6
submitted 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) by MrShankles@reddthat.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

Specifically, as in having memories from being younger than 3 years old and even further

I orient myself's own timeline upon some early-childhood memories, but some people have questioned it as false memory... which, understandable

But I can draw the layout of every house I've lived in, who's room was who's, where furniture was, certain events (like having gum melt in my diaper, crying in my crib about not trick-or-treating, seeing my first "flying-leaf" insect) and a lot of other random tidbits

A lot of it I've been able to confirm as true, which is what has always intrigued me. How far back is average? I think the furthest I can grasp is around 2 years old or maybe a little less

Maybe some of it has to do with trauma-ish things or something? But I can literally remember the potpourri on my mom's dresser when she was holding me, who was at my 3rd birthday... and just, kinda far back

What's everyone else's memory like here? I feel like my early pre-teens was kinda a blur, but my early childhood seems more vibrant sometimes. I dunno, I was just curious

top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] MintyFresh@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

3ish. I remember being tasked to pick up sticks, remember the back yard, the towering white pines, my mom trying and failing to start a lawnmower.

[-] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I remember visiting my uncle and being young enough I slept in a crib, but I was old enough to walk around. I barely remember anything else about the trip though.

I don't think i can place another memory until preschool. I can remember the layout of the preschool and some activities we did at it.

[-] Monster96@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

I still remember when I became conscious, so to speak. I was 3 years old and I was sitting on a couch in my parents living room. My mom and dad were sitting on a couch opposite to me and also watching tv. It was night and the only light was from the tv. I specifically remember the room was bare since my mom and dad just moved in but my I can see my toy box underneath the big window on the opposite side of the room from me. It was a large blue bucket. Past that, I can't remember a whole lot other than images.

[-] Allero@lemmy.today 1 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

My memory seems to come online surprisingly late.

The first memories kick in around 6, but really it's just a few small disoriented flashbacks. At 11, I vividly remember my first relationships, but not much more.

Comprehensively, I remember myself since about 16. That's when I can finally tell the order of events, and can visually recall key points.

Interestingly, I have otherwise good memory.

[-] dfyx@lemmy.helios42.de 0 points 4 weeks ago

When I was about three years old, I walked down the hallway from my room toward the living room. I remember that even in that moment it felt like I had blacked out halfway through and my brain started working a couple of steps from the living room door. Everything before that is blank, yet I have tons of memories from the weeks and months after that event.

[-] MrShankles@reddthat.com 0 points 4 weeks ago

Interesting! Like, "I have suddenly awoken"

[-] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Not the same person, but my first memory is essentially that. One day when I was 3 I walked into the garage for some reason and thought "Huh. This is my first memory". Then walked back inside.

I do recall some things from before that time, but those were only through dreams as a kid and I only remember the barest flashes of them

this post was submitted on 22 Feb 2026
6 points (87.5% liked)

Ask Lemmy

38690 readers
344 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, toxicity and dog-whistling are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS