From journals to videos, BYUH students find personal ways to preserve memories
Documenting life is more than just a habit but a way of storytelling, said John Carlo Santiago, a senior double majoring in psychology and intercultural peacebuilding from the Philippines. “I’m forgetful, and I tend to forget experiences I had in my life,” he said. To combat this, he said he turns to photography and videography.
Storytelling through photos and videos
Santiago said his process of documenting has evolved over time. He recalled he first started journaling during his missionary service and would develop photos he took from his digital camera. “I unfortunately lost my journals at one point in my life. So instead, I found a simpler way by filming videos and taking photos of my life as a modern way of journaling,” he added.
He said he was grateful living in a digital age where people post on social media and treat posts as a form of keeping a journal to better stand the test of time. “If you check my social media accounts, I never miss a week of posting,” said Santiago. “As long as I have fun things done or experiences I don’t want to forget, I’ll post them,” he continued.
Santiago said people have told him to put his phone down and enjoy the moment. However, he said he feels differently. “I believe I am more present than detached when I am documenting my experiences,” he said. Santiago said when he visited New York, he made sure to visit locations from the movie “Home Alone 2.” “I love watching movies and looking at the places I’ve only ever seen on screen takes me back to childhood. It resonates with me because it helps me be the main character of my own story,” he continued.
Crafts and memories
Kristine Galang, a sophomore majoring in marketing from the Philippines, said she found her passion in journaling the traditional way through the Church initiative “Personal Progress.” It is an achievement program designed to help young women strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ and prepare for their future roles, says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. “I want to remember things that happened in my life, but I also want people to remember me,” said Galang. She said people will likely see who she is as a person through reading her journal.
“Personal Progress had activities that needed journaling,” Galang said. “At first, it was difficult for me to write everyday, but eventually I found peace during the first months doing it.” Galang said her love for journaling is a way to express herself. “I don’t limit myself from being creative and journaling gives me peace,” she added.
Inspired by watching Korean dramas and anime, she said she began incorporating themed designs and emotional elements into her journal pages. “During COVID-19, I ensure I was enhancing my journaling skills since I wasn’t really doing much at the time. I knew writing in a journal was the avenue I had to use to record my thoughts and feelings, she continued.
She said she did not have a lot of material elements when she first started journaling. “I started with a ready-made journal that had prompts and dates, and as soon as I noticed consistency in my writing, I began designing my own pages with photos, stickers and drawings,” she continued.
Galang said despite the rise of digital journaling, she prefers pen and paper. “I already use my devices every day, so I think if I turned journaling into a digital hobby, it wouldn’t be healthy,” she explained. “But I do see the appeal. It’s easier to publish a journal page if you work on it online,” she added.
A therapeutic tool
According to Journal Habit, audio journals offer convenience and flexibility and allow people to record their thoughts even when a pen and paper aren’t available. “Known for her audio diaries is Iolene Catalano, who struggled with substance abuse. Her audio diary, ‘All the Way Broken,’ contains her thoughts on tape leaving a raw and emotional record of her life,” says the website.
The website says Catalano’s recordings won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1996 and served as an honest testimony of her experiences. Women’s Health Magazine also says TikTok plays a large part in the growth of audio or voice journaling. “It offers a quick and easy way to let your thoughts flow without the hassle of noting them down,” the website says.
Peleg Amkoya, a counseling psychologist at Peaches and Screams, says audio journaling comes with spontaneity of speech, which means people will less likely censor themselves compared to writing. “It helps individuals process their thoughts, speak freely and reflect on their entries over time,” he added.
Amokoya said audio journaling can evoke a more immersive recall of memories and emotions. “It is more than just a therapeutic tool. It’s an auditory adventure into the soul,” he added.