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comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Our Memories

I keep a simple log in Evernote where I briefly describe what I do each day. I usually do an entire week of events in one go, and again and again I am baffled by how little I actually remember, e.g. what I did last Tuesday. Do you remember what you did? It makes you wonder about the importance of moments. I try to do as much new stuff each day, as new memories last much longer and make days matter.





lappelduvide  ·  4119 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I don't remember small actions (going to the fridge, turning on the television, pouring myself coffee, et cetera), but I'd recall routine or momentous events (piano lessons or going to the theater with friends) - by title, and not by feeling/environment/the people I was with/how my mindset was on that particular day.

I'm torn when it comes to wanting to keep a log of daily activities because there's little to a day that's worth recording. On the other hand, it's frightening to think that a few thousand days have passed, but they're forever gone from my memory.

theadvancedapes  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I keep a simple log in Evernote where I briefly describe what I do each day.

That is a fantastic idea. I included your quote in the post on Svbtle.

I may start to do something similar. I kept a diary in Cameroon for my field seasons and I think they are so valuable now. But I don't do it in my day-to-day life. I think you may have stimulated me to start.

user-inactivated  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Thanks! I'm new to hubski but I'm already thorougly enjoying it. Nice article.

Another reason is that I started my diary when I moved out and started university, and want to remember these years as good as possible. If I try to recall for instance elementary school, I am appaled by how little I remember from day to day.

Good luck on your diary! Its value may not be apparent now, but you'll thank yourself later.

lappelduvide  ·  4119 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Don't worry, you're not alone, lol. Hi, fellow new person!

thenewgreen  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

About once a year, I will dig through my old college journals and reminisce. Good on you for taking the initiative to keep a diary. Trust me, you'll be glad that you did. Welcome to Hubski!

theadvancedapes  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I'm new to hubski but I'm already thorougly enjoying it.

Welcome! Always nice to have new thoughtful people :)

thenewgreen  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I was thinking about the concept of doing something new every day. It could be as simple as eating lunch in a new restaurant, or going for a walk or run on a new trail etc.

I think that for the most part, I do this in some form or another, but I guarentee there are days when I don't. Routines are nice for a lot of aspects of life, but disrupting that routine is extremely important too.

    I try to do as much new stuff each day, as new memories last much longer and make days matter.
-Those new memories are what help us grow.

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner -Change, even abrupt and scary can be a positive thing.

user-inactivated  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

What really changed my mind was reading up about how we form memories. Think of a place you've been often, like a local coffee shop you frequent. You probably remember the first time you entered. The smell of beans and sweetness, people talking and discussing the problems of the day. You had a normal cappuchino. It's a new place, let's not take risks just yet. The barista was nice and delivered societies' most accepted addiction with speed and agility.

The last time you've been there you probably remember too. You got the usual. There was a new girl behind the counter who didn't recognize you and for the first time in months you weren't treated like a regular.

But try to remember the 7th time you've been there, and suddenly nothing special comes to mind. We humans are creatures of habit. The comfort of doing the same thing is what makes you forget those moments. So I try my best to learn something new every day. Explore, play with the things you do daily. Today will be the only day you'll do it that way.

theadvancedapes  ·  4121 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    The comfort of doing the same thing is what makes you forget those moments. So I try my best to learn something new every day. Explore, play with the things you do daily. Today will be the only day you'll do it that way.

This is invaluable advice/knowledge. It is new experiences that really shape our existence. There is even evidence that people who form new experiences on a regular basis subjectively perceive their life to be longer than those who do the same thing every day. In fact, I think it is the ability to constantly expose yourself to new things that is the best opportunity of being financially comfortable. If I was financially comfortable I would definitely be able to expose myself to more new things than I currently do. I mean, I should still make an effort to do new things that don't cost very much, but financially comfort would help a lot!