We may only remember a very small percentage of specific memories (sound, vision, touch, taste, etc..), but wouldn't it be fair to say that everything we have experienced is somehow stored in us, although we are not able to consciously recall some of these memories? Maybe the term "remember" is too narrowly used. For example, if someone throws a ball at me, I will be able to react fast and catch it. However, there is no way in hell that I can remember the specific moment when I was able to do this. This muscle memory has been built over time from every instance of having to use the muscle to produce a "positive" outcome (catch the ball and avoid being hit in the face). How can we separate these types of memories? Is it even possible?
Really love your thoughts on this washedup. To some degree, I'm sure you're right. There are different types of memories than just conscious memories. This became quite evident to me when I was talking to a friend about her childhood. She was saying that she sometimes gets negative and positive feelings in certain situations that she thinks are connected to events in her early years of life that she can't remember or explain. I'm sure this happens to me to without me even realizing! I bet a ton of subconscious memory is stored, especially from our very first experiences in life. I'm not sure. When I was writing this post my mind was focused on conscious memories and how we can better actually remember our own lives. I would love to do more research on the topic though. Love the questions!wouldn't it be fair to say that everything we have experienced is somehow stored in us, although we are not able to consciously recall some of these memories?
How can we separate these types of memories? Is it even possible?