The Mutable Nature of Memory: How Our Minds Shape the Past to Guide the Future
Memory: A Living Story, Not a Perfect Record
We like to think of memory as a flawless recording of the past, but in reality, it is a fluid, ever-changing process shaped by emotion, meaning, and survival instincts. Each time we recall an event, we reconstruct it—sometimes altering details, filling in gaps, or even creating false memories. Trauma can disrupt this process, leaving memories fragmented, intrusive, or difficult to integrate, contributing to PTSD. Yet, memory is not meant to trap us in the past—it exists to guide our future, helping us learn, grow, and navigate life with greater awareness. By understanding memory’s mutability, we can reshape our narratives, turning even painful experiences into sources of wisdom and resilience.
The Safety of Sadness
Everyone of us has experienced sadness at some point in their life, often when something we cared for is lost to us – a person, a pet, a part of our life, a part of ourselves even.
These events can very easily move us off balance, cause a feeling of sadness and in more significant cases a prolonged depression of mood and motivation. As painful as these periods can be, it is helpful to understand something of why our bodies react in this way.
This place of stuckness can be unbelievably painful for people. But with the right support, people can find their way out, to reengage with life and the fullness of what it has to offer - and what they have to offer it.