Faraway Goals

I like the feature in iCloud photos, where it reminds what happened on this day, year(s) ago. It showed some cute photos of your loved ones, or a trip you have forgotten about. It also reminded where you were a few years ago, not only in the literal sense, but also figuratively. For example it reminded moments when I was working in Malaysia, and also along with it, how I was feeling at that time. Most of the time, it makes me feel very lucky to be where I am today.

Inversely when trying to view where yourself are in the future, it almost always seem so difficult to achieve what you plan to do. Goals seem so faraway. But like the photos, where you don’t stop and look at the photos you shot, you will also soon forget your goal, just as soon you pass them. Only when you try to recap, that you would remember.

I do have a monthly reminder to do the recap. It prompts me to list one achievement or actions that I dreaded, but have finally completed. Normally that would always be possible, because one month is quite enough for one (or even two) action that suits that criteria. But initially when trying to write it down, it sometimes feel that I had nothing to worry about this past month, hence no real achievement. Only when I looked through my calendar or try to remember harder, then I can remember what I have struggled to complete. Inversely when I look to tomorrow, I fret even the little mundane task like going to work or the daily meetings that I need to attend. I guess we humans are not wired for good past events, but focused more on future worse possible outcome.

I try to work that out but I am still in the process, and writing this out hopes helps in my understanding, and maybe hopefully benefit you too.

Thank you for reading.

p.s. yes I know the feature is also available in Onedrive etc.