📨 With Valentine’s Day, Ramadan, and Mother’s Day all approaching, we’ll all have our fair share of cherished moments with our loved ones; quiet nights-in gathered together, new experiences, and days we’ll want to look back on. In truth, memories have never been easier to store — yet it’s exactly this that makes them harder to savor and cherish.

From overflowing galleries to moments drowned in group chats, we tend to lose track of what matters most. Here are some ways you can safeguard your favorite memories, keep them close to heart, and bring them to life.

The first steps

We tend to experience the present as an anticipated memory, clinging to each and every singular moment by attempting to immortalize it through Instagram stories and Facebook posts. In our attempt to capture more, we retain less and lose track. So what’s the workaround?

#1- Declutter your phone: This weekend, if you find yourself with an hour to spare, go through your digital galleries. Scroll all the way up and make your way down, take note of significant events and your favorite moments, and group them in labeled albums you can easily find.

#2- Invite your loved ones to shared albums: Both Apple Photos and Google Photos allow groups of individuals to upload images and videos to albums accessible simultaneously by each member. By having each individual contribute to a collective album, you’re allowing yourself more time to savor the present, and affording yourself less pressure to single-handedly pull out your phone every few minutes.

Slow down

Overloading ourselves with photos hinders our ability to remember, according to a recent University of Würzburg study (pdf). While phones are unmatched in terms of accessibility and convenience, they might not produce the best depiction of the present moment. Offloading our memories to our phones may weaken our ability to recall certain details and reconstruct them, the research finds. By being mindful of the moments we capture, we can ensure our memories remain faithful to how we truly experienced them.

Interested in putting your phone down and going old-school? Here are a few options for your consideration.

#1- The MNDR 35 Film Camera: A simple-to-use gadget, MNDR’s reusable film camera is the kind of gadget that’s easy to carry around, fun to look at, and invites you to savor the present while capturing the moments that truly matter. The camera works with a variety of different film rolls and comes with built-in flash, so there’s no curfew on your memories.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can check out MNDR’s catalogue on their website.

#2- Instax Minis: Need a memory to take home? A polaroid camera will do the trick. Essentially requiring no action from you other than a point-and-shoot, Instax’s analog cameras are perfect for making sure your photos aren’t lost in a digital dark hole, with images printed instantly upon capture.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can browse through the different Instax cameras and supplies through the website.

#3- Xiaomi Portable: If decluttering your phone leaves you with photos you can’t help but feel like wanting in your hands, Xiaomi’s portable photo printer can make that happen in minutes. The wireless bluetooth printer seamlessly connects to your device, enabling you to print high-resolution color images straight from your gallery.

WHERE TO GET IT-You can find the gadget on Amazon.

Bringing memories to life

Speaking of holding your memories in your hands, there are plenty of ways to bring them to life right from the comfort of your couch. A slew of online and offline Egyptian businesses have made it their bread and butter to offer creative ways to display your media — these ones in particular caught our attention…

#1- Picskis: We’d wager that it’s been a while since you’ve picked up a physical photo book — that can change. Offering customizable photobooks and magazines filled with all your photos and mixed media, Picskis lets you keep your memories on a bookshelf. You can place your order through their website.

#2- Design Avenue: Need a few pictures framed but haven’t had the time to see it through? Design Avenue offers frame set customization, photo printing, and delivery. You can browse through their website for inspiration, and reach out through Instagram DMs for inquiries and orders.

#3- Maramzy: Not looking to frame photos but rather travel memorabilia? Egyptian lifestyle brand Maramzy offers a variety of glass wall frames that let you frame everything from plane tickets and concert wristbands to polaroids and post cards. You can find the frames on the brand’s website.

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