Where does the Time go??
So much of our lives are spent planning or scheduling a variety of things whether they are appointments, fun outings, or anything in between. I will always remember a discussion I had with my dad so long ago that I can't recall how old I was but it still sticks out in my brain. We were talking about the upcoming Christmas holiday and young me was saying that I wish I could just skip right to Christmas morning and open all of my presents. As his response, my father said something along the lines of recommending not to wish time away.
We chatted about how if you are constantly hoping to skip to the fun moments or holidays or plans, life will rush by and what you are looking forward to will seem to be over before it begins. That has been at the front of my brain lately for whatever reason because I truly think back to big milestones in my life and they are already becoming more and more distant. Taking it back to graduating high school, I always thought of 2017 as the far away year that I will arrive at someday but now it's almost been 7 years ago. Since then, I have graduated from college and received two degrees in education and completed my first year teaching.
But those "big" moments, as well as moving out of my parents' home in 2021, have been main takeaways of these blog posts so I don't want to sound repetitive. The point I am trying to make with this post, only 57 days away form 2024, is that so much of what I looked forward to is now a part of a fading memory. Even as I am writing this, I am struggling to remember if I have written about this in the past but like everyone else, I don't remember everything that I have done. Despite that uncertain thoughts, I am more concerned with the unavoidable habit of looking forward to what I have ahead but ultimately forgetting it years (or even months) later.
That's why I am so motivated to write or document various points in my life, even those that seem mundane. I wish there was the ability to sort through memories and play them like a movie to not only enjoy what's happening in the moment but also enjoy it forever. I am already planning to start posting more next year with photos or videos but not with the fancy edits. Not because I am losing interest or motivation to create but because I want to continue the ability to look back on moments without the stress or wasted time on making it picture-perfect.
My mind is starting to get in the habit of viewing life as a long checklist and just crossing off the days as they come and go but it's so much more than that! It's about meeting so many wonderful people and creating meaningful relationships through incredible opportunities. Even if it seems to fly by and some moments may never be thought of again, enjoying what is right in front of you is always important to do! I have no idea how much sense I just made with this post but it was mostly just for me to put into words how conflicted I get with the balance of looking ahead while also cherishing what's directly in front of me! Today, I am grateful for the cinnamon rolls I may have burnt in the oven but still tasted and smelled delicious and eager to lead another fun rehearsal!