The Gift of a Memory

There’s a lot of complaining these days about the Millennials and Gen Z and how they are spoiled, entitled, and not hard working. There may be truth to that for any individual member, but from my admittedly relatively small sample-size observations, they’ve got quite a few things figured out. The biggest difference that I notice between them and some of us older folks is their detachment to material items and their desire to have experiences.

I’ve asked many of them about their lack of desire for stuff. They all say the same thing. “Stuff doesn’t last. It doesn’t matter. Memories are a gift that you take with you everywhere for the rest of your life.” What beautiful and wise sentiments. Memories are truly the gifts that keep on giving and they are a lot less expensive than big houses and fancy cars.

The concept seems so simple and yet so hard for many of us to live by. We are consumers and we consume for comfort and pleasure. Yet maybe if we got a bit more conscious about our “stuff” consumption, we would slow down on the buying and increase the memory making.

Now, some of you might be thinking that the younger generations make memories on expensive vacations and experiences. That is no doubt true for many of them. Yet some seem to be more than aware that a walk in the woods with loved ones is worth more than any material item. My favorite memories include exciting travel, but they also include simple, intimate moments with those I love the most.

If we got a bit more conscious about our “stuff” consumption maybe we would slow down on the buying and increase the memory making. #memories #consumerism #happiness Click To Tweet

So how can we give ourselves more of the gift of memory? One easy way is to do stuff versus buying stuff, but I think there is more to it than that. Be present and observe yourself and your experiences. Say to yourself, “I want to remember this moment.” And then use all of your senses to experience it. Slow down and enjoy it and make it a priority to be fully in that moment. Enjoy the gift of a memory as often as you can. You won’t have buyer’s remorse with this gift.

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC