I've been thinking about how our social media apps create "memories"
for us - regurgitating our own posts back to us on their 1 year or 5 year anniversary.
Now that everything is catalogued digitally, photo albums have become obsolete, because social
media can show us our past whenever we want. But these algorithm-generated posts don't
compare to the act of intentionally creating memories to look back on.
I want to introduce you to the idea of a time capsule, and how it can help us process what
we've been through, and move forward into this strange new reality with our eyes open.
The idea is to intentionally capture a moment in history to preserve for the future.
The events that we're currently going through will be recorded by historians one day,
but how would you describe it as someone who lived through it?
The last 18 months have collectively been incredibly painful.
We've been through so much change and loss, and life feels like a state of
limbo and uncertainty - waiting to see what happens next, waiting for next instructions.
As long as we stay in this limbo, we can't move forward.
Grief is a messy and complicated process, but you're not alone.
I believe we need to actively honour the past,
help each other understand what we're going through, and find common ground together.
I decided to write letters to the things that I've lost during this time.
We've all lost so much, and there hasn't been
any way to process the grief of what we've been through.
I just started pouring my heart out onto the pages,
and allowed all the emotions a safe place to emerge.
It's scary to purposely focus on the painful things that have happened, but working through
our emotions is essential, otherwise they stay stuck inside us, and life becomes a foggy haze.
Nothing is as scary as that numb feeling of depression
when all the energy inside you is stagnant and dense.
Mourn the people you've lost, the friendships and connections that didn't survive, and loved
ones who passed away during this time. Funerals you couldn't go to, graduation
ceremonies and birthdays that you missed. Nothing is too small or too big to include.
Anniversaries spent in solitude,
the activities and ways of life that have drastically changed for you.
Talk about the plans that came to a halt, the dreams that you lost.
The changes that happened within you, and the changes that happened in your community.
Give yourself as much time as you need to do this -
I had several letters that I wrote, and it took me about a week, with a lot of rest in between.
In that time, emotions came up that I didn't realise were still inside me.
Things I thought I'd gotten over, but were still haunting me.
And things I was holding onto, that I realised I was ready to let go of.
You might also want to include artworks, objects, souvenirs, photos, or other physical items.
Once you've released everything from the past and the present,
you can write a letter to your future self.
What do you want your world to look like in 5 years? 10 years?
What are your hopes for the future?
Consider what you want the world's future to look like,
what you want for your community, and what you want for yourself.
The only constant in life is change, it won't be like this forever,
so if we want to have a say in the way that our future plays out, intention is important.
I'm hopeful for a world where we are connected to nature, rather than separate from it.
I'm hopeful for healing all around the world.
Where we encourage people to be different and authentically explore who they are.
I'm hopeful that this time will allow us to see the value in slowing down and looking around us,
taking the time to connect with our neighbours and community again.
I'm hopeful for a world which values mental health and wellbeing for each person,
not in a one-size-fits-all approach,
but in a way which is nuanced and compassionate to our individual needs.
I'm excited about the creative revival of our culture that historically emerges after
a period of suffering, and the beautiful ways we can express our love to each other.
Being hopeful for the future right now, is a radical act.
Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I hope it inspires you to make a time
capsule and reflect intentionally in a way that feels right for you.
It could be something you do individually or together with people you love. I'm looking forward
to getting back to joyful creative projects in my next video, but I wanted to share this with you.
We're alive, and stronger than we realise.