20 August 2008

Maybe I'm Crazy

Or maybe this happens to everyone. You tell me.

As I go about my regular day, different things become 'memory triggers.'
As I'm brushing my teeth, for example, I'll remember an incident almost ten years ago very vividly. The same thing will happen a few days (or weeks) in a row.
As I go to scratch my ear at some point during the day, I'll remember going to a particular restaurant on a particular occasion. The same memory will jump to the same trigger for a while.
As I go about my editing job, the same phrase on the questionnaire will make me recall one moment at a part-time job fifteen years ago. I'll find my mind there each time I look at that field for quite a few hours of work.

I have a lot of these, and it used to really worry me. I'd lose focus on what I was actually doing and be instantly sucked into the past, into the full feeling of the memory. I can remember different parts of different memories more vividly. Sometimes I distinctly recall the smell, other times it's the way I felt or what I saw. I used to worry about it, but now I just accept it. I keep thinking I should start putting the memories down in writing, to see if it would stop the powerful flashbacks, but I haven't so far.

Seriously, am I the only one living through this, or is everyone around me checking out of the present and into the past on a regular basis?

8 comments:

gail said...

I have triggers like that. Certain smells. That kind of stuff. It's not just you.

Tammy said...

I have these triggers too! A lot of mine have to do with my mom and dad now that they are gone, little thinks will bring back all kinds of memories.

Hf said...

i thought i was the only one :) dh says i remember the funkiest stuff.

Michelle said...

This happens to me all the time. No need to worry. I think it's normal. LOL!!

Anonymous said...

I've had two recent trips to the past and I had no idea what was going on in my head to trigger them. One happened when I was in the car with my husband and referred to myself by my maiden name (we've been married 11 years!) and the other happened when I was giving our address to someone and started reciting the address of a place we moved out of seven years ago. It was crazy and they happened within days of each other.

Anonymous said...

I heard it only gets worse as we get older. I am getting use to it. It is funny how I can't remember the things I would like to but I remember crazy things.

Kateedyd said...

I think it does get worse as you get older...but it happens to me too. Gosh, I didn't think I was that old. LOL!

siteseer said...

Of course it happens more as we get older!! We have so many more memories. Sounds and smells really set me into that mode. I actually try to remember some things like that. I'll bring back a memory of the wind passing through the prairie grasses and it is so peaceful and calming. It's great to be able to do it on command.