Emotions And Memories: The Core Of Everything We Are
Our emotions and memories are tightly linked, kind of like old friends that shape who we are. When we talk about carrying "emotional baggage," we're really just talking about all the feelings and moments we've piled up over the years. These aren't just thoughts tucked away in our brain; they're more like experiences that hit all our senses, making us feel things deeply.
Memories are where these emotions live. They're not just things we remember; they're the feelings attached to those memories that can bring us back to moments with all our senses. Like how a certain smell can take you back to your grandma's kitchen or a particular song can remind you of a high school dance. These memories stick with us, guiding us through life.
In today’s world, where everything's online, keeping these memories safe is super important. Every picture we post, every status we update, is a piece of our story we’re sharing. Digital tools give us a cool way to keep these memories so we can look back on them and share them with future generations.
Losing my dad as prematurely and unexpectedly in October 2020 hit me hard. It was a reminder of how quickly things can change, even those things you think you have a good control of. But finding comfort in the digital memories he left behind – photos, videos, messages – helped me feel stay connected to him. These weren’t just files on a computer; they were pieces of him, keeping his spirit and our memories together alive.
Me and my dad (2017)
This is where I fundamentally realized the immense value behind saving our memories digitally. It's not really about the technology. It's about preserving the laughter, the tears, and the love we experience, through a photograph or a video. These digital keepsakes let us truly hold on to the moments that define us, sharing them with the next generations, as my dad would have liked to see them passed on to his beloved ones once gone.
So, as we scroll, click, and post, let's remember to save those special moments. It's about making sure the stories, the feelings, and the connections we have don’t just disappear. In a way, it's how we keep telling our story, linking the past, present, and future, ensuring that the love & lessons we've learned stay alive for others to see and feel. That way, we're not just keeping memories; we're keeping a piece of ourselves safe for the future, leaving our footprint in the infinity of time.
But a key question remains: What tools do we have access today to safeguard exactly that? You might think of the GBs of files residing on your Google Photos account as you read this, but when you think about it, how many hours in total have you dedicated at sorting, deleting and summarizing your digital memories? 5? 10 at the most? And do you think you will have more time before getting retired? I have asked myself those same questions and the answer was a straight No.
Which is what led me to do some research and stumbled into another game-changing concept developed by a french start-up (as a matter of coincidence), named Toodays.me. This small family business has found a simple but truly effective and friendly way to allow any mobile phone owner to record their memories on their app on a daily basis, solving for the issue painted previously.
