Our Memories Lie to Us

What We Remember Is Often Not What Actually Happened

“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.”

― Marcel Proust

In a world of supposed fake news, alternative facts, skewed polls, and misremembered anecdotes, it can sometimes be difficult to know what is real and what is not.

Yet, we’re all sure of what’s in our own heads. Right?

Not quite.

Have you ever known two people that were relieved, even ecstatic, to end a relationship only to see them get back together a few months later? How about people that divorce but then get married again?

Have you ever lost touch with a friend, then reconnected later only to realize that there was a reason the two of you lost touch in the first place? It ended for a reason. Why did we think it would be different this time?

Have you ever been desperate to leave a job or a school that you hated, but after a few years find yourself nostalgic for the rare good times and good people, failing to understand why you thought it was so bad in the moment?