Clay Routledge is an existential psychologist, a writer, and a consultant.
Clay is Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute and coeditor of Profectus, a magazine on human progress and flourishing.
As a leading expert in existential psychology, Clay’s work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. Clay spent two decades in academia as a professor of psychology, professor of management, and distinguished professor of business. During that time, he taught undergraduate, MBA, and PhD courses in social and personality psychology, cultural psychology, research methods, and team leadership. He also published more than 100 academic papers, co-edited three books, authored three books, and received numerous awards for his scholarly research and student mentorship. In 2022, Clay joined Archbridge Institute as Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab.
New Book Available Now!
Discover research and practices for mindfully using nostalgia to live a more intentional, connected, and meaningful life.
When an old song makes you want to dance like you did in high school, or you long for the comforting taste of your mom’s cooking, that’s more than just memory—it’s nostalgia. And according to the latest research, that special feeling is more important and valuable than most of us realize—not just for relating to our past, but for allowing us to move into an uncertain future with hope and confidence.
In Past Forward, psychologist Clay Routledge presents a fascinating investigation into an emotion we all experience yet often misunderstand. As more than fifteen years of research reveals, nostalgia is more than rose-tinted sentiment or “living in the past”—it can also be a powerful resource for our well-being. Dr. Routledge uses the latest findings to illuminate the many ways that nostalgia can impact our lives, especially when we approach it with awareness and discernment. He offers a treasury of practices for harnessing nostalgia to boost your motivation; counteract loneliness; deepen healthy social connections; spark creativity; overcome stress, anxiety, and trauma; reveal your most enduring values; and much more.
“In its healthiest form, nostalgia is the way we weave the past into a meaningful life story,” Dr. Routledge says. “It helps us see what makes life worth living—and inspires us to do great things.”
Early Praise for Past Forward
“Clay Routledge makes the thought-provoking case that looking back with nostalgia can actually be good for us. Past Forward comes to a surprising but solid conclusion: thinking about the past can help us cope, build self-esteem, connect to others, and manage stress. It’s a fascinating look into the research on how humans think about time.” ―Jean M. Twenge, PhD, author of Generations
“In Past Forward, acclaimed psychologist Clay Routledge delves deeply into the profound and often underestimated power of nostalgia. Drawing on decades of research, this thought-provoking and lucidly written book unravels the mysteries of our longing for the past and reveals how we can all use nostalgia intentionally to improve our present lives and build a brighter future.” ―Constantine Sedikides, PhD, professor of social psychology, University of Southampton, UK
“If you miss ‘the good old days,’ well, lucky you. In Past Forward, Clay Routledge shows us that nostalgia is an unmistakably positive force in life―combating loneliness, boosting self-esteem, and driving society forward. A fascinating book.” ―Arthur C. Brooks, PhD, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, author of From Strength to Strength, a #1 New York Times bestseller
“In Past Forward, Clay Routledge convincingly argues that nostalgia can be a critical ally of progress. Counterintuitively, our nostalgic longing for the past doesn’t hold us back. It helps us adapt to a changing world and find the motivation to move forward with an optimistic outlook. Importantly, Routledge shows readers how they can take advantage of the power of nostalgia to improve their own lives and the world around them.” ―Marian L. Tupy, founder and editor of humanprogress.org, coauthor of Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know and Superabundance
“Clay Routledge thoughtfully explores the value of memories and nostalgia, emphasizing their profound impact on our personal growth and collective advancement, urging us to embrace the past as a guiding force toward a brighter tomorrow. For our scrapbooking community, we’ve known for a long time that there is magic in nostalgia, but Clay Routledge helps us understand exactly how that magic of the past impacts our futures.” ―Alison Dutton, CEO of Creative Memories
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Latest Content
The Psyche That Unites Americans Is Deeper Than the Politics Dividing Us | Opinion
Political polarization has become a fixture of American society. While stoking outrage and division may benefit certain media outlets and political agendas, it obstructs our ability to thrive as individuals and come together as a nation to make progress on the big challenges of our time.
Newsweek, By Clay Routledge & Gonzalo Schwarz | March 20, 2024
America’s Hopelessness Crisis May Have Less to Do with The Economy and More to Do with Gen Z’s Mental Health, New Survey Shows
Americans have a long reputation for being hopeful. The United States is often characterized by its can-do attitude and the pursuit of the American Dream–the idea that motivated individuals have the freedom to pursue their dreams and improve life for themselves and their families. Indeed, the United States is consistently the most popular destination for people around the world looking to leave their home country.
Fortune, By Clay Routledge & Andrew Abeyta | March 4, 2024
Clay Routledge on The Power and Future of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is often considered reactionary escapism during difficult times, allowing people to forget about the current state of play. However, psychologist Clay Routledge believes it's a powerful tool that can bolster mental fortitude and emotional connections. Canvas8 spoke to him to find out more.
Canvas8, by Clay Routledge | February 2, 2024
In Defense of Nostalgia
Why rewatching "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" is actually good for you.
Nostalgia has taken over our culture. The top-grossing movies of 2023 were "Barbie" and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." "Hogwarts Legacy" and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" were two of the most successful video games of the year. In a report for advertisers about 2023 listening trends, Spotify identified nostalgia as a powerful driver of music engagement, especially among teenagers — it said Gen Zers spent significantly more time listening to older artists last year than they did in 2022.
Business Insider, by Clay Routledge | January 30, 2024
Nostalgia is The Greatest Gift This Holiday Season
This holiday season, don’t hesitate to revisit cherished memories and share your trip down memory lane with others. Nostalgia is a gift that will keep on giving throughout the year.
Los Angeles Daily News, by Clay Routledge | December 4, 2023
3 Ways to Build an Organizational Culture That Supports Mental Health
The cultural shift toward greater mental health awareness may also be increasing the pathologization of ordinary life, leading people to think of themselves as mentally fragile and unwell. This creates a challenge for employers.
Harvard Business Review, by Clay Routledge | November 3, 2023
The Costs of Declining Fertility go Beyond Economics
The fertility decline in the U.S. and around the world has prompted growing concern.
The Hill, by Clay Routledge & Ben Wilterdink | August 31, 2023
America’s Generational Divide Doesn’t Apply to Technology
Gen Zers and boomers share the same techno-optimism–and nostalgia.
Fortune, by Will Johnson & Clay Routledge | August 24, 2023
Mental-Health Awareness Can Be Bad for Mental Health
Rather than ruminating, turn outward and engage with the world.
Wall Street Journal, by Clay Routledge | June 11, 2023
Videos
Clay discussing the Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute