来源：《今日心理学》
日期：2021年1月20日
We sometimes get stuck thinking that everything was so much better, and easier, in the past. It’s one of the tricks our minds play on us, especially when we are feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed.
我们有时会陷入这样的困境：觉得过去的一切都是那么美好，那么简单。这是我们大脑对我们开的一个玩笑，尤其是当我们精神脆弱或不知所措的时候。
However, rarely is it actually the case that things were “objectively” better in the past. Psychologists refer to this flawed thought pattern as rosy retrospection. It is a well-studied cognitive bias. It happens because when we think about the past, we are more likely to think about people, events, places, and things in the abstract. And, when we think about things in the abstract, we are more likely to focus on positive generalities than the awful details.
然而，事实上，过去的情况很少“客观上”更好。心理学家将这种有缺陷的思维模式称为玫瑰色回顾。这是一种已经被充分研究的认知偏差。这是因为当我们思考过去时，我们更有可能以抽象的方式去思考人、事件、地点和事物。而且，当我们抽象地思考事物时，我们更有可能关注积极的概论，而不是糟糕的细节。
Here’s an example: If you think back to a holiday you had with your family, say, five years ago, you’re likely to recall the enjoyable conversations you had, the good food you ate, and the great family photos you were able to take. You’re probably not going to remember how uncomfortable the couch was that you slept on for five nights straight, how you had a cold for the entire trip, how your travel plans were complicated by bad weather, and, not to mention, how stressful it was being with your extended family for a whole week.
举个例子：如果你回想起五年前你和家人一起度过的一个假期，你很可能会回忆起你愉快的谈话，你吃的美味佳肴，以及你能拍到的家庭照片。你可能不会记得你连续睡了五个晚上的沙发有多不舒服，整个旅途中你是如何感冒的，你的旅行计划是如何因恶劣的天气而变得复杂，更不用说，和你的大家庭在一起整整一周的压力有多大。
In other words, the negative details about past events drift out of our memory over time while the positive aspects of our past experiences remain. It’s good that this happens, as it keeps us in a positive frame of mind in the present. If our minds didn’t work like this, we would be much less likely to go on that same holiday next year or engage in other activities that are important to our psychological well-being. In fact, people who tend to remember negative experiences more than positive ones are likely to exhibit mood disorders such as depression. In other words, rosy retrospection is a cognitive bias—but, like many cognitive biases, it is one that serves an important purpose.
换句话说，过去事件的负面细节随着时间的推移逐渐从我们的记忆中消失，而我们过去经历的积极方面仍然存在。这是好事，因为它让我们在当下保持积极的心态。如果我们的大脑不是这样工作的，我们就不太可能在明年再去度假或从事其他对我们的心理健康很重要的活动。事实上，那些倾向于记住负面经历多于正面经历的人更有可能表现出情绪障碍，比如抑郁症。换句话说，玫瑰色回顾是一种认知偏见——但是，就像许多认知偏见一样，起着重要的作用。
It can, however, lead to lapses in sound decision-making. For instance, it’s one of the reasons why we backslide into problematic relationships. The longer it’s been since we’ve experienced the negative effects of an abusive relationship, the more likely we are to let the good memories outweigh the bad memories and to perhaps forgive unforgivable behavior.
然而，这可能会导致决策失误。例如，这就是为我们陷入有问题关系的原因之一。虐待关系的负面影响过去的时间越长，我们就越有可能让美好的记忆超过糟糕的记忆，也就越有可能原谅不可原谅的行为。
It’s always a good idea to approach our nostalgic feelings with a healthy degree of skepticism.
用一种健康的怀疑态度来对待我们的怀旧情绪总是一个好主意。
Psychological research generally suggests that our best days are ahead of us, not behind. One study, for instance, tracked the change of people’s optimism over time. The researchers found that optimism was lowest in people’s twenties, then rose gradually through people’s thirties and forties, peaking in people’s fifties, and gradually declining after that. Another study found that life satisfaction in Anglo countries — such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom — tends to improve with age.
心理学研究普遍表明，最好的日子就在未来，而不是过去。例如，一项研究跟踪了人们的乐观情绪随时间的变化。研究人员发现，人们的乐观情绪在20多岁时最低，然后在30多岁和40多岁时逐渐上升，在50多岁时达到顶峰，之后逐渐下降。另一项研究发现，在英美国家，如美国、澳大利亚、加拿大和英国，生活满意度往往会随着年龄的增长而提高。
In other words, there’s good evidence to suggest that your happiest days are still to come. And, even if they’re not, it’s still important to assume that they are. Don’t shy away from looking upon the past with a certain degree of fondness. But, by the same token, don’t use the past as an excuse to be unhappy in the present.
换句话说，有充分的证据表明你最快乐的日子还在后头。而且，即使他们不是，假设他们是，仍然很重要。不要回避带着某种程度的喜爱去看待过去。但是，出于同样的原因，不要用过去作为不快乐的借口。