WILLOW HEWETT AUTHOR

The last lesson I’ve learned is something profound about the human mind. Our brains are incredibly delicate and complex, and what’s even more fascinating is the role of the subconscious. The subconscious holds all our memories, even the ones we can’t consciously recall. It’s a powerful storage system, quietly preserving everything we’ve experienced—good, bad, and sometimes, even the things we’d rather forget.

For those of us who’ve experienced childhood trauma or abuse, this is particularly significant. Often, the brain suppresses painful memories as a way to protect us from overwhelming emotions. These are known as repressed memories, and they can remain buried for years, sometimes even decades. For many individuals who’ve gone through abuse, these memories begin to resurface in their late 20s to early 30s. As the mind begins to process and unpack these memories, repressed emotions—anger, fear, sadness—also rise to the surface.

This phenomenon is backed by psychological theories, such as those put forth by Sigmund Freud, who first introduced the concept of repressed memories. Modern research in neuroscience shows that the brain has a remarkable ability to shield us from trauma by blocking memories until we’re ready to face them.

What I’ve learned from this process is that, while the resurfacing of these memories can be incredibly difficult, it also highlights the incredible resilience and adaptability of the human mind. Our brains have an astounding capacity to protect us, to heal us, and to help us make sense of the things we’ve lived through. In many ways, this journey of remembering and confronting past pain has made me realize how truly remarkable the mind is. It’s a mechanism of survival and growth, constantly working in the background to help us navigate our lives, even when we’re unaware of its intricate workings.