Blocking Memories From Your Mind

[fruitsalad]

do you think you can block things that happened in the past or is it just maybe they have been forgotten, Mr Fruit can remember things right back to his childhood and schooldays and he is a fair bit older than me but there are lots I don't remember from my past

[MrIncredible]

I only seem to remember all the embarrassing things I've said or done and would love to block these from my memory! unfortunately there is way to many to block!

[society]

It's common and natural for people to remember things from waaay back than for them to remember recent happenings.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure all memories are "laid down" in your brain anyway. It'd be nice to think so, but I suspect there is just too much data from a lifetime to store it all. I think we probably store a selection, and then only as much as allows you to imagine the details at the time of recall. Whether you can consciously block something is unlikely though. The more you try to block something the more you are thinking of it and reinforcing the desire to hold on to it. And even if it is stored, you need to be able to access it. My memory has always been awful, and it's got a lot worse of late. Unsure whether it's the storage or retrieval but it annoys at times.

[cupid04]

Why is it that bad memories seem to outweigh the good ones or is that just me being a pessimist?

[EvianBaby]

I don't remember some of the fairly horrible things that happened when I was younger, even to my teens. I think your mind can just block them out.

[EvianBaby]

Saying that, theres some good things I have no memory of either which really should stick in my mind.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure all memories are "laid down" in your brain anyway. It'd be nice to think so, but I suspect there is just too much data from a lifetime to store it all. I think we probably store a selection, and then only as much as allows you to imagine the details at the time of recall. Whether you can consciously block something is unlikely though. The more you try to block something the more you are thinking of it and reinforcing the desire to hold on to it. And even if it is stored, you need to be able to access it. My memory has always been awful, and it's got a lot worse of late. Unsure whether it's the storage or retrieval but it annoys at times.

[cazzz1975]

I tend to have a decent amount of general past memories, but other memories can be stirred by certain smells, old tv programmes, adverts, music or old magazines

[Wharton]

I hate it when someone comes up to me and says, "Made a right arse of yourself last night Wharton, eh?", and I don't know who they are.

[cupid04]

I'd never say that about you!!^^

[Wharton]

Aw shucks cupid pal :-)

[frugalfred]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2306078/Why-whiff-rosemary-does-help-remember.html
I tried sniffing rosemary, but she didn't like it!

[Canary42]

Are you sure it's "can't remember" fruitsalad, or just "can't recall".

It often amazes me when other people mention things which trigger off memories I had forgotten existed (if that makes sense).