Why Travel is the Best Way to Form Core Memories (and why this is important)

When I was about 16 years old, my newly blended family took our first big trip together. Over Thanksgiving, we headed to the Turks and Caicos for a few days. Despite careful planning, the Thanksgiving travel chaos resulted in canceled flights and we found ourselves stranded in Miami for Thanksgiving. I will never forget our family making the most of everthing and enjoying takeout for our first Thanksgiving.

While this story might not sound like a travel success, it has formed a core memory and is something I look back on with a smile. Do I remember every Thanksgiving meal of my life and who I was with? Not really, but the combination of travel, the people I was with and the things that went wrong are foundational memories for my childhood.

What are Core Memories

Core memories are deeply significant and vivid recollections that shape our identities and influence our emotions, behavior, and personality. They often involve meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. Here are some characteristics and examples of core memories:

• Emotional Intensity: Core memories are often associated with strong emotions such as joy, sadness, excitement, fear, or love.

• Significance: These memories typically involve events or experiences that have had a profound impact on our lives.

• Vividness: Core memories are usually very detailed and clear, often feeling as if they happened recently even if they occurred long ago.

• Recurrent Recall: We tend to revisit these memories frequently, either consciously or subconsciously.

• Formative Influence: Core memories play a crucial role in shaping our beliefs, values, and personality.

(exploring Rocky Mountain National Park)

Why do We Need Core Memories?

When I first had my kids and I began thinking what I wanted for my children - I thought of things like:

• I want them to be happy

• I want them to be strong and reilient

• I want them to be responsible

• I want them to have options in their life

The next logical step is how do we get there as humans and one simple answer is to create core memories that can carry you through life’s challenges.

Core memories play a vital role in identity formation, helping to define who we are and what we value. Positive core memories provide emotional resilience, offering comfort and strength during difficult times. They often serve as life guidance, influencing our decisions and behaviors based on past experiences and lessons learned. Additionally, shared core memories can strengthen bonds with others, creating a sense of belonging and understanding.

While many people focus on childhood when they talk about core memories, you continue to form and rely on these memories throughout life.

(sleeping in a hut over the water in Thailand)

Where you Won’t Form Core Memories

Before I jump into how travel can help form core memories, it’s important to think where you won’t develop these memories - mainly in your day to day life. You aren’t likely to develop a core memory:

• Playing video games

• Scrolling on your phone

• Running errands

• Creating spreadsheets

• You get the idea

In order to form core memories either as a child or an adult - you need to get out of your day to day and experience big things - big emotions, big skylines, big travel days, intense family time, etc. It’s these hightened moments that make impressions and travel is one of the best ways to deliver these moments.

(sleeping in earth huts in Sweden)

How to Create Core Memories Through Travel

Here are just a few ways to build core memories:

• Exposure to New Cultures and Perspectives: Travel introduces you to diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life, enriching your understanding and appreciation of the world.

• Creating Lasting Experiences: Unique experiences like visiting iconic landmarks, trying new cuisines, and participating in local festivals become cherished memories.

• Strengthening Relationships: Traveling with family or friends fosters bonding and creates shared memories that strengthen your relationships.

• Personal Growth and Development: Overcoming challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone during travel boosts confidence and fosters personal growth.

• Learning and Education: Travel is an educational experience that enhances your knowledge about history, geography, art, and more through firsthand exposure.

• Enhanced Creativity and Inspiration: Experiencing different environments and cultures can spark creativity and inspire new ideas and perspectives.

• Stress Relief and Well-being: Taking a break from daily routines and immersing yourself in new surroundings helps reduce stress and promotes mental well-being.

• Building Empathy and Compassion: Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and understanding their lives and struggles fosters empathy and compassion.

• Creating Stories to Share: Travel adventures provide exciting stories and anecdotes to share with others, enriching social interactions.

• Developing a Sense of Adventure: Exploring new places and trying new activities cultivates a sense of adventure and curiosity, encouraging a lifelong love for discovery.

There are so many benefits to travel, but creating these shared core memories is one that keeps me heading out on trip with my own family - drop me a comment or share if you have similar travel stories that have become your own core memory.

(stuggling in the extreme heat in the Colloseum in Rome - core memory!)

Have fun out there,

Gretchen