Is it normal that i've never remembered anything before i was 3 years old?

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17 Comments

Thinking back, I've slowly forgotten much of my childhood, there's bits and pieces that I remember... however, much of it has been seemingly removed from my memory.

I also tend to somehow consciously know that I used to remember that stuff. Somehow I'm able to realize that it used to be a memory, and I have simply forgot it. I think all of that is pretty normal.

However, the weird part of all of this is... I distinctly remember my "first memory". It was at age 3, and I distinctly remember first being aware of things after that moment.
Before that point, everything in my memory is completely blank, and I get the sense that I never was really aware of anything back then... even though I must have learned how to speak, how to walk, all of these things. I just can't remember learning any of them.

Is it like this for anybody else, or am I just weird or something?

Is It Normal?
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Comments ( 17 ) Sort: best | oldest
  • anti-hero
    9 years ago | pl

    No shit nobody does.

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    • [Old Memory]
      9 years ago | pl

      I do

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      • anti-hero
        9 years ago | pl

        Exception, not the rule though.

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      • pleasedtomeetyou
        9 years ago | pl

        What age can you remember back to in photographic detail? It's actually not possible to remember earlier than age 2 1/2 as the hippocampus isn't developed at that stage of life and that's how memories are retained/stored. The only ability linking to memory before the age of 2 and a half are sensations and not visuals. So if you do think you have "visual" memories before age 2 1/2-3, they aren't real.

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        • [Old Memory]
          9 years ago | pl

          I have absolutely no way to prove this of course but I can explain how I remember these sorts of things. I will admit I seem to have false memories about all kind of things although I think I seem to be in tune with a collective consciousness.

          However the memories I have of 2 and before match what other people such as my parents have reported.

          What I've always done is if I remember something, I try to remember it just for then. I've known this for as long as I can remember. It is instinctive for me.

          So if I remembered my 2nd birthday when I was 3 and I remembered remembering it when I was 4 and so on, I can therefore keep the memory for good. It's as simple as that.

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    • Something_Recognizable.
      9 years ago | pl

      Oh shit, We got us a scientist in here!

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  • (.)(.)boobies
    9 years ago | pl

    I think this is what you're referring to:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_amnesia#Neurological

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  • charli.m
    9 years ago | pl

    It's something to do with how memories are coded in your brain or something.

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  • iEatZombies_
    9 years ago | pl

    My earliest memory is from when I was 4. There are two memories, actually. After that, I vaguely remember kindergarten. I remember being happy on my first day, rather than crying. Otherwise I remember nothing before 6 years old. Those three memories were very significant to me, though.

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  • sega31098
    9 years ago | pl

    Same here.

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  • TheArBuilder
    9 years ago | pl

    Duh, I don"t remember anything before 6!

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  • ines123
    9 years ago | pl

    i thank god that i don't remember how i got out from my mom's vag

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago | pl

    This seems to be really common.

    I actually do remember being a baby and remember my 2nd birthday in great detail. I remember quite a few things before that as well. I remember the day after my 2nd birthday I was excited because I thought it was my birthday again only to find out it wasn't.

    My short term memory is horrible but my long term memory is great. I also have photographic memory. If I remember something I never seem to forget it if I didn't forget it right away.

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  • Cuntsiclestick
    9 years ago | pl

    "Is it normal I've never remembered anything before I was three years old?"

    Most people aren't going to remember anything that happened when they were a baby.

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