One for the ‘gram… and for the memories ✨

By Aminah Madihah

Because you only live once, right?

We all have that one friend who loves to take pictures and film everything when you’re out with them. About to eat brunch? They’ll ask you to wait until all the food arrives so they can capture the perfect shot before anyone digs in. Found a pretty spot? They’ll probably hand over their phone so you can snap a photo of their outfit of the day. Interestingly, some of these people don’t even post these photos and videos on social media. They simply keep them as cherished memories.

Personally, I love people like this - probably because I am one of them. I find joy in taking photos and videos of anything I find interesting or beautiful. My social media feed isn’t just filled with photos of myself; it’s filled with the people and things that bring me happiness. I enjoy sharing my gallery so others can see the world through my eyes. This touch of whimsy makes life so much more enjoyable and fun! Being in the moment is a fantastic way to enjoy your time. However, I’d recommend you start documenting your life. Here’s why:

#1 For memory keepsakes
Think about those great days spent with family or friends that you never want to forget. That's why people take photos. Growing up, many of us have family albums or tapes of special occasions. A camera helps capture moments and details that might otherwise fade away. Looking back at these photos and videos can trigger memories and give a clearer picture of past events. As they say, people might change over time, but the moments captured in photos last forever.

#2 It’s a way to express yourself
I believe each person views the world uniquely, as beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes, you notice little things that others don’t. When you open someone’s Instagram feed, it feels like you’re seeing the world from their perspective. This glimpse into another person's life is fascinating and can reveal a lot about them. Their feed might be filled with food, daily outfits, pets, pretty scenery, and even pictures of the sky, reflecting their interests and personality. Every photo and video taken holds meaning for the person who captured it. So when you look back at your gallery, it can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth.

#3 Cultivate creativity and inspiration
You know how some people can take pictures of mundane things and make them look beautiful? Some even enhance their photos with filters and create short video content from their footage. That’s creativity in action. Photos and videos can look even better when you use your creativity to edit them. Regular documentation fosters creativity and provides a platform for self-expression. Try it yourself with some free editing apps and see what you can come up with! Who knows you might be able to reach a lot of engagements on TikTok, Instagram or even YouTube.

#4 Goal tracking and motivation
The best part about documenting your life? You can look back and see how much you’ve changed and grown over time! For example, when you look through photos from when you were studying back in college, you’ll notice how different you used to look and how your surroundings have changed now that you’ve graduated and started working in a new environment. You’ll realise how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are now. Documenting your goals and achievements helps you track your progress, cherish your milestones and stay motivated.

So get out there and capture your best moments! Pick up your phone and start documenting - you won’t regret it.

Photo by Bibi Pace on Unsplash.

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