Ok, āhateā is a strong word, and I know this will make me sound like a bitter old woman (I promise Iām not!), but the fact that people seem to call out: āEnjoy making memoriesā for half of the things that you do in life is a real bug bear of mine!
āWeāre getting married next monthā. āFantastic! Enjoy making memories on your day!ā
āWeāre going on holidays tomorrowā. āOh, enjoy making memories for your kids!ā
Innocent, I know. Just a thing you say. And thatās probably because Iām a bit of a language geek, but I donāt say it, and you guessed that Iām about to tell you why.
It makes it sound like a task
If Iām planning a day out somewhere special or going on holidays, as a family of 5, weāve got enough stuff to plan for to make it all happen. āMaking memoriesā doesnāt need to feature on my to-do list. āMaking the most of itā definitely will. And if it was a good day and one worth remembering, then Iām sure itāll become a memory, but the bit I want to focus on is the enjoying bit, and Iām sure that the memory will then come.
It makes me feel like whatever weāre doing is already in the past
Weāve not even done it yet, and I have to think about the memory already? As a generation of parentsĀ IĀ think we are all a bit too guilty of ānot living in the moment and in the presentā well enough. We focus too often on the past and constantly seem to worry about the future. Iām going on holidays to enjoy every minute of it, hopefully, without focusing too much on whether it is going to be a good memory or not, for me or my children.
I donāt want to miss out
A few months ago, Adele made the news (you know, first world problems and all that) because she told a fan at one of her concerts to put the camera away and just enjoy.
Sheās right though.
AndĀ at some point I actually was that fan. I was lucky enough to see Adele performing Hello live last year, and I filmed the whole thing on my phone. Then I asked myself, āWhy did I do that?!ā I never watched it back ā in fact, I did attempt it, and the video wasnāt even good quality. It just was nowhere near what the experience was really like. Now, you may or may not like her, but she undeniably has a powerful voice. And one that really holds the stage. For me it was quite an emotional experience, but why did I bother filming it rather than just enjoying what I was watching? I ended up watching it through my phone screen to make sure I was aiming right – why not just watch her directly?
We are too guilty of this, I find. In the age of smartphones and social media, itās almost like we are āexpectedā to show what cool things we do with our kids and what cool places we go to.
And you know what? We all know the truth here. We donāt always get to do cool things and go to cool places because in fact for a lot of parents with young children life can be quite routine-heavy sometimes, and itās definitely not always picture perfect. Iām sure as parents you also have days or moments that you donāt want to have memories of, and you probably donāt want your children to remember them either! So when we do get to do something different and nice, we do want to share it. Thereās nothing wrong with that. But Iām sure youāll agree that watching things through a lens isnāt the same thing as watching them āliveā.
Shall we trust life a bit more?
I have memories of when I was a child. Everyone does. And yet my parents didnāt take a camera wherever we went. And they didnāt have a blog or social media to share every single day of their lives with others.
We remember because our brain has the power to retain information, thankfully. We may have forgotten a lot, but we also remember a lot. And the childhood memories we have are ones that we (hopefully) treasure.
Even without a photo or a video to record them.
Even when our parents didnāt set out for the day with the objective of āmaking memoriesā.
The days were lived.
Moments were shared.
Emotions were felt, and memories were made.
Simple.
So if you tell me youāre going on holidays, Iāll just really, from the heart, tell you to relax and enjoy it! You may or may not remember some of it in a few months. You know, the tiring and stressful bits that inevitably always happens if youāre on holidays with your children…
Your children may or may not remember some of it in a few years.
But if you enjoyed the single moments, it will all have been worth it, Iām sure.
I know this is a bit controversial. So, what do you think?Ā
I quite agree! I have been making a conscious effort to stop taking so many photos lately, I feel like I’m interrupting life sometimes for the sake of a good Instagram shot, y’know? It’s good to make real memories that you don’t hold in a photo but in your heart š #kcacols
Author
I love that phrase Claire! “I feel like I’m interrupting life sometimes” – it’s so true! I’m glad I’m not the only one trying to do this š
Perhaps the part you really disagree with is the recording of events as memories, rather than the making of memories in itself? I agree to a certain extent, in that it may be difficult to enjoy the moment if you’re too busy trying to compose the perfect photo. But I also think it’s important to record special times – I have a terrible memory, and I really enjoy looking back and reminding myself of things which I would have otherwise forgotten if I didn’t photograph it.. #KCACOLS
Author
Yes, totally. I’m all for living events and remembering them, but I just really don’t like the phrase as it puts something immediately in the past. And sometimes this happens when things haven’t even happened yet. I totally agree that it’s important to record special times, and obviously I do it too!
That’s really interesting. I think I need to put my phone away more and just enjoy the moment I’m in. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday X
Author
Thank you Kerry – it’s really hard for me to do that too, but I’m really trying to make a conscious effort to do it! x
This is a really interesting post and I do know I need to put my phone down more. I also went to see Adele live last year and she was just incredible! I loved every moment of it. #KCACOL
Author
She’s amazing, isn’t she? I was quite emotional – her voice is just amazing!
Well this makes me feel better that I don’t take anywhere near as many photos as others! I always forget as im just enjoying the moment. Thank you for linking up to #SundayBest x
Author
Enjoying the moment sounds quite good to me! š x
Really good point and powerfully put too. I was quite moved by your post because it really struck a cord with me. We should enjoy what we do for what it is and how it makes us feel at that moment. Brilliant!
Thank you also for linking up with my christmas special.
