I grew up with XP as well, and while I'm still nostalgic for it, it just feels kinda flat compared to the vista/7 aero theme. Not really boring, but not as interesting as aero imo. Still a vibe though.
You miss who you were when everything looked like this.
You were young, you were discovering the internet like a new frontier, every new app you tried or new album you found or new comedy website was like discovering a new country. You could while away hours without responsibility or care or trauma, or at least nearly as much. You were not cynical and jaded yet.
Nostalgia isn't a longing for when things were simpler, it is a longing for when you were simpler.
Yes. I understand that and I'm well aware of what you're describing, that is why I said I try not to let my nostalgia get the better of me.
I'm saying I enjoy this aesthetic mainly for nostalgic reasons. I am not necessarily saying this is superior to current aesthetics. I do miss this era, yes, and you are correct that is more about me than the aesthetic itself.
That doesn't mean this isn't beautiful or pleasant in some way, and I don't think it's wrong to enjoy or explore older aesthetics even if it's out of nostalgia.
I realize the way my comment was worded made it seem like a comment about the era rather than the aesthetic.
Edit: contradicted myself there. Sorry, it's kinda hard to get a consistent thought out on mobile.