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Original poster

Does anyone else remember so little about their life?

126 replies

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 14:02

It worries me sometimes.

I have hardly any memories especially of childhood.

An old school friend is currently cleaning out her parents loft and is tagging me in a sorts of childhood photos, things that look like school events and trips, plays.

I’m there, sometimes dressed up in costumes but I have no memory of the event at all. It could be someone else.

I have this all the time. Cleaning out my loft once I found old tickets for gigs. I saw Blur and Greenday in the 90s - cannot remember seeing them but when I asked the friend I would have gone with she looked at me like I was crazy and couldn’t believe I didn’t remember (I was 15, too young to have been out of it on anything!)

Why don’t I remember things?

OP posts:

Deathraystare · 28/03/2023 14:39

I don't remember my 30's or 40's! Not due to drugs I assure you!!!

Chipsdontlie · 28/03/2023 14:41

I have blank periods of my life with no recollection of trips, events etc. I can't remember much of my daughter's childhood either. It infuriates my husband when he talks about things we've done and I look at him blankly.

7Worfs · 28/03/2023 14:43

Ha, I know which gigs I’ve been to, but can barely muster 1-2 vague moments. No alcohol or drug use, I just don’t have a strong memory for events. Could be that events made me nervous and that impacts how much I actually perceive, enough to make a permanent memory 🤷‍♀️

Chipsdontlie · 28/03/2023 14:46

I'm not very sentimental and also tend to compartmentalise things. I also switch off to anything that creates strong emotions so put the lack of recollection down to that.

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 14:48

It’s infuriating sometimes though.

And I find it so odd when I see photos of myself and I can’t place it at all.

Or when people tell me funny things did or said and I am just sitting there feeling confused with no recollection.

OP posts:

Shininghope · 28/03/2023 14:50

A lot of people do have this, you’re not alone. It’s common in people that have ADHD or ASD
if that connects with you.

Disneyforaweek · 28/03/2023 14:50

I have this as well, like the pp said I'm also not very sentimental so maybe that's part of it

I met up with an old school friend a while ago and she kept trying to reminisce about things and I just couldn't remember anything she was talking about it was quite awkward!

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 14:50

Chipsdontlie · 28/03/2023 14:46

I'm not very sentimental and also tend to compartmentalise things. I also switch off to anything that creates strong emotions so put the lack of recollection down to that.

Yes that might be it.

My mum died when I was 11. The only thing I remember about her funeral was the absolute shame and embarrassment that some teachers from my school were there. I have no recollection of the service or burial. I figure I blocked that out though.

OP posts:

MarchMadness23 · 28/03/2023 14:50

I am exactly the same!!

i HATE it & it makes me incredibly sad 🥲

it's the first time I've met someone the same.

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 14:53

I have always tried to mitigate it since I’ve had children by taking thousands of photos and videos of them. I take photos all the time, even if the mundane things.

Because I know I won’t remember so much of it.

OP posts:

sunshinesupermum · 28/03/2023 14:54

I'm the same OP. Most frustrating isn't it.🤔

FloorWipes · 28/03/2023 14:54

I'm sure I've seen this come up on mumsnet before as well as in other places. I feel like it's something people don't talk about enough as there is clearly a huge variation across people.

I definitely hbave a far inferior memory to my school friends of what went on at school, for example. I very often do not recall what they are referring to, while some people can remember specific days, which seems incredible.

I don't think it's worrying as I don't think it's due to there being anything wrong, but I do find it annoying and upsetting in other ways.

PerrinAybara · 28/03/2023 14:54

DD often asks me to tell her stories of my childhood. I've managed a handful but she keeps asking for more. I've dug deep into my memory and have pulled out... nothing.

I thought it was just me.

deplorabelle · 28/03/2023 14:54

My husband's family have always been like it. I used to remember everything but lost this ability in the sleep deprived baby years. I keep thinking o ought to keep a diary but I'm scared to start in case or makes me feel sadder

BobcatDreams · 28/03/2023 14:56

Perfectly normal, I'd forgotten I'd seen The Communards in concert, which would be ok but I've only seen 3 bands in my entire life (We'll as far as I know LOL)
A few years ago I looked at a Facebook reunion page for my school, people from my registration class were full of stories "Do you remember when so and so did this?"
I thought no I don't remember your stories or even most of you for that matter.
The funniest was in receiving long forgotten things from my early adulthood I'd discovered I'd joined the communist party and went to a few meetings. 😆

Greensleevevssnotnose · 28/03/2023 14:56

I don't remember stuff either. I think it's down to childhood trauma and adult PTSD but others find it weird. It's normal for me

Goodread1 · 28/03/2023 14:58

It can be a trauma response to a extremely difficult confusing childhoods

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 14:59

Greensleevevssnotnose · 28/03/2023 14:56

I don't remember stuff either. I think it's down to childhood trauma and adult PTSD but others find it weird. It's normal for me

I was wondering if that was the reason for me.

My childhood was traumatic and I have PTSD from something in my early 20s and to be honest, life has been difficult and stressful.

OP posts:

Tessisme · 28/03/2023 15:00

I've forgotten what this thread is about🤣

Goodread1 · 28/03/2023 15:01

Complex Post traumatic childhood syndrome

Post Adult traumatic syndrome
Shitty childhoods experiences

SeeWhatYouGetWhenYouAskAStupidQuestion · 28/03/2023 15:01

I'm the same - whole chunks of memories about my life are "missing". I'm nearly 64, have had a stroke (95% back to what I was), but it's frustrating that I can't remember a lot of things (some even from 2 weeks ago). I now write everything down, no matter how trivial.

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 15:01

BobcatDreams · 28/03/2023 14:56

Yes,

I went to a school reunion a while back.They were all reminiscing about the
school song (nope, no clue), teachers, school trips. It was like an out of body experience, I felt like I had wandered into the wrong school 🤣

OP posts:

TokenGinger · 28/03/2023 15:02

I'm the same. I have a very poor memory. My childhood friends will talk about things that happened when we were younger and I don't have a clue what they're talking about!

TokenGinger · 28/03/2023 15:03

I strongly believe I have ADHD, undiagnosed, though and I believe it's a common trait.

Original poster

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 15:04

TokenGinger · 28/03/2023 15:03

I strongly believe I have ADHD, undiagnosed, though and I believe it's a common trait.

Yes, I have often thought the same of myself.

I didn’t realise it was a trait though.

I’m still glad it’s just not me. Anyone I mention it to looks at me like I’m crazy.

OP posts:

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