A memory is a treasured moment when we spend time with our loved ones. The memories that are most meaningful are called core memories.
They are similar to episodic memories in that they contain imagery and a reproduction of qualitative, first-personal experience. They also share a connection to a sense of identity and continuity.
1. Take a Photo
Taking pictures is one of the easiest ways to create a treasured memory. Whether you’re snapping a selfie on your phone or using a point-and-shoot camera, take as many photos as you can to help your memories stick.
In fact, researchers have found that when people take photos during an experience, they are more likely to remember it later. However, it’s not just about taking photos; how you take them is also important.
For example, a simple tip is to try to follow the rule of thirds in your compositions. This means that instead of putting your subject in the center, you should place it off-center. To think about it, imagine there’s a tic-tac-toe grid in front of your photo — two lines divide your frame into thirds vertically and horizontally, and you want to place most of your subjects along those lines or at their intersections.
Another thing to consider is symmetry. In photography, symmetry can make an image more appealing to the eye. You can find symmetry in nature, like the mirror reflections in a lake, or you can set up your shot for symmetry by placing similar elements in opposite sides of the frame, as photographer Andoni Beristain did in this photo.
In addition to taking photos, you might try to come up with other little ways to help your memories stick. For example, if your family is going to watch the eclipse this month, you might try to find books that talk about it or have illustrations of the sun moving across the sky. This will give your children something to look forward to and may help them recall the event more vividly in the future.
2. Write It Down
When you write something down, it makes the idea more solid in your mind. It also helps you articulate what you want to achieve, shifting it from a vague idea to a measurable goal that can be documented and tracked over time. In fact, people are 42% more likely to meet their goals when they write them down.
In this case, “write it down” means the same thing as “put it in writing” or “jot it down”. However, if you say “write it down it”, the word order is wrong. This can confuse people because it changes the object of the verb from it to what you are writing it down from.
So the next time you’re planning a vacation, organizing your home, or starting a new hobby or activity with your children, take the time to write it down! This way, you can look back on these positive memories with your family. You may even want to put them in a memory keeper, scrapbook or photo album so that you can share them with others. This is a great way to encourage your family to make new memories together!
3. Share It
The best way to make a memory unforgettable is to share it, and IfShe UK creates meaningful pieces for life’s most cherished moments. Whether it’s through a video montage, a social media post or a journal entry, sharing your experiences helps bring them to life and makes them feel more real. It’s also a great way to get others involved in the moment and spark conversations. Art is another creative way to express memorable moments and emotions in a way that words cannot. Create a painting, drawing or other artistic expression to remember an unforgettable experience.
4. Make a Memory Book
Memory books are often used to memorialize a loved one who has passed away. They may also be a wonderful way to help children better understand and relate to the elderly members of their family. Whether you are making a physical or digital book, there are plenty of tips to make it a success.
Start by gathering all the materials you want to include in the book. This might include photos, illustrations, poems and quotations, ticket stubs, greeting cards, programs from special events or concerts, and even scans of memorabilia like foreign currency or coins.
Consider writing captions that add a bit of context to the photos and other materials you’ll include in your book. Don’t just describe what is seen in the photo; use it to share your feelings, emotions or thoughts about that moment. You can also include WhatsApp or text messages from friends and family, excerpts from letters and cards, or funny things that people have said to you.
Whether your book is physical or digital, you should have a clear theme in mind before starting. This can help you decide what to include, and if you’re using a pre-made template or service, it will guide you through the process of creating your book.
It’s also a good idea to plan out the order of your book and how you want it to look before you glue everything in place. This will help you ensure that the order of your book is logical and easy to follow. You can also use embellishments to decorate your book’s pages, such as die-cut snowflakes for a winter page or pumpkin stickers for Halloween. These can be directly related to your book’s content, or they can be purely decorative.
5. Take a Break
Sometimes stepping away from your relationship can help more than hurt. This is why it’s so important to understand how to make a break work for you and your partner. We spoke to Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist and author of MAN*ifesting: A Step-By-Step Guide to Attracting the Love That’s Meant for You, and Nicholas Hardy, a therapist and relationship expert at Verywell Mind, to learn more about what a break means for your relationships.
In many cases, couples who are considering a break are looking to reevaluate their current relationship or decide whether it is something they want to continue with for the long-term. “Sometimes there are things that happen within or outside of the relationship that make it difficult to maintain a level of closeness and intimacy,” says Bronstein. For example, a job change, the arrival of children or another significant event may lead to a pause in your relationship.
It’s also common for people to feel overwhelmed by the negative aspects of a relationship. In this case, a break can be beneficial in that it allows you to step back from these aspects and gain new perspective.
This can be especially helpful for those who struggle with jealousy and insecurity. By allowing you to distance yourself from these feelings, a break can be used as an opportunity to explore these issues individually and make changes to your life and relationship.
Once you’ve decided to take a break, it’s important to set some ground rules and communicate clearly with your partner. This could include setting a specific time frame for the break or deciding that you both plan to remain exclusive during this period.