We all have memories that we look back on fondly. We remember the good times and forget the bad. This is called the cognitive bias known as rosy retrospection.

It can lead to inaccurate memories, and it often happens when we are thinking about our own personal lives. It can also lead us to make poor decisions in the present based on our inaccurate memories of past events.

What is rosy retrospection?

Rosy retrospection happens when we selectively remember the positive aspects of past events and forget the negative. We tend to do this because it feels good to think about the happy times and ignore the bad. This bias can lead to inaccurate memories, as we only remember the good parts.

There are a few reasons why rosy retrospection may happen. First, we may want to feel good about ourselves and our lives. Thinking about the positive aspects of our past can help us do this.

Second, we may want to forget the negative aspects of our past. Ignoring the bad can help us feel better in the present.

Finally, we may simply not remember the negative aspects of our past as well as the positive. Our brains are wired to pay more attention to the positive, which can lead to rosy retrospection.

Whatever the reason, rosy retrospection can lead to inaccurate memories and it can be harmful if we let it influence our decisions in the present. If we only remember the good times, we may make decisions based on that inaccurate memory.

We might take unnecessary risks, thinking that everything will turn out okay because it has in the past. Or, we might not prepare for bad events because we don't remember them happening.

How to manage rosy retrospection

To avoid letting rosy retrospection influence your decisions, it is important to be aware of the bias and to try to remember the bad along with the good.

It is also helpful to think about why you might be biased towards positive memories. If you can identify the reasons, it may be easier to overcome the bias. 

Finally, it is important to get input from others when making decisions. Other people will have different memories of past events and they can help to provide a more accurate picture.

Rosy retrospection is a cognitive bias that can lead to inaccurate memories and bad decisions. Be aware of the bias and try to remember the good and the bad when thinking about your past.

Also, get input from others to get a more accurate picture of what happened. This way, you can avoid letting rosy retrospection influence your decisions in the present.