Mainy
#mainyloveschristmas
Author
Thank you Mainy! I’m so happy you liked it and that it struck a cord! Thank you for hosting the linky! š
A very thought-provoking post! What on earth did we all do before we had cameras and social media? #mainyloveschristmas
Author
He he – I know, Natalie! Mind you, it’s not like I don’t take any photos! I’m just trying to not be obsessive with it!
Iām so glad to have found this article! I too really dislike the phrase āmaking memoriesā. Surely if you have a functioning brain everything you do becomes a memory? Some are good, some not so good but increasingly āmaking memoriesā seems to be about showing off – the perfect family, the romantic couple, the best children, the āincredibleā holiday. I love it that some people have these experiences but I wish theyād just enjoy them!!!
Author
Thank you Lesley – I totally relate to what you’re saying!
I totally agree. I just looked up the phrase on google to see if anyone else cringe when they hear it! So glad to find your article!
Author
So glad you can relate Lynda! š (And that it’s not just me!)
Exactly like Lynda, I just Googled ‘why is everybody obsessed with making memories’ because I really cannot stand this phrase – and it led me here! Thank you so much for making this post. I’m in the total minority it would seem; I don’t take photos unless I’m going to print them (which is very rare) and I don’t use social media because I’m too busy living my life to make a record of it – I rely on my brain to recall events I’ve enjoyed – a photograph only shows you what was in the frame at that exact second; it’s easy to rely on a photo as a ‘memory’ and forget the rest! Also agree that it’s already placing anticipated occasions in the past. Boooooooo!
Author
A lot of people seem to find the post for the same reason – I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way as when I wrote it I thought I would be! We may be in the total minority, but there seem to be a few of us now! š
I also googled to find you! Mine was āmaking memories annoyingā. I donāt think I got past the n and it had already filled it in for me LOL
Great post. For me, the point wasnāt about people taking pictures excessively, itās that that phrase is simply annoying and it makes it seem like we are doing things to record it for a newsfeed. Sometimes I wonder, am I being the bitter one for not posting my life on social media? I honestly feel like I want to be modest. I donāt want to contribute to someone feeling bad about themselves if they canāt sfford to take a trip or do something extraordinary. Iāve taken some pretty amazing trips and quite honestly Iām too āembarrassed ā to even admit them bc they are over the top awesome and I donāt want to seem bragging. Not to mention, we donāt need big brother or someone shady knowing our every move. Anywayā great post. Thanks:):)
Author
That’s such a good point, Erica. It’s true though – why are we taking these photos? Why are we documenting these memories (if the truth is that, in the digital age, we hardly ever look at photos anymore anyway)? Is it because you ‘have to have’ a newsfeed? Because you have to be ‘seen’ ‘making memories’? So glad it resonates with so many people!
Making memories, aside from being an annoyingly overused saying, is an oxymoron. And what about the other mantra of the day, to ālive mindfullyā, which totally contradicts “making memories.ā For starters, you cannot MAKE a memory. A memory is a thought about a past occurrence, so how do you create a past thought? Do you live so self-consciously that you plan out your future thoughts and memory perception? How is that even possible? You live your life and have experiences that may impact you and create a lasting memory, good or bad. You try to do fun, happy things with your children and family so they will enjoy the MOMENT. Will they look back fondly on that time? probably, but living life to create future thoughts is absurd. The only thing that came close to this sort of stupid “making memories” was when I took my son to Disney when he was about 2 years old, and we used to say, he probably is too young so he won’t remember. That was it really. Nowadays, we all sit around the holiday table telling funny stories and reminiscing about the past. Most of the stories have nothing to do with those “making memories” moments. More often than not, they are the little things that happened long ago, like remembering playing monopoly with grandma or that funny haircut you had. These certainly were not planned out events to imprint their minds with memories. Life happens and you remember what you remember. And if you are lucky you have fond memories of the past and of your loved ones.
Just found this because I was googling to see if anyone else hates this phrase. Me too! Just enjoy what you do. It may become a memory… it may not. You can’t MAKE memories.
Author
That’s it! Simple, right? š
I couldn’t agree more….. It’s a bragging phrase of the pretentious, whose experiences are far more superior to everyone else, and every second captured while they view it all via their camera screen to capture the ‘memories made’… Rather than actually be involved and actually enjoy it…. Pretentious
Author
The phrase does seem to grate a lot of people, Tina, doesn’t it?
Thank you SO MUCH for your thoughts about the. āMaking memories phrase.ā I cringe whenever I hear someone use that phrase. (Along with the phrase ā I am so blessed.ā). We all need to pay attention to what we are doing at the time we are doing it and not do something with a goal of āmaking a memory.ā I see so many people of all ages constantly using their phones to record memories instead of enjoying what they are doing at the time. I am glad to see that others agree with me on this ! Thanks for your thoughts !
Author
So many people tend to have the same feeling about this phrase, Ann! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts!
Amen! I was just googling where this phrase came from and your blog post was number one! Thereās a few people in my life that repeat this nonstop no matter what weāre doing. Itās annoying because I also know that pictures are the way kids remember their lives in a lot of ways. However I find it a fussy comment. Like Iām doing not doing enough I canāt figure out exactly how to keep it from sounding negative in my mind however it helps to know that I am not the only one with this opinion. Thanks for posting!
Author
He he – as you can probably judge from the comments, a few people feel the same way. It’s crazy to think this post shot to the top of the Google searches within weeks of writing it! We’re not alone š
Thank you so much for your article, Sara! I thought I was the only one who disliked this phrase, since everybody seems to be using it (a lot) these days! You expressed exactly what I was feeling.
Author
Glad to hear it, Mel! A lot of people (as you may have seen in the comments) can relate!
Put your camera away and enjoy the real thing
Author
Indeed!