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How can I forget about the bad memories of my past?

281 Answers
Last Updated: 06/10/2022 at 3:29pm
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Top Rated Answers
MaxWuzHere
January 24th, 2018 5:54am
By learning to confront those memories, not repress them, and by then using that acceptance to grow.
Anonymous
December 6th, 2017 10:43pm
You can't really forget them. What you can do is choose to not let those bad memories haunt your life forever. You can choose to see the positive side of everything good or bad that has happened. You can choose to learn from those bad memories and guide others. So can choose to not let those bad memories take the best out of you and you'll see that eventually the bad memories fade away.
romanticthi3f
November 22nd, 2017 3:24am
You won't ever forget, and I'm so sorry. Bad memories of the past can be really traumatic and it's really sad that we can't just switch them off and make them go away. What we can do though is learn to process and work through the memories so that they don't impact on your life as much. Once we give them less power they can just chill out in the back of the brain as a bad memory rather than always being there reminding you.
TheHoneyDoll
September 24th, 2017 5:15am
No one can forget about bad memories. Often times, it can feel like we're constantly trimming the weeds of the past and we want to rid of them forever but the roots may always be there. It isn't about getting rid of these weeds but learning not to see them as weeds but as flowers. Many strengths, weaknesses, and more can be learned through evaluating and accepting the past. It takes a long time but it isn't impossible and with time, the pain will only hurt less.
HopeRemains
September 3rd, 2017 1:39pm
Do not forget bad memories, wounds leave scars and scars reminds us to become wise and not to open the same wound.
Anonymous
August 13th, 2017 7:25am
I believe the best way to forget the bad memories of the past is to first, take all of the lessons learned from those experiences and save them. Then, go and make new, positive ones! You can do this among supportive friends and family, and even by yourself by filling your life with new experiences, getting into new hobbies, or partaking in a new interest! In the process, I'd suggest to avoid any negativity that may trigger those bad memories to arise again (but as you know, you should avoid negativity at all costs and do what you believe is really best for you!). Stay strong.
Anonymous
May 18th, 2017 7:10pm
I find that I can move on from bad memories in two ways. First of all, I've had to learn in my own life that actually forgetting my memories isn't always possible. I take time to admit how they've affected me, but that they don't have to control me. Secondly, I focus energy on making new and positive memories.
teacuppigs69
February 11th, 2017 7:07am
Memories will always be a part of you, but it depends on how you control them. If you dont like a specific memory, simply accept it and see it as something that doesnt burden you anymore. Also, remember that things will get better, and focus on the future while accepting the past.
Anonymous
April 9th, 2015 6:08pm
Look forward towards the new experiences you have. Find the good in the new thibgs you do. It will help you a lot!!
2cupsofteaa
September 29th, 2016 5:34pm
You can never forget any type of memories from the past, as they make you who you are today. They become the stories you tell. In order to forget about the bad memories, the simplest way is to move on and heal from the past. Time is always a great catalyst to healing, but you can put in some effort by doing something you love, travel, or meeting your friends or more new people! :)
Paper0Willow
June 22nd, 2015 6:34pm
Focus on a positive future rather than looking back at what happened. If you do look back, look how far you have come!
introspect1ve
February 23rd, 2016 4:28am
Bad memories cannot always be 'forgotten', but if you try to replace a bad memory with a good one of similar nature, it may have the same effect. Try to associate certain experiences with good memories instead of bad.
onedirection1213
October 6th, 2016 5:57pm
by thinking of happy thoughts and things to come
allnaturalUnicorns70
September 30th, 2016 1:52pm
Forgetting about bad memories is difficult if not impossible for many of us. Seeing the past as what it was relative to how you've grown and improved is a way to reframe memories that don't need to be deleted, so much as managed in a way which allows you to continue to improve.
Anonymous
November 29th, 2017 6:30am
You can't forget about them. You have to face them and process them properly over time and eventually you wil move on from them. Any memory, good or bad helps us to grow.
