Re: Does moving away help when there are bad memories?

Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I was looking to hear what others thought about this issue, and you all didn't disappoint!

It seems we all react differently when it comes to this topic. It got me thinking about the few times I've visited the town where I spent most of my childhood. For me, my childhood, overall, wasn't happy. Yet, when I would drive by the old family home, the bad memories didn't come flooding back right away. Instead, I found myself focussing on how different the house looked and what things in the neighborhood changed and what stayed the same. Yet, at the same time, I knew that if I lingered too long, the bad memories would show up. Also, I knew that if I lived in the area as an adult, seeing these places everyday would be reminders of unhappy times.

Contrast that to revisiting places where I had happy memories. With those visits, I would find myself smiling and relating anecdotes to those along for the trip.

In conclusion---for me anyway---it would be best for me to move away as soon as it is possible for us. The memories will always be a part of my life experience---no doubt about that. Yet, by having a good physical distance from them helps keep them from cropping up too often. Tweet