Are childhood memories accurate?

            Memories are something every human being has.  Some of us might not remember as much as others, but all human beings have memories of some kind.  For a lot of us, our memories can become quite fuzzy as time goes on.  Important memories from the past will still stand out, but they might get fuzzier the older they are.  Memories can be triggered by simply thinking about them or being reminded of them, and it can be hard to know if they are truly accurate or not.  As far as childhood memories go, whether they are happy or not impacts the accuracy that is left in our minds. 

            Unhappy memories have a way of leaving a mark on our minds that can last for quite a while. Depending on the severity of what happened, difficult memories can stay with people forever.  We have to keep in mind that childhood memories are experienced as a child rather than adult eyes.  For example, if I was lost from my parents for 30 seconds as a child, that could easily be traumatic and leave a mark in my mind that it was much longer.  As an adult, being lost for 30 seconds would likely not leave that same mark.  Therefore, it is important to consider the lens of yourself as a child when you think of certain unhappy memories from your childhood. 

            Happy memories typically leave less mark depending on the amount of happiness you felt in the specific memory.  Monumental occasions will likely leave more of a mark of accuracy than a fleeting happy moment.  Some people might even get down because they cannot remember certain happy memories so well, but that is where pictures and talking with others can help.  Sometimes looking at pictures from those memories and/or talking with people there can help piece together what the memory was truly like. 

            Whether happy or unhappy, it can be helpful to think about certain memories that seem to stand out from time to time.  Finding out from others if they are truly accurate can be helpful but if you can’t find out if they are accurate, try to affirm them and focus on the impact the memories have on your life today.