The Scent That Took Me Back - Why Fragrance and Memory Are So Deeply Connected
Some memories aren’t tied to photos or dates.
They’re in the air.
In the way sunlight falls across a room.
In the quiet scent of something familiar - soft, subtle, and unforgettable.
Recently, I had one of those moments myself.
After buying flowers for my partner, she placed them in a vase and set them in our living room.
It was then that the scent drifted through the room - and suddenly, I was transported back in time.
For years, I couldn’t quite place the smell that always tugged at my memory.
But in that moment, I realised: it was the scent of flowers.
It took me straight back to my dad’s old flat, to the living room, to when I was seven years old - to quiet afternoons and a feeling of home I hadn’t realised I was still carrying with me.
It’s strange how a scent can open a door you didn’t even know was closed.
Why scent brings back the strongest memories
Scent is the only sense that connects directly to the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion.
It bypasses logic and lands somewhere deeper - in nostalgia, instinct, and feeling.
That’s why a certain perfume might suddenly remind you of someone from years ago.
Or why the smell of pine can feel like December.
Or why you catch yourself smiling (or crying) in a split second - just because of a scent.
We asked you…
Recently on social media, we invited you to share your own scent memories.
And your stories were as beautiful and vivid as expected.
“Freshly baked bread reminds me of my nan’s kitchen.”
“The smell of sea salt and sunscreen always takes me back to our family caravan holidays.”
“Lavender will forever remind me of bedtime when I was little.”
Thank you for sharing your hearts with us.
Why we care so much about scent
At Custom Wicks, we don’t just pour wax.
We build moments - gently captured in scent.
Moments that make you pause. Smile. Remember.
Whether it’s the candle you gift someone else, or the one you light for yourself after a long day - we believe in making it personal.
Because if scent can hold memory, then a candle can hold meaning.
What scent takes you back?
We’d love to hear your story.