I realized that all of these upcoming "anniversaries" of bad memories are opportunities.

[Denninmi]

I have been dreading some of these days and dates upcoming. Maybe it's just how my mind works, but I tend to recall events in pretty vivid detail on "anniversaries".

Then, the other day, it occurred to me, each of these days is an opportunity not to wallow in sorrow, but to turn it around completely and bask in victory. I will do everything possible to be good to myself, to be strong, and to make new, happy memories.

And that in an nutshell is my entire approach to this whole thing -- tell it to fuck off and leave me alone with my "new self' who is a strong, happy, confident guy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That's the ticket, my dear Denninmi!

You. Can. Do. It.

[Locut0s]

2. Good plan!...

My memory is something of the opposite. I've had an avoidant personality most of my life and this includes my memory as well. I just don't seem to form very strong long term memories of bad events. You could say that's a good thing. I suppose it's certainly better than being haunted by bad memories, I'm sorry you seem to be, but it has some pretty big negative down sides. For examples I had a horrible time all through school from K through grade 10 when I dropped out for a year, 11 and 12 were good. As a result I really can't remember much of anything from all those years. It's kind of just 10 years or so of foggy uncertainty, and unhappiness, punctuated with a few sharp moments here and there. But there were times years before when I was much happier, but much younger, that I remember as sharp as a tack.