Why do you remember some things for years, but forget things from yesterday?

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   BSloanposted 11 years ago

   Why do you remember some things for years, but forget things from yesterday?
   
   I'm curious to know why it's so easy to rememer things from my childhood and 10 years ago so easily but sometimes forget simple details from yesterday.
   
   

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2. 60

   Johnjfernandoposted 11 years ago

   you need to relax. calm down, listen to some feel good music. if its serious, go to the doctor and get a CT scan. a lot stress and and bad thoughts or repressed memories can take a serious toll on your mind, especially if your trying to remember something simple. Nonetheless, its just been stressful for you for a week or a day. Taking it easy is the first step.

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3. 0

   shazwellynposted 11 years ago

   Because some experiences have more of a profound effect than others.  The brain has a wonderful filter system that helps us to keep what is relevant and dismiss what is irrelevant.  For example, when driving, people can journey on automatic pilot, so to speak.  They may forget the journey, but if there is something profoundly different, like a car accident or a flashing ambulance for example, whilst on route, they will remember.
   
   Our brains are so complex that even if we are on 'automatic pilot', if something urgently needed recalling, we may even be able to remember parts of the information - the need for a police description of a car comes to mind as an example.  It is possible that this sort of information can be remembered because we actively 'rack our brains' to find it.
   
   Long term memory is often a product of some pleasureable or traumatic experience.  Experience triggers chemical reactions in the brain which, sort of, etches to create pathways.  The more the experience happens, the deeper the etching, if you like. 
   
   Memories, of course, can be subject to change, depending on our perception of reality.  We often think that years ago, the sun was brighter and the grass was greener, but this might just be reminising and exaggerating the reality.
   
   The truth is... what is your truth for this has an impact upon what and how you remember?
   
   Hope this brief explanation provides added value to your question.

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4. 0

   Mountain_Roseposted 11 years ago

   I think that shazwellyn has it right. There are things that happen in life that effect your mind more profoundly than others and thus, your memory holds onto them. We are complicated creatures by nature, more so than most other species and events throughout our life mold who we become. Every day, mundane things generally won't be retained in our memories because they are repetitive and most often times...boring. LOL

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5. 0

   msorenssonposted 11 years ago

   There is long term memory and there is short term memory...
   Short term memory is as it implies...
   
   The analogy would be in short term memory, you have started to dig a ditch..
   In long term memory, you have built it.
   
   This site is a good presentation about the brain
   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain/BN00033

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6. 60

   crystaleyesposted 11 years ago

   Our Subconscious mind prioritizes things that we experience everyday. Whichever is important / or has a deeper impact on the brain, we remember, and whichever is not important is omitted by it, and duly forgotten. I agree with shazwellyn completely..

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