Reflecting on Time: Grasping Moments, and Listening to ABBA
*Cue “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA*
Recently, I listened to the podcast “Can We Keep Time?” by the Atlantic. I found myself reflecting on how I engage with time. From the fear of losing it to the relentless desire to control it, and how my relationship with time shapes my experiences and perceptions.
One thought discussed on the podcast that I thought was interesting was the modern tendency to document daily life digitally and in writing. It’s a reflection of our collective effort to grasp onto fleeting moments. Yet, amidst this digital era, there’s a yearning to capture more than just visuals — but a desire to encapsulate the feeling of the moments so we can keep the memory of it safe. As someone in their mid-twenties, I could relate a lot to this topic. It’s a topic I’ve been thinking about often these days, which is privacy and what to share online, which my thoughts have also shifted on as I have gotten older. I struggle between deciding to share a happy moment online, and the privacy it gives in not sharing publicly; I worry that in possibly sharing it, I could potentially take away the preciousness of the moment. Although, this could just be me overthinking something again.
It’s like a paradox in the digital age — feeling as though experiences seem validated only once they are shared online. The podcast touched upon this phenomenon, highlighting how, until something is posted or a certain number of people acknowledge it, it feels as though it doesn’t truly exist. For me, I can resonate with this on days like my birthday or New Year's when I feel as though I should reflect and post online, and if I miss that moment in time, I may miss an opportunity that I can’t get back because of timing.
The podcast took an intriguing turn when it explored the role of parents in shaping our relationship with time. It was noted that parents who engage with their children’s interpretation of the past are less likely to suffer from mental illness. I thought that this was an interesting study that shows the power of memory in shaping our emotional well-being from childhood that we carry into adulthood.
These days, as I get older, I find myself still grappling with time and the expectations placed upon me as a daughter, young professional, woman, sister, etc. This podcast served as a thoughtful reminder that change is inevitable. Everything will change, but at its core, I will always remain myself. Instead of futilely trying to control time or plan, I should strive to understand and appreciate the present moment and try to stay true to myself.
“At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be, can’t let nobody make that decision for you….” -Moonlight (2016)
