Memories. Man. When I think about memories – the good ones and the bad – I realise they’ve all brought me here, shaping the man I am today. The people I shared those moments with are the ones I cherish most. Some are no longer in my life, yet I still carry what we shared, both the joy and the pain, because without our memories… who are we in this life?

My memory can be both a blessing and a curse. I think I’ve written about it before. I have a really good memory – oddly good – but at the same time, lately, due to health reasons, it’s often clouded by brain fog.

I can remember things going back to 2007 and even earlier. Things people said to me when I was 15, when I was 21 – moments I can replay word for word, play by play. Things most people would probably find strange to hold onto. But that’s just how I am.

I’m the kind of person who’s a bit old school. I like to live in the moment – more now than I ever did before. The days of pulling out my phone and filming every aspect of my life, or as we used to say, “snapping” every moment, are long behind me. I don’t even use that app anymore.

Don’t get it twisted – I’m all for capturing memories and taking photos. I’m just more on the side of being present, of actually living what’s happening and cherishing it while I’m in it. 

I don’t know when it switched for me, but I feel it deeply now. The world moves so fast, and everyone is used to having everything instantly – right at their fingertips, in the here and now – with next-day deliveries, xyz. No one is patient anymore.

Social media shifted from long-form content on YouTube to short-form clips through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Attention spans feel shorter than ever. People can’t even sit through a film or TV show without reaching for their phones to doomscroll, and honestly… it bothers me. I can’t lie.

Don’t get me wrong – people can do whatever makes them happy. But I watched a video the other day where someone went on a date and couldn’t interact with the other person the same way they had through messages. It turned out they’d been using AI for every conversation leading up to it.

I mean… come on. How has the world come to this? Genuine things – like real conversation – aren’t happening the way they should anymore.

I love to reminisce with the people around me about the memories we share. Whether it’s laughter, sadness, or pain, it’s something we’ve experienced together and that has built character. Having open conversations about those moments – hearing other perspectives, understanding where people stood – is what truly brings people closer.

I think many people would be happier if they didn’t feel pressured to live up to today’s social norms, constantly chasing the latest trend or image. If more of us were genuine and focused on living in the moment rather than for it, I believe we’d find a lot more peace in our lives.

For those reading this – take time out to create memories in whatever way suits you. If it’s through Polaroids, snap away and get those pictures printed. If it’s through filming and creating videos, then do that too.

Just remember to appreciate the memories you’re creating and never forget to live in the moment. Memories are meant to be created, shared, and used to connect not only with ourselves but also with others. Cherish them.

Memory – Presence – Connection – Meaning