By Arielle Nguyen
As I get older, I realize that the mementos from my childhood are severely minute. What am I going to do when I’m frail and sitting in a rocking chair, and someone asks me, “What were some of your favorite memories from when you were younger?”
How am I going to know? I’m verging on dementia—and besides, too many memories to count!
What better way to recall memories than to record them? Compiled below is a short and sweet list of some of my favorite (niche and artsy) ways to document life.
TAKE MORE PHOTOS!
Upgrade your iCloud, make a new Google Photos account, I don’t care—delete your random screenshots and unplayed games if you have to. Nothing is more trendy than having your phone in hand, so why not utilize a feature embedded in it? What about that camera your parents bought you years ago? Might as well make use of the money spent on it.
Taking photos is the root of documenting your life. I love having the opportunity to look back on memories and remember the little details. You might be called “the social media manager” friend but who cares? Certainly not me!
Junk journaling/scrapbooking
Journaling does not have to be intimidating! Everyone says this, but it’s true—it’s a versatile activity with no rules whatsoever… just a ton of styles. One of my favorite styles is junk journaling. It’s just repurposing and preserving items. We all love sustainability here!
I typically collect junk throughout my day with junk being receipts, paper logos and stickers from food wrappers … the only limit is what you deem trash or treasure.
You may tie in scrapbooking here as well! This style of journaling was how I got back into using my Polaroid camera. I used to be terrified of wasting the expensive sheets, but if anything, I’m wasting them by not using them.
I watched “Wicked” with a friend and put it into my journal, using the ticket stubs, receipts and photos we took in the pages. I wrote a blurb to remember the day as well. It’s cute to look back on and I enjoy expressing creativity through this outlet.
Pikmin Bloom App
A little niche, I know. “Pikmin Bloom” is akin to “Pokémon Go”, in which it rewards you for spending time outside. It tracks your steps and encourages you to visit landmarks on your journey. By doing so, you collect digital envelopes which you may choose to send to your friends via the app. You can also participate in weekly challenges against your friends such as reaching a step goal or planting a certain amount of flowers.
However, my favorite feature of the app is its calendar. You can write a small blurb about your day and upload up to four photos to recap. It also automatically saves the amount of steps you take.
This is mostly a background game for me, but I really enjoy looking back on days I’ve favorited and remembering the little moments.
Time Capsules
Remember time capsules? Those funny little shoeboxes you stuffed with the most random of items, and sometimes ended up in the ground like true time capsules? Imagine that, but better, because guess what? You’re old enough to make better decisions!
I’m currently assembling a high school time capsule to be opened after I graduate college. I wish I started this at the beginning of my freshman year so I could see my growth, but there’s no time like the present. Using any old box, collect photos, receipts and old toy tags. Just about anything from this point in your life can be stuffed in that box (granted it’s ethical!). But basically, this time capsule is yours to fill. I decided to write a letter for myself to open as well—just as a catch-up, you know? Silly, but I like it as a keepsake.
Conclusion
Getting older is a blessing, but does that mean I have to forget what made me so happy in this part of my life? From random road trips with my family to studying at a library, life has given me many opportunities that I will never forget … solely because I recorded them through these means.
