If you're like me, constantly feeling a twinge of guilt that you're not creating enough meaningful memories with your loved ones, I may have a solution for you. It’s something I stumbled upon recently, and it’s been a game-changer for my sanity. Let me 'splain.
For a couple of years, I’ve been plagued by this nagging feeling that I wasn’t spending enough quality time with my kids in nature. I had these grand visions of safaris, jungle treks, and epic road trips—experiences that would undoubtedly be a-mazing.
But life kept getting in the way. Work, school, you know the usual daily grind that leaves little room for such adventures. The result? The dreams stayed exactly that: dreams (followed by guilt).
But this summer, I decided to change things up.
Our tent where we played board games and watched movies
Listening to Myself
Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to embark on a grand adventure, I chose to do something small, simple, and, most importantly, doable—right now.
I realized that while I couldn’t swing a big expedition at the moment or maybe even this decade, I could definitely do...something. So, I decided to take each of my boys on a one-on-one camping trip this summer, right here in the UK.
The Two Simple Steps That Changed Everything
This shift in thinking led me to do two key things:
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Choose Something Doable—For the Now.
Instead of obsessing over that once-in-a-lifetime trip that may or may not happen, I chose something simple. A camping trip, close to home, with each of my kids. It wasn’t about grandeur; it was about quality time together. -
Take a Small Step Towards That Something Doable—Now.
This step is crucial. After deciding on the camping trips, I didn’t just let the idea simmer. I immediately took action—I booked a campsite. Took me 5 minutes. I didn’t overthink it. I didn’t wait until I had all the details perfectly lined up. Just told myself I’d figure out the rest later, and I did.
The Hack: Choose, Then Take a Small, Irreversible Step
That small, five-minute task of booking a campsite set everything else in motion. By making that one tiny commitment, I ended up creating experiences that I know will stay with all of us for years to come. If I had waited for the perfect time or 'kept things open', we never would have gone. Life would have gotten in the way, as it always does.
And that’s my new hack for creating memories: choose something simple and very doable, and then take a small but irreversible step to make it happen.
Once you’ve made that first little commitment, the rest will fall into place because it’s now a part of your future that you’re actively creating.
There is nothing like s'mores
Ten Little Moments Now >> One Grand Adventure “One Day”
This approach has taught me that ten little life moments now are far better than waiting for one grand adventure that may or may not ever happen.
The memories I’ve created with my kids through these smaller, more achievable experiences are just as valuable, if not more so, than those elusive big trips I once dreamed about.
This is even why I created BarkyBakey. I believe we need to take back control of the experiences we share with our loved ones. Things don't just have to happen 'to' us.
So, what little memory have you been wanting to create with your loved ones?
Whether it’s signing up for that art class with your partner, ordering a doggie treat baking mix for that lazy Sunday morning, or making a weekend reservation—take that small step now. Don’t wait.
The perfect time may never come, but the perfect moment is always there, waiting to be made.
Go ahead, make that memory.
