By Abbi Gabli
As time passes, minds can become cluttered with all the memories we’ve collected from our past. Moments we swore we’d never forget become hazy from the unwanted reality of time. There is a way to combat this, though –– archiving.
Documenting memories comes in various methods: journaling, memory boxes, photographing or filming moments, creating zines or junk journals. Simple documentation is something you’ll be thanking yourself later for; capturing the moments you’re bound to forget.
The beauty of documenting your life is that it can be as simple or complex as you would like it to be. These moments can be created purely for yourself, or shared with others if you so choose. Over the years, trends have introduced countless ways to capture life: outfit of the day videos, a picture a day or everyday vlogs have all had their moment to shine online.
Intentionally recording your experiences can create memories that feel infinite. It’s something to keep in mind through the remainder of your time at college, and especially during once in a lifetime moments, such as studying abroad. These are times that you won’t want to miss, the good and the bad; all of it works together to shape who you are becoming.
This habit not only benefits your future self, it can help your present one, too. Looking through preserved moments can potentially lead to healing and growth. It gives you space to reflect on experiences and express emotions without judgment. According to Psychology Today, journaling can support emotional processing and stress reduction by providing a safe outlet for expression. Documenting your life then becomes a way to work through your mental world, not just your physical one.
Time feels the most fleeting whenever I go back to my parents’ house for breaks; even calling it my parents’ house instead of home feels uncomfortable to me. I tend to rummage through my memory box whenever I return –– it helps me remember the moments I thought I’d never forget: concerts, trips, small tokens of my past I tucked away without thinking –– a crumpled concert wristband, a postcard from a trip or a note that I wrote to myself years ago.
As the trend of using old technology, like camcorders or digital cameras, continues to grow, there’s no better time to start collecting your present for your future self. Part of the appeal is the intentionality: you pick up a camera, press record and suddenly an often otherwise ordinary moment feels significant. The imperfections, the vintage lens and the grainy quality — it all feels more authentic than any filter ever could. Retro tech preserves memories in formats that feel both tangible and nostalgic.
At the end of the day, your memories are the only things that stay with you long after the moment passes. Whether you record them with a digital camera, a journal or a shoebox of keepsakes, what matters is that you hold onto the pieces of your life that feel worth remembering. Your future self will be grateful for every detail you choose to save.
Abbi Gabli is a junior double-majoring in public relations and professional and public writing. Abbi loves exploring new places with friends and can often be found wandering around local thrift stores.