Little Things I do to Immortalize the Little Things
By Lauren Jones
Snapchat memories, photo albums, and photo dumps. Are these the only ways that we are going to remember the best years of our lives? Sometimes solely taking pictures doesn’t do memories justice, especially when you forget to take any!
Now that I am in my third year at Villanova, I find myself re-discovering old memories that I completely disregarded until my friends reminisce about them. Often, I worry that I am going to forget the smaller, intimate moments that I have experienced throughout my time here. I am going to share with you the little things I have started to do to immortalize the little things that I will never want to forget.
During the March 2020 quarantine, I started a notes app on my phone dedicated to recording specific moments in time — no matter how big or small — that I wanted to remember. I would split these memories into separate categories; for example, I made one section for the hardest times I have ever laughed. Basically, I write a list of quotes or events that have made me so hysterical that I still chuckle when I re-read them. Another component of this notes page is a list of the nicest compliments people have ever given me. I write down exactly what that person said alongside their name. My favorite section of this compilation is a list of the best days/moments of my life. There is a certain feeling that coincides with living one of the best days of your life — you can feel in the moment that you are going to talk about it for the rest of your life. I write down the specific events or activities from that day, what I was feeling, and who I shared the day with. Sometimes I can’t express the true meaning of a moment with words, so I write something that will reignite the emotions from it.
Other lists that I have on this page include my favorite quotes, books, songs, albums, and movies. Each and every one on these lists has been a staple in my life, and I can remember what I was experiencing when I listened to it/watched it. These lists especially come in handy when someone asks me what my favorite song or movie is, since I always blank when I am put on the spot.
I frequently update this list whenever I have a peaceful moment and want to reflect upon how good I really have it here. It has become a lifesaver to read through this page in times of sadness, storytelling, reminding myself how lucky I am to experience such beautiful and meaningful things.
Another thing I have put into practice is saving momentos. What better way to shed light on a beautiful memory than to have a relic from that specific time and place? Some of my favorite things that I have saved include concert tickets, train tickets, wrist bands, the ribbons from my prom corsages, string bracelets from summer camp, birthday party hats, glow sticks, bandanas, the wrapper from my first In-N-Out (this one is a bit questionable), pens from hotels, foreign currencies, rocks/sand from historic landmarks, birthday cards, and hand-written notes from my friends. It is an incredible feeling to hold one of these items and be transported back in time.
A funny method my friends and I have begun is creating a list of “episodes” of our friend group’s significant life events, like on Friends. For example, moving in with my roommate freshman year would be entitled “Season 1 Episode 1: The One Where Sam and Lauren Move In.” This is a creative and enjoyable method to highlight the highest of highs, while also poking fun at some of the low points of the group.
Lastly, I have documented some special moments of my life with videos. For example, last February my friend group all contracted COVID-19. I recognized that this was a historic moment in the world as well as my personal life; so I wanted to remember exactly what I was feeling, doing, and experiencing. Throughout our 10-day quarantine together in Long Beach Island, I made a “COVID Diaries” series where I filmed my personal moments along with what my friends and I did together. What an amazing experience it will be to pull these videos out of the archives and share with my future children when they ask about the COVID-19 pandemic!
The takeaway from all of these practices is to take the time to appreciate how beautiful life can be. Even when life isn’t so beautiful, there may be a moment of growth, or a compliment someone gave you, or a beautiful sunset you saw out your window that gave you hope, or a joke your roommate said that had you crying of laughter. Write these things down– your future self will thank you for it.
