From Latin contra- meaning "against"
More colloquial words that we used to describe this experience: backstory, self noema, individual past
Contramemories are memories a headmate split/formed with that contain knowledge of personal time before their split. This may appear to contradict itself, which is where the name comes from.
Contramemories can consist of anything, positive, negative, or in between, that is contained within the span of your system or innerworld. They may suggest you have been around longer, contradicting the fact of your split date.
However, contramemories exist in a parallel to other knowledge surrounding your split.
For example, I know that I split as an adult at certain time and for a certain reason I would describe as adaptive. However my contramemories include being raised from a child by my Warren, and being the spawn of a satyr and a nymph. It is almost if they are two roads leading up to the single point of my awakening; one was creating and influencing my personality as it appears now, the other creating the circumstances for my existence. Both are important and equally acknowledged.
These memories can come all at once, almost like a "download", or be discovered over time. It may be that no one is aware of your memories until you become aware of them, which is perfectly okay. Contramemories may create or unlock an entire new section of the headspace related to it.
This term is made for non sourced members specifically. The only other word for this is pseudomemories, which I personally feel uncomfortable with because the prefix "pseudo" implies a falsehood. These memories are not false to me just because of their qualities.
This term is inherently supportive of systems of all types and origins, and upholds the ideals of headmate personhood, individuality, and right to determine their own origins.
The creator supports creation of other -memory terms similar to this.
