I came across this old article from 2013 by Mikael Cho that echoes something I’ve been trying to be more aware of lately. Being present and in the moment.
It’s a good article about the importance of focusing not on how much you consume, but the quality of that consumption. The idea is framed in the way of helping you remember more of what you read and being mindful so as to inspire artistic creation (design, art, writing, etc), but it’s true of anything in life.
Vivid memories are linked tightly to emotions. Anything you remember well is because you felt something during the experience, usually a more extreme emotion – anger, deep sadness, overwhelming joy. You can’t feel these emotions if your entire being is not present.
Be present in body and mind and you’ll have a better experience and likely remember more. This is a core principle of Buddhism that I learned a couple years ago from the book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Every day I struggle with it.
Whether it be a dinner with close friends or a night at the movies, by focusing on being present, your senses can soak in every element of an experience.
Dan Hauk 