There are times when I sit back and get the joy of taking in the moment while it is happening. When this occurs, I ask myself why this can’t always be the case. I know it’s a practice. I know there are things I can do to live in the moment, remember it well, and situations that can aid in both. Memories with family are so important, and I want you to be able to have them to hold on to and savor. Let’s jump in!
Ideas for making memories:
- Cooking – Make mealtime a process of love. Have each member of the family help. This encourages your family to learn together and work towards a common goal. Plus, it teaches your kids they can always pitch in.
- Reading/ story time – This timeless classic makes the list every time for a reason. It’s just a great way to get off screens, practice a skill, and let your imagination and listening get some time to run free. This is perfect for kids, but it’s not limited to them. You could read comics, history books, or interesting biographies to engage teenagers. Don’t skip on stories you like too!
- Help someone out – Random acts of kindness are a beautiful way to keep your family thinking of others. Look around for friends, family, or community efforts that could use your time, creativity, or resources and spend that time together.
- Learn a new skill together – Pick something obscure you’ve all never done, or something one person has done and work together to learn a new skill. Try to pick a skill that can have different level so the whole family can find interest in it. Try things like: indoor rock climbing, bread making, sewing, alcohol ink painting, household maintenance/projects, etc..
- Research/teach your family history – It’s important to know where you came from and the people that went before you. This will help you and your family appreciate your heritage and hopefully know a little more about the world. Research on your own, let kids interview grandparents, do a story night with extended family, try a DNA service, etc.
- Visit a national park – Getting outside and having the chance to learn something new is a great combo. Take a small trip and discover a place you didn’t know before.
All of these ideas focus on memory making ideas that force you to pay attention. They use steps, listening, learning, and new experiences to keep you on your toes. They make you proactive instead of just responding or going through the motions. Press into that and see what follows.
Ways to capture/remember those memories:
- Create traditions – Repetition will help you have a marker for memories, and it will give you something to look forward to. Plus, you can compare years and pass down the traditions.
- Instant cameras – I don’t like to take pictures. When I’m in the moment they can feel planned or arduous or just for social media. I got an instant camera and it helps me just capture the important times, and then I instantly have a photo I can physically keep. I recommend this for people who don’t do photos often.
- Scrap book/shared memory journal/photo book – If you love photos, scrap books are an old favorite. A memory journal can be fun for storytellers. You could make a family blog, or buy a big journal and let everyone record their memories as they see fit. You could even have a photo printed on a puzzle and give to a member of the family.
- Collect maps/ map journaling – For those of us that love a location – maps can be a great memory marker! You can write the date on them and what you did in the area. You can even organize them like a journal or in a journal and keep all the places with you!
- Postcards – This is similar to the previous ideas. You can send them to others, send them to yourself, or just keep them in an album.
- Encourage the sensory – I love this idea! Whenever you’re making memories take mental notes on the senses. With kids, help them focus on as many senses as possible. Note smells or make something with a great scent. Focus on touch through textures – feel sand, grass, water, etc. Try a unique treat from wherever you are. Play a song and dance. Listen hard to the rhythm of the day around you. Sight is pretty simple, but share what you notice.
I hope this post inspires you to be strategic about how you spend time and encourages you to try something new. Plus, I hope that it helps you really see the beauty of the moments as you’re in them.
