5 Reasons You Should Write Down Your Favorite Memories
Memories fade out, and as time passes by we forget more and more. Eventually, we can remember certain moments only when somebody else mentions it or brings it up. And they are a funny thing because the unpleasant memories seem to stick with us longer than the good ones.
You’re most likely to remember negative memories more vividly than the pleasant ones of the same time. That’s why writing down your favorite memories is a therapeutic way to improve your mood by putting pleasant memories into perspective. Take a look at these five reasons you should write down your favorite memories.
1. Memories fade
Our brain has a complicated structure we still don’t fully understand. And we know that synapses in our brain weaken or strengthen depending on the emotional intensity at the given moment. One thing we know for sure is that we have a limited memory capacity. This is why we are bound to remember the extremes of emotions of a moment. They strengthen it in our memory, while the less extreme ones fade in time.
2. Your mind can play tricks on you
Our minds often play tricks on us. We are cognitive beings that grow and learn with our senses, but we are also limited by them. Traumatic moments and highly emotional situations can force your brain to push out or completely alter the memory of it. This a defensive mechanism forced by your brain, one that you have no control over.
3. You’ll have cool stories to pass on to the future generations
“Sit down kids and let me tell you a story. When I was in high school, I used to go out with this cheerleader Sally… or was it Jenny?” Well, you get the point here. I’m sure you had an opportunity to meet up with old friends and hear some cool stories about yourself – stories that you’ve completely forgotten about and felt bad for it. Write them down. Someone would love to hear them.
4. It won’t take you more than 10 minutes a day
Although you may think of it as a bother, it actually isn’t. A single memory a day makes 365 memories a year. That’s 3650 memories in a decade and around 30,000 in an average lifetime. That will give you a whole lifetime of data, a roadmap of your ups and downs, a collection of your actions and reactions. It’s worth the time.
5. Because your family has a history of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder. What’s even more frightening is that is inherent. People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease progressively lose their memories. In its early stages, you will start forgetting small things like where did you put your keys, but later, you may forget important parts of your life history. That’s why you need to start writing down your memories from early on.
Whenever you feel sad, nostalgic, or overwhelmed, writing down your favorite memories can help you get up and change your outlook on life. There are so many great things you’ve experienced in your life and by remembering them, the future will seem less daunting. Then, you will know that there are more memories to come, waiting to be written down.
