Do we view the past with rose tinted glasses?
A fondness for the past and the way things used to be is common with all ages and generations.
Time has a way of softening memories and in contrast to our busy, difficult lives, looking back it can often feel like things were much simpler ‘back then’.
This pattern is actually supported by research – ageing brains allow negative memories to fade over time. This in turn leads to a distorted impression of how life was in their younger days.
Older adults also have the benefit of experience – it’s easier to keep negative experiences in perspective and take things in their stride.
In contrast, younger adults need to keep memories of both positive and negative information to help them navigate their working lives.
As a result, many believe we view the past with rose tinted glasses and allow it to influence decisions about the present and future.
Holding onto a notion of the past can often cause people to negatively view the present in contrast.
Today at Speakers Corner we’re asking you: do you believe we view the past with rose tinted glasses? And does it impact how we process what’s happening in the present and future?
