelings associated with it. The protagonist thought they were over their ex, but when they heard that their ex was doing well, they were tempted to fight and rekindle the relationship. However, they recognized the toxic nature of the relationship and ultimately decided to let go. The protagonist acknowledges that they are not completely over the pain and hurt caused by the relationship, but have become adept at hiding their inner turmoil behind a smile. They also reflect on the good times they had with their ex, including weekends spent together and hiking in Topanga. However, they realize that they cannot simply go back to being friends with their ex because the memories and feelings associated with the relationship are still too raw. The chorus of the song emphasizes the protagonist’s struggle to move on and avoid missing their ex. They do not want to forget the reasons why they left the toxic relationship and risk falling back into the same patterns. The conflicting emotions and memories associated with the relationship create a sense of nostalgia that is both toxic and painful. Overall, Toxic Nostalgia is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of recovering from a toxic relationship and the lingering emotions and memories that can make it hard to fully move on.
