Analyzing Tone in Reflective Essay Excerpt

Read the following excerpt from a reflective essay on the passage of time:

"As I gaze upon the once-vibrant photographs of my youth, I am struck not only by the carefree smiles frozen in time, but also by a deep-seated nostalgia that tugs at my heart. These images are artifacts of a time that felt infinite, yet now seem like fleeting wisps of smoke, quickly dissipating into the air. In contrast to the vibrant hues of the past, the present feels muted, a watercolor painting washed with too much water. I find myself yearning not just for those moments, but for the very essence of who I was then, alive and unburdened by the complexities of adulthood. Yet, I also understand that this longing is a double-edged sword; it paralyzes me, reminding me of the lost potential and the days that slip away like grains of sand through my fingers."