Anupam Kher, 70, on what he likes to eat, fear of losing memory: ‘I love myself’

Taking a cue from his admission, let’s understand how losing memory is a fear that many resonate with.

Anupam Kher remembers all dates (Photo: Freepik)

His words reveal something universal about memory, identity, and inner security. “It is not only about fear of forgetting. It is about the fear of losing the anchor that maps who we are, where we started, and how we grew. When memory becomes fragile or threatened, whether by age, stress, trauma or grief, the loss is not just factual. It is emotional. It erases chapters of identity, disrupts continuity, and can uproot the sense of self,” expressed psychotherapist Delnna Rrajesh.

Memory does not just store events; it holds our reference points. “It shapes our values, our resilience, our self-respect. Lessons we can all draw, regardless of age or celebrity status,” said Delnna.

What are some practical ways that can help?

Chronicle your memories

Journals, voice notes, photos, even simple lists. Whatever feels natural. These are more than records. They become emotional anchors. When you revisit them, you do more than recall a date. You reconnect with a version of yourself that fought, healed, succeeded, and survived.

Value daily rituals and presence

You don’t need grand memories. Often, the simplest rituals, like a quiet walk, a shared chai, a glance at the sky, build gentle continuity in your life. Those small moments become subtle memory threads that ground you during upheavals.

Protect mental health like physical health

Stress, grief, sleeplessness, anxiety – they all wear away at memory. Emotional overload doesn’t just tire the mind. It disrupts neurological balance. Regular rest, mindful pauses, and self-care are not optional. It preserves the architecture of memory and self.

Anchor identity in growth, not just memory

If we tie our identity only to memories or dates, memory loss becomes traumatic. “But if we anchor identity in growth – in the values we nurture, lessons we learn, compassion we build…then our sense of self remains resilient even when memories fade,” said Delnna.