HelpfulTeacherA10
July 25th, 2018 2:51pm
The best way to forget about a troubling past is to provide yourself with a promising future! The ‘bad’ memories in the past should be out-weighed by the ‘good’ memories to be made in th future.
danieljbuyinza
January 4th, 2016 1:00pm
I would say it's hard to forget the bad memories, seeing as they were really defining moments that really impacted your life. I think instead of trying to delete the bad memories, create great ones; do things that you really like with people whom you really like. And make it a point to do a variety of things with different people.
Forwantofasong
September 14th, 2016 11:13pm
Bad memories are very easy to get stuck in one's head. I myself have a lot of bad memories. Ultimately, I've managed to start putting my past behind me by focusing on making new, better memories, to be in my thoughts more than the bad memories. That's not to say I forget all of my bad times. I sure don't focus on them, and start each day fresh, But I keep the bad memories of my mistakes. I don't let them bother me as there's nothing I can do to change them save for making sure they don't happen again. Which is why I remember. I try to let go of a bad memory if isn't about what I'm doing right then, and it was never my fault to begin with. Ultimately, the best way to stop thinking about bad memories in general, is to hang out with a friend, or even by yourself, and do something you enjoy, so you can make some better memories and different thoughts to replace the bad ones with. It takes effort to get the ball rolling with it, but it gets easier.
FrenchToast
March 28th, 2018 6:57pm
By creating new and better memories that will push the bad ones way in the back. Memory is a strange thing. It will never go away and it will always find a way back but you must build strong, positive memories to overcome the negative ones.
SpiritualFighter
March 10th, 2018 10:15am
It can be very difficult to completely forget about bad memories of past, especially bad things happen in the teenage. The best way I feel is to get away from the negativity of the bad memory. Get away from people, place, things and thoughts associated with that event.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2017 5:14pm
You can forget about the bad memories of the past by acknowledging that these bad memories made you who you are a strong and beautiful person.
Allears247
July 25th, 2018 8:57am
Instead of forgetting them try to look back at them as life lessons with each one being a chapter in your story that strengthened, molded, shaped, and formed who you are today.
caringWings27
March 2nd, 2018 2:31pm
You can't forget the bad memories, they will always be there and always be with you. What you can do is learn to use them, draw what knowledge and wisdom you can and then leave them be. Making yourself forget something is nearly impossible and the harder you try the more intense the memory can become. The best you can do is learn to cope with them and learn from them.
Pumpkin74
February 28th, 2018 8:26am
You can never forget the past but you can accept that you can not change the past and realize that those memories do not make you who you are today! They are in the past and will be a part of your strength. You have made it past them and should remember how strong you really are!
Anonymous
July 26th, 2018 6:19pm
In a simple way, i would say that the best way to forget about bad memories is living your life and creating new memories. Commit yourself into something, a book, a hobby or something that you really enjoy. It's the best way to keep your mind away from it. Unfortunately we can't forget traumatic things that has happened in the past, it isn't easy to overcome it, but you can.
Anonymous
July 28th, 2018 6:21pm
Bad memories are lessons to some wrong deed or something that didn't happen the way they were supposed to be. Time heals everything, give yourself little time. Memories will fade. As we all make new memories everyday, some good , some bad and some goes unnoticed.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2018 6:20am
You can't necessarily forget about them, but you can leave them behind. Accept those memories as part of your past; they won't affect your life anymore. If you put your mind to it, you'll eventually accept them as part of your story and move on from them.
BellaStorm17
February 22nd, 2018 7:04am
Forgetting bad memories is not easy,but as time passes,they will be replaced with new memories and we will cease to think of the bad ones.
lunarprincess11
October 14th, 2016 11:52am
why do you need to forget them? keep them in your mind as a lesson and learn from it everyday :) only that way you can grow :D
ASilentObserver
July 15th, 2017 4:41am
Actually, one never forget bad memories, it is just one learn to live with it with the time. So, don't think or make efforts to forget it, because you can't. Instead, accept it and focus on good and positive memories and your future goals and commitments. So, that you stay engaged and get less chance to dwell in those bad memories.