Our Early Memories Don’t Explain Who We Are

But They Might Have Determined It

Image by Lucija Rasonja

Prehistorical Flashes

Our early memories are random flashes of light in a pool of darkness. I often establish the beginning of my memory at around the age of seven. However, I remember events from years before that. Those prior events, though, are a personal pre-history of sorts. They are disconnected dots that can hardly constitute patterns. I can establish that I was somewhere and with someone, but I cannot judge the significance of each moment or person, especially in relation to other moments and people. From around the age of seven, events start to link up and form a narrative that, for better or worse, attains a degree of logic.

Raw Material

I don’t think these early memories have a major incidence on our taste or preferences, perhaps not even on our personality. That said, I believe they shape our character, nature and essence. If our parents were overprotective, we are likely to be more easily scared and less adventurous. If we witnessed violence, we might react aggressively to triggers beyond our understanding. If we were loved, it might be our natural inclination to be loving. Granted, our upbringing later will play an even more significant role in the person we become, but some traits are defined before our awareness begins. If…