The social tones of nostalgia are well known to researchers, but its effect on social relationships is less understood. In previous research, my colleagues and I found that, during the COVID pandemic, people often turned to music that triggered nostalgic feelings when they felt lonely and lacked social contact while in lockdown. Similar patterns appeared in the selection of other leisure activities, such as classic TV shows, traditional board games and other familiar favorites. People seem to find solace in nostalgia when they are disconnected from others.