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Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

How quickly something can take you back to another time

My DH is having eye surgery again and he has to wash with dial soap for 3 days before. So we are having bad storms here today and I decided to shower instead of sitting in a bathtub. All the years I worked in ICU we washed our patients with dial soap and , boy oh boy, did the scent of the dial soap in the shower ever take me quickly back to the ICU. I never gave the scent of that soap a second thought as it isn't very strong, but I guess my subconscious certainly noticed it right away.

Esteemed Contributor
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Registered: ‎10-01-2014

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

I have read that the olfactory sense is more closely related to memories than any of the other senses. So I understand why that happened to you.

 

For me, the scents of Prell shampoo, Emeraude perfume, and Zest soap always evoke memories from my childhood.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop
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Registered: ‎12-02-2013

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

The scent memory is very powerful !!!  Whenever I am near the Estée Lauder perfume counter and I get a slight whiff of Beautiful, I will get teary-eyed as that was my favorite aunt's signature scent.  She has been gone for almost 10 years, but that scent will trigger tears everytime.

 

Hope DH's surgery goes well.  Finally got here to Naples in time for the rain !!!

 

 

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

Babysitting brings back olfactory memories; crayons, play-doh, and disposable diapers!

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Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time


@151949 wrote:

My DH is having eye surgery again and he has to wash with dial soap for 3 days before. So we are having bad storms here today and I decided to shower instead of sitting in a bathtub. All the years I worked in ICU we washed our patients with dial soap and , boy oh boy, did the scent of the dial soap in the shower ever take me quickly back to the ICU. I never gave the scent of that soap a second thought as it isn't very strong, but I guess my subconscious certainly noticed it right away.

 


Are you saying Dial soap was only used in  ICU and not anywhere else in the hospital?
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,179
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

That scent is too strong for me. 

Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

[ Edited ]

My husband had a full hip replacement July 2015 and had to wash from head to toe 5 days prior to his surgery with Betadine.  When I was a radiology technologist, even with us wearing gloves it was manadatory to wash with Betadine.. I was literally known as the T & A lady plus many special exams as myelograms & such.  Our poor hands were so dry.. Thank goodness for great lotions!!

 

PS... I personally prefer Dial gold and Zest soap and yes they both bring back memories as that's what was used in our home when we were growing up..... 

Go VOLS
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me.. Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee... Rocky Top Tennessee
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,838
Registered: ‎07-24-2013

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

our town has voting at the elementary school and also flu clinics at the school, in the gym

 

 schools (and libraries) smell the same as they did when i was a kid, right back to 1st grade

Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,113
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time

I recall being about 4 years old and visiting a distant aunt with my parents.   She had never seen me before, and, obviously, I had never been in her presence before.

 

I was wandering around the house, exploring, and was fascinated with her dressing table with all sorts of beauty items on display.     I picked up & sniffed her Shalimar perfume bottle and was immediately hit with a very strong recollection of having worn that scent .... it was like a familiar old friend.

 

Each time I recall this vibrant memory, the details come back to me so vividly!    My mother believed in reincarnation and later told me that it was probably a past life memory.

 

Funny .....  the only fragrance I wear, to this day, is Shalimar.

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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How quickly something can take you back to another time


@RetRN wrote:

@151949 wrote:

My DH is having eye surgery again and he has to wash with dial soap for 3 days before. So we are having bad storms here today and I decided to shower instead of sitting in a bathtub. All the years I worked in ICU we washed our patients with dial soap and , boy oh boy, did the scent of the dial soap in the shower ever take me quickly back to the ICU. I never gave the scent of that soap a second thought as it isn't very strong, but I guess my subconscious certainly noticed it right away.

 


Are you saying Dial soap was only used in  ICU and not anywhere else in the hospital?

Please quote where I said that!

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