Through a variety of interviews and public appearances, American novelist and short story writer Rick Moody frequently shares his thoughts on life and writing. During one of these discussions, he talked about a universal human experience: memory impairment.

Moody discussed how our memories aren't as accurate or comprehensive as we would like them to be. He said it's not unusual for details to become confused or completely forgotten when attempting to remember specific past events, particularly those involving other people. Moody advises embracing these errors as they are rather than dwelling on them.

Think of memory as a mental map to demonstrate this point. Our memories can occasionally add false information or omit crucial details, much like an old, rumpled map may have some missing streets or incorrect markings. Moody advises accepting your flawed memories, just as you wouldn't discard the entire map because it's flawed. After all, a memory does have emotional significance and contributes to our identity formation even if it is not totally accurate.

When people are unable to remember every little detail of their past, this viewpoint encourages them to be kinder to themselves. Recognizing that memories have flaws and limitations just like any other aspect of life is acceptable.