Silent Witnesses

We attach memories to objects as a reminder of our past. Much like the stuffed animal or the blanket you’ve had since you were a kid, it brings comfort and reminds you of your childhood. It could remind you of a better time in your life, or it can remind you of your past identity. Our brain links our senses to different cognitive experiences, so it makes sense why different objects can mean so much to us.

Photo from Pinterest.com
Endowment Effect

There is a psychological phenomenon called the endowment effect. This is when you place a higher value on an object you own rather than an identical one you do not own. People will oftentimes put a higher selling price on the things they own. They see these objects as having a greater value. These objects have a higher value to us simply because we own them. So many memories and different events have shaped them.

These can come in many different forms; they can be as simple as your clothes or as major as your house. 

Photo from Pinterest.com
Your Car

One place that can hold immense memories is your car. Your car goes everywhere with you and experiences everything with you—first dates, the first time hanging out with a new friend or traveling. Your car is there with you and holds these memories inside its walls. To other people, they would look at it and just see a car, but to you, you could look at it and see your best friend singing songs in the passenger seat or your parents clinging to the armrest as you were learning to drive. To passersby, those memories don’t exist, but to you, the leather encapsulates many memories.

Photo from Pinterest.com
Your Clothes

Your style comes in phases. Different pieces of clothes get buried in your closet and forgotten about until months later. Like when you’ve decided to clean your closet and find the dress you wore for graduation. Along with your car, your clothes really do follow you everywhere. Your clothes also hold scents. They can soak up your grandma’s perfume when she hugged you during her visit, or they can hold a stain that you got from dropping pasta in your lap on a first date.

Photo from Pinterest.com
Your Scent

You’re getting ready to go out, staring at all of your perfumes or colognes. You decide to wear a different one for the night, so you pick up your old favorite from a year ago. You spray your wrists and neck only to be flooded with memories of the person you used to be. It works as a reminder of people you used to know and floods your brain with nostalgia. 

Photo from Pinterest.com

The artifacts of our lives hold memories. They give us a sense of value, identity, comfort and nostalgia. The memories tied to our belongings can be good or bad, but regardless of either, they still bring us these core values, which is why we hold them so close.

What belongings of yours hold the most memories? Let us know on Instagram @VALLEYmag.

Related

709 Comments

  • This internet site is my aspiration, very excellent style and design and perfect subject matter.

  • basket168 says:

    Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.

  • slot bonus says:

    Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  • ovabet says:

    Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a great website.

  • susterslot says:

    Unquestionably imagine that that you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be at the web the easiest factor to consider of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed whilst other people consider worries that they just do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , folks could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  • Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information particularly the final section 🙂 I care for such info much. I used to be looking for this certain info for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.

  • basket168 says:

    Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So nice to search out someone with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is one thing that’s needed on the net, somebody with somewhat originality. useful job for bringing something new to the web!

  • I loved as much as you will obtain carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be handing over the following. sick definitely come more formerly once more since precisely the same nearly very steadily inside of case you shield this increase.

  • basket168 says:

    Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.

  • slot says:

    I keep listening to the news broadcast lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i get some?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *