Caleb - Week 13 - How documenting keeps our memories, both good and bad

    A mere 3 hours ago I stumbled upon an old composition book from my second grade class where we would have daily entries of about 2 pages on whatever we would like to write. Although I knew I should have been preparing for my POAS presentation, I took some time to look over my old writing entries and explore what I thought about as a kid. I wrote about things ranging from my adamance that aliens were real to my certainty that the warriors would win the 2015-2016 NBA championship after capping off a historic 73-9 season with a win against the grizzlies. While none of these proved to be true I still find pleasure in going back and learning about my past self. As I have grown over the years I feel like a completely different person and the ability to go back and read and notice these differences is amazing.
    The ability to be literate is a gift in itself and the access to paper and pencils to write things down is something we often take for granted. It expands our memory and can help an individual recount things to the most minute details. 
    In the instance of the Warriors 2015-2016 NBA title chances, writing things down also allows us to recall bad memories, as I wrote in my journal that I was sure the warriors were going to win the championship after going up 3-1 in the finals but we all know how that story ends. Regardless of my naive optimism at the time, the ability to be able to know what I was thinking almost nine years ago is truly amazing!

Image Credit: https://www.theswaddle.com/is-this-normal-does-writing-help-you-remember


Comments

  1. Mridula AnandMarch 25, 2025 at 11:09 PM

    Hi Caleb,
    I really like how your blog emphasizes the limitations of human memory by instead focusing on the power of literature and being able to write down our thoughts. When most of us look back around 6, 7 years back, we cannot recall much of our daily lives besides any important events that occurred. As you document your story of looking back at your feelings during 2016, it makes me first of all impressed that you still have writing from that long ago but it also really shows me how people change over time and yet how people are the same. I cannot say that I am much different from my second grade class myself. Even though in our modern age, we have phones and cameras to document what we do on a daily basis, and if we look back at these pictures they might evoke a certain feeling from that day, literature is unmatched in the way that it allows you to specifically articulate every emotion that you are going through, thanks to the concept of language as well. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog.

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  2. Durga KurupathMarch 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM

    Hey Caleb! I think your dual perspective on this topic really makes your point both complex and compelling! It's honestly so fun to look back on your past self's thoughts because it just makes you think, "Man, what was I thinking?" I also had a similar experience when I opened up my past diaries, writing assignments, and letters in a pink fluffy box with a wound-up ballerina that I stashed away in the depths of my closet. Not only did I have to relive all my cringy writing, but I learned how much I grew from that instance and how happy it made me feel knowing that I had such a fun spirit. Memories often show us a version of ourselves which we treasure and sometimes envy. Your entries were really entertaining to read and I'm sorry that you've been let down by the championship! I hope at least remembering that made you realize things change and that they'll definitely win the next one (fingers crossed)! This is a great personal story that is both impactful and heartwarming. Keep it up!

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