While you can, at this age. Trust me — you’ll have NO regrets. Other than that you didn’t keep a journal and take more photos. I have an exceptional memory, but still it’s not enough So save the emails and text threads you send. And keep every letter you receive, especially.
even the smallest things may not seem to matter in the moment, but when you fast forward a bit, you may be trying to grasp the memory without any luck. writing things down, taking pictures, collecting, etc. is all so important.
Video someone you love whilst they talk. Record the sound of the birds singing at your grandparents’ house, the sound of traffic in the distance. Write about literally anything, or even just make notes of what you think. Make shitty art, whether it’s poetry or painting or music. One day, you’ll be glad that you have more than just photos to remember your life by; there’ll be evidence you lived.
If you’re already visiting Badlands & Devil’s Tower — seeing stone-faced George, Tom, Abe & Teddy is a must. That was my I-90 trifecta. Are the endless Wall Drug billboards still a thing?
