Hello. I was hoping to get some advice about remembering my childhood. I can only recall certain little things from when I was about 11 years old but anything below 4th grade is almost completely blank. My mother has told me about many experiences that my family has gone through but I can't seem to remember some of them at all. I just wanted to see if anyone has advice for me to be able to remember at least a little bit of my lost time. If anyone has some ideas for me I'll be here. Tyvm.
Can't Remember My Childhood
- Thread starter Delrake
- Start date
I also have the same issue, most of my childhood I don't remember or if I have memories they are like snapshots or photos with very little emotion tied to them. What I've found helpful is a combination of doing the Work in the spirit of this forum i.e. practicing self-remembering, external consideration, etc., doing EE on a regular basis, and taking time to examine whatever issues you have that may be related to childhood, either through meditation or maybe during a physical activity such as gardening, running, or bicycling. The memories themselves are not exactly flooding in for me, but in a roundabout way I was able to see some things and understand my childhood better. Another option could be regressive hypnosis, although I haven't been able to try that and see how helpful it would be.
DHTH
Padawan Learner
Hi Delrake,
It's a bit funny, I have the exact same thing going on here. I can't remember almost a single thing from my childhood either, but I have experienced some development in past memory after periods of intensive practice of EE and sessions of just sitting alone in silence and focus on the very little memory I have certain things from childhood.
If you look at it from a "mental" point of view, it could be the brain trying to keep it that way for some reason. I don't know really, but maybe someone has a clue how to remember better?
It's a bit funny, I have the exact same thing going on here. I can't remember almost a single thing from my childhood either, but I have experienced some development in past memory after periods of intensive practice of EE and sessions of just sitting alone in silence and focus on the very little memory I have certain things from childhood.
If you look at it from a "mental" point of view, it could be the brain trying to keep it that way for some reason. I don't know really, but maybe someone has a clue how to remember better?
Hi Delrake
You may like too read 'Myth of Sanity' by Martha Stout, one of the recommended books to read, for an explanation of possible cause. It helped me a lot, as like you, possibly worse, I have almost zero recollection of a great deal of my past, not just childhood.
Also, you may like to read the Redirect thread - in particular the point of writing for healing (Pennebaker's exercise), many people, including myself, have found this a rewarding experience.
You may like too read 'Myth of Sanity' by Martha Stout, one of the recommended books to read, for an explanation of possible cause. It helped me a lot, as like you, possibly worse, I have almost zero recollection of a great deal of my past, not just childhood.
Also, you may like to read the Redirect thread - in particular the point of writing for healing (Pennebaker's exercise), many people, including myself, have found this a rewarding experience.
Prodigal Son said:
What Prodigal said above is what I was thinking when reading your question. Perhaps writing about the earliest things you can remember, even if painful, may be initial steps leading further back and contribute in some remembering and healing.
Sometimes odd things will trigger a memory otherwise not available, like smelling something, hearing music, somebody saying something, etc. My suggestion would be to keep a notebook available and each and every time something is recalled, write it down. You can also think about what little memory you have before you go to sleep with the intent of remembering more. Then if you have any dreams, write them down.
Another useful thing is to start writing your "life story" (just for yourself though you might imagine some person in the future reading it so as to make it clear and understandable) starting with the memory you do have. Surprisingly, once such a flow gets stimulated, very often, a lot more opens up.
It's also helpful to do this writing by hand. For some reason, it allows things that are forgotten to emerge more easily.
Another useful thing is to start writing your "life story" (just for yourself though you might imagine some person in the future reading it so as to make it clear and understandable) starting with the memory you do have. Surprisingly, once such a flow gets stimulated, very often, a lot more opens up.
It's also helpful to do this writing by hand. For some reason, it allows things that are forgotten to emerge more easily.
melatonin
Jedi Master
Hi Delrake,
Im seeing a hypnotherapist and having regressive hypnosis. This is because i went through trauma. (Im not suggesting you did)
Just wanted to say that ive purged alot, and learnt alot about myself during the time ive had it. Ive realised that most of my emotional responses and thoughts are very childlike.
Healing is a life long journey, and its one of many tools, (along with diet) but it's certainly is a key to opening doors.
Edited - One word missing.
Im seeing a hypnotherapist and having regressive hypnosis. This is because i went through trauma. (Im not suggesting you did)
Just wanted to say that ive purged alot, and learnt alot about myself during the time ive had it. Ive realised that most of my emotional responses and thoughts are very childlike.
Healing is a life long journey, and its one of many tools, (along with diet) but it's certainly is a key to opening doors.
Edited - One word missing.
Stellaria_graminea
Padawan Learner
I have recalled old memories from looking at photographs. For example, I found a photo containing a table in our garden taken many years ago, and I remembered myself as small, not taller than the table, and more from that time.
If I think of a memory, I often also recall more that happened at the same time, or similar things. Sometimes, if I think of something in the evening, I can remember more the next morning.
For some reason I remember rather much, while my siblings remember almost nothing. I do not know why that is so different.
If I think of a memory, I often also recall more that happened at the same time, or similar things. Sometimes, if I think of something in the evening, I can remember more the next morning.
For some reason I remember rather much, while my siblings remember almost nothing. I do not know why that is so different.
Apart from all the things listed by others, do you ever talk to others about their own childhood? Sometimes their stories can bring something up to the surface. And if nothing else, it might help you understand others better. Reading novels or autobiographies can help too.
When you notice some automatic reaction/program in you, you can meditate on that and ask very specifically: "I want to know its root." I've have some memories come back with this little exercise.
All in all, it is probably a defense mechanism, so I think we need to go about it slowly, giving time for adjustments to those memories that resurface, and to understand what consequences they have in the present. But don't worry if you can't remember it all/most of it. The present is still a very good place to start observing yourself. The more you dig, the more you find out, and you might start remembering things naturally, when you are ready to do so.
When you notice some automatic reaction/program in you, you can meditate on that and ask very specifically: "I want to know its root." I've have some memories come back with this little exercise.
All in all, it is probably a defense mechanism, so I think we need to go about it slowly, giving time for adjustments to those memories that resurface, and to understand what consequences they have in the present. But don't worry if you can't remember it all/most of it. The present is still a very good place to start observing yourself. The more you dig, the more you find out, and you might start remembering things naturally, when you are ready to do so.
Mrs.Tigersoap
The Living Force
I can remember a lot from my childhood but I do have gaps. One thing I noticed is that several years ago, when I was having regular bodywork sessions (different techniques), many things I had forgotten came back. Many silly details but these enabled me to remember more. And the same happened since with EE, as Heimdallr was suggesting. So I think that peeling the layers, letting go, gently working on traumas and dealing with one's stress can really help in that respect osit.
