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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
SupportiveSockMonkey
April 18th, 2018 8:16pm
You may not be able to forget, with time details may become more vague but it's more important to forgive or at least accept the past rather than forget.
Butterfly121
November 3rd, 2016 9:34pm
I dont think its really possible to completely forget about bad memories and experiences from your past, but try to learn what you can from them and progress from them in a positive way, however that takes shape.
Anonymous
April 15th, 2018 3:19am
What I tell myself is that "You can not live in your past and you cant live in the present. You need to live for today and forget those bad memories and create new amazing memories and continue to love yourself each and everyday
TheTripleS719
September 19th, 2016 10:08pm
Forgetting is next to impossible. But you can let go of the pain your past is causing you to feel. Each moment in your past that causes you pain, there's someone or something that hurt you in some way. Forgive them; forgiveness is key to everything. Forgive but never forget, because it definitely teaches some valuable lessons.
helenzhang19
April 12th, 2018 2:19pm
I don't think we could ever forget our past, but you can let it control you or take control of it. You have to understand that it all happened for a reason, and find and learn what the lesson is. So when you look back at it again, it will just be a reminder of how far you've gone and how much stronger it has made you
Saifbeinghelper
April 4th, 2018 1:22pm
it is bad memories because you have misinterpreted it that it is bad. of course it was emotional trouble but if you are feeling guilty about that , then it is untrue and if you are feeling bad about your past circumstances like relationship , finance , job , education etc. and if you are feeling guilt , regression , worried about that then do not forget it , try to remember the situation as a whole and interpret the reality as it is with the help of a friend . because we often misinterpret the reality and this will help you to ease your bad emotions but it will always be your memory which would be not bothering you anymore. thank you.
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.
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.
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.
Anonymous
July 3rd, 2018 7:04am
A tool that has worked for forgetting my past is focusin on what is happening here, In this moment.
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.
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
HawaiianAir
April 28th, 2016 7:29pm
I've often wondered how I can forget the past and bad memories that can come along with it. Unfortunately, this is impossible. A part of you will always remember some of the bad or traumatic things that may have happened in your past. However, the good news is that it won't hurt as much, and with time, the memories will fade and won't be as vivid. Given enough time, you will only remember these things once in a while. It gets easier to forget your past as time passes by. All things will pass. : )
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Returncontrol2u
July 22nd, 2020 12:13am
Many of us struggle with forgetting things. Some more where are my keys or what did I study last night before the test. Others are things we would prefer to forget but pop up anyway. Some suggest it is a subconscious drive to handle unfinished emotional issues. Others suggest it is a defense mechanism to prevent us from making a similar action that hurts us. Either way it is our brain bringing to the front what it wants us to see. I suggest two things, one is to find a sense of security around the issue. Tell your self and prove to yourself that it is not going to happen again. Second overlay good memories that reward your brain so the negative ones are reduced in importance. Both take time and careful attention to not create a worse situation or lose touch with what is real in your world. Guidance by a councilor is advised in my opinion, and patience, lots of patience.
Anonymous
September 10th, 2020 8:41pm
One of the best ways to forget negative memories is to replace the bad memories with good ones. For example, I failed my driving test the first time I took it, and it left me with a negative memory. The best way for me to forget it is to take the test again and remember that I will pass, even though it may not be immediately. If you are met with a bad memory that cannot be redone, try to distract yourself with positive activities and energy. It is helpful to have a support system of friends and family that can assist you in establishing new, good memories. You can take small steps in this direction in order to add more positive energy to your life every day.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2020 11:24pm
You can forget about the bad memories of your past by focusing on the good memories and try to distract your mind from negative thoughts. Using some techniques like staying positive and do the things that make you happy. By focusing on good things and try to be happy you feel that you are distracted and have better control of your mind. Avoiding the things that trigger the bad memories and pay attention to what you like to do will help to stay away from bad memories. Also talking to a therapist and learn the coping skills will be another way to forget about the bad memories of your past.
danidani7
September 3rd, 2020 2:45am
I think that there is no way to "forget" bad memories. Hear me out! While there is a way to bury that bad memory and forget about it for a while, it will always come back and haunt you, stronger than ever. So, I think the key here is not to forget, but to overcome. If you made a bad decision, you learned from it and grew wiser. If a tramatic event happened, it wasn't your fault, and it does not define you. But you need to face it. You must look at it in the eye and say "That is not who I am. It does not define me, and never will".
aLightInTheDark3
August 21st, 2020 10:39am
You don't have to forget them, infact I don't even believe that that's possible. But it is a good thing to try to accept them. Talking to others about those memories is a good way, or maybe writing about them. Finding something that you can let your emotions out about that past situation is a great way to do that! Once you accept them you will have a better relationship with acceptance and that specific memory. It is kind of the same thing like forgive and forget. You have to forgive somone, in order to forget whatever has happend. I wish you the best of luck!
TheCatcherInTheRye93
September 13th, 2020 2:41am
Often when we think about our past experiences bring us the same pain as if it was happening again at that moment. Past is in the past and its over and it doesn't have affect on us now unless we let it affect us in this moment. Talking, journaling about it, making new beliefs about it or simple techniques that you can find online will help you solve that issues and you will see next time when you remember it it will be just a simple memory and not something that is defining or affecting us in some way in the present.