Have you ever wanted to freeze memories in time? To grasp memorable times in your life and freeze them so that in the future you may return to them and reminisce? That is precisely what photos and videos are, and how I will be saving my memories throughout my Not Bucket List Journey.
To me, memories are about cherishing moments in your life. A place where highs and lows are stored to help make you the person you are today. But what if you struggle to recall those memories? What if as time goes by, they are tainted with age and crumble? That’s often where photos and videos come into play—pulling out those VCR tapes and photo albums of our embarrassing pictures as a child. You know what I’m talking about. Those moments you dread about when you bring your partner over to your parents for the official family meeting. You take a seat, and they crack out those embarrassing moments that they’ve held over your head for years. Yep, those. But how many times do you go back and see something you completely forgot that happened? Memories that make you laugh and cry at times that have slipped your mind.
For me, my memories feel jumbled up. There are days I can remember things clearly. Whereas other days I struggle to remember a thing. Quite often, it is around me being stressed or mentally struggling. So to tackle my mumble jumbled memories, I have purchased a time capsule. A place for me to store each of my memories for the days that I do forget. For the days that do get tough. A capsule is an excellent place for me to build up a safe space. Somewhere to store the memories of good times I’ve had. Throughout this journey, I will be creating moments I want to remember for years to come. What better way than to store them and lock them away until I can return and reflect in a years time.
What could I put in the time capsule to start me off? To pull the trigger of the starting gun of my future memories, so to speak? It took some time to sit down, staring at the capsule and contemplating what I wanted to start with? How was I going to ensure that everything is in order for when I do reopen the capsule? Sure it took me some time, thinking over and over, but eventually I knew what I was going to do. I grabbed my pen and paper and started writing—a letter to my future self, from my past self to be read in a years time as I reflect on my capsule. To go with my letter, I added in a photo that meant a lot to me. One I had taken before a stream when I felt inspired. Grabbing my phone, I went down to boots and printed on 6’4 with an instant picture style. At the bottom, I signed it “Seize the moment, seize the day.” The meaning of Carpe Diem. Something that clicked with me many years ago. Lifes short, so make the most of it whilst you can.
Putting the letter and photo together, I slid them inside the time capsule before placing on the lid. The thing I love about this capsule is screws and bolts seal it. So I can’t just willy nilly look into it unless I want to unscrew all 12 bolts. Too much effort if you ask me. Instead, I’d only unscrew when it comes to adding to the capsule and reflecting in a years time. After one last final look, I tightened the bolts and moved the time capsule towards the window where two legs awaited it. A good friend of mine custom made ma stand for my capsule to sit on to turn it into a mantlepiece to which I can look at, reflect, and remember what I am doing and why I am doing it.
It’s a fantastic feeling knowing I’ve started something incredible and I recommend that you all give it a try. I shared the time capsule at work on our boards, and one day I got tagged in someone’s post. A parent within the company saw my photo, and it inspired them for an at home school project during lockdown for their child. They created their very own time capsule using a jar to which they hid under the stairs to remember in a year hopefully. The feeling of knowing that I inspired someone to do that blew my mind, that something small I did lead to someone creating their own.
So I ask of you, to have a think and make your own time capsule whether you use a jar, a cardboard box or even a capsule-like mine. Create a place for you to store your memories that are physical. Not on iCloud or Facebook or anywhere on the internet. Create some memories in the physical form that you can hold and touch once again.
Not Bucket List Journey 