I have stood on the top of mountains and hiked to remote places. I have photos to prove it but how was I feeling in the moment? ... Lost in the mists of time. I didn't write it down.
The memories are often things we take for granted. My grandson and I have a ritual of making German pancakes, setting up a camera in front of the oven, then taking a Timelapse photo of them as they rise. I’m not quite sure how that started, and I had forgotten about it until he sent a text asking for the recipe. These little things are all worth capturing.
Thanks for sharing such a delightful memory. Similarly when I was a little boy I lived with my grandparents for a while and was always fascinated watching my nan bake. It felt like she baked for eight hours every day - but every time I smell cakes baking or something homemade I am immediately transported back in time to that moment of watching my nan baking in her kitchen
There is a brilliant Japanese movie called "After Life." Each week a group of recently deceased people arrive at a mysterious hotel between life and death. The hotel is staffed with people who ask them to go back over their lives and choose a single memory, which is the only one they can take with them into the afterlife. They are given a few days to identify their happiest memory. Then the workers design, stage and film it for them. The deceased people then move on to the afterlife. They will forget the rest of their lives and spend eternity within their happiest memory. Of course the central drama of the film is the difficulty of choosing one single memory in a life that is rich with so many beautiful moments, and choosing the memory that holds the most meaning.
What would you choose? It is an interesting thought exercise. This movie had a profound effect on me when I saw it twenty five years ago. Since then, I have become a collector of those happy moments.
This is great advice Paul. I really do wish I had thought to write down my memories when I was much younger. Almost 11 years ago, I walked 1000k on the Camino de Santiago and my memories are mainly of the sights I saw as I passed by. While walking I had many thoughts that at the time seemed very profound, but I remember very few of them now. You have inspired me to start recording my memories before it’s too late.
Thank you so much Jennifer, although some moments might now seem lost at least going forwards hopefully you can capture those precious moments in the future
Paul, the 2021 piece linked at the bottom of this piece is priceless and I have printed it out and stuffed it into my Commonplace book as a reminder. Thanks so much for putting into words this journey.
When I give a talk about saving and sharing memories, I think this is so key. If in the moment (or just after) to write something down that will jog your memory. It can be on a napkin, piece of paper… I use Google Keep. I have the link on the top screen of my phone so that all I have to do is tap it, verbally or type in what I want to remember, and save. Even in the middle of the night, when quite often things come to me, it is quick and easy and I go back to sleep not worrying about forgetting to do that in the morning.
Don’t we all wish we had written things down as we experienced them. I do write a travel blog and looking back on them I often feel my excitement all over again. I’m attempting to do a Day2Day photo diary this year and trying to make sure I write about each photographic memory.
I have stood on the top of mountains and hiked to remote places. I have photos to prove it but how was I feeling in the moment? ... Lost in the mists of time. I didn't write it down.
I only wish I had done this myself for the last fifty years
Yes, indeed! You are definitely not alone in that.
I couldn’t agree more Paul; a great article to remind us of the simple things that are freely available.
Thanks Jude sometimes we can miss out on the most valuable moments in our lives because our focus is elsewhere
The memories are often things we take for granted. My grandson and I have a ritual of making German pancakes, setting up a camera in front of the oven, then taking a Timelapse photo of them as they rise. I’m not quite sure how that started, and I had forgotten about it until he sent a text asking for the recipe. These little things are all worth capturing.
Thanks for sharing such a delightful memory. Similarly when I was a little boy I lived with my grandparents for a while and was always fascinated watching my nan bake. It felt like she baked for eight hours every day - but every time I smell cakes baking or something homemade I am immediately transported back in time to that moment of watching my nan baking in her kitchen
There is a brilliant Japanese movie called "After Life." Each week a group of recently deceased people arrive at a mysterious hotel between life and death. The hotel is staffed with people who ask them to go back over their lives and choose a single memory, which is the only one they can take with them into the afterlife. They are given a few days to identify their happiest memory. Then the workers design, stage and film it for them. The deceased people then move on to the afterlife. They will forget the rest of their lives and spend eternity within their happiest memory. Of course the central drama of the film is the difficulty of choosing one single memory in a life that is rich with so many beautiful moments, and choosing the memory that holds the most meaning.
What would you choose? It is an interesting thought exercise. This movie had a profound effect on me when I saw it twenty five years ago. Since then, I have become a collector of those happy moments.
Wow, Lisa, thanks for that recap - what an interesting and daunting question to explore!
I love the gentle reminders & ideas in “The Art of Collecting Memories”—”Collect moments, not things.” @Paul Chiddicks
Thank you so much @Shell Norman i’m glad you enjoyed my post
Paul, Love your tips. And it’s not just about those big events but those small special memories. Thanks.
Thank you Lynda I agree it’s not about the big events sometimes the unexpected moments can generate the best memories
This is great advice Paul. I really do wish I had thought to write down my memories when I was much younger. Almost 11 years ago, I walked 1000k on the Camino de Santiago and my memories are mainly of the sights I saw as I passed by. While walking I had many thoughts that at the time seemed very profound, but I remember very few of them now. You have inspired me to start recording my memories before it’s too late.
Thank you so much Jennifer, although some moments might now seem lost at least going forwards hopefully you can capture those precious moments in the future
Paul, the 2021 piece linked at the bottom of this piece is priceless and I have printed it out and stuffed it into my Commonplace book as a reminder. Thanks so much for putting into words this journey.
Thanks so much Lori for your kindness and I am so glad that you found it enjoyable
Write It Down, Even If It’s Just a Few Sentences…
When I give a talk about saving and sharing memories, I think this is so key. If in the moment (or just after) to write something down that will jog your memory. It can be on a napkin, piece of paper… I use Google Keep. I have the link on the top screen of my phone so that all I have to do is tap it, verbally or type in what I want to remember, and save. Even in the middle of the night, when quite often things come to me, it is quick and easy and I go back to sleep not worrying about forgetting to do that in the morning.
I always keep a notebook and pen by the side of the bed a lot of my most inspirational thoughts occur in the middle of the night!
Ditto. I also have a Commonplace book which has become incredibly meaningful and helpful in my journey toward intentional memory keeping.
Don’t we all wish we had written things down as we experienced them. I do write a travel blog and looking back on them I often feel my excitement all over again. I’m attempting to do a Day2Day photo diary this year and trying to make sure I write about each photographic memory.