Related, but whenever I get off of an airplane I remind myself that never in the future of the universe will this group of people be together again.

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason where I actually really value having phones around so much. I feel I remember special moments much better when I have a pic or video. I’m sure the number of photos my folks took in my whole childhood is less than what I take in one year with my kids.

It's the opposite for me. I lost my phone for a week that included a kid's birthday party and a weekend getaway. I was so PRESENT that I remember that week so much better than other parties and trips where I was distracted by my phone and trying to "capture" the moment.

I find photos end up supplanting full memories.

Anonymous wrote:Is this anxiety?

If I’m sitting at the table with my kid and we’re having dinner even though we may do it everyday, we won’t ever have that exact moment again. Whether good or bad in every situation I always think that I will never have this exact moment again in my entire life.

I have these kinds of feelings a lot, I think some people are just much more sensitive to the passage of time than others, for better or for worse. I don’t think its a sign of some sort of clinical issue unless it is interfering with your life in some meaningful way.

This is one reason where I actually really value having phones around so much. I feel I remember special moments much better when I have a pic or video. I’m sure the number of photos my folks took in my whole childhood is less than what I take in one year with my kids.

Anonymous wrote:Is this anxiety?

If I’m sitting at the table with my kid and we’re having dinner even though we may do it everyday, we won’t ever have that exact moment again. Whether good or bad in every situation I always think that I will never have this exact moment again in my entire life.

If you meditate, this is an idea that is emphasized. You will never have this exact moment again, which is why you always want stay present. If you spend your time ruminating on silly stuff, precious moments are passing by and you'll never get them again.

Anonymous wrote:Nietasche’s concept of eternal return is a great way to understand those feelings

Thank you. I never studied philosophy so am always grateful to come across old things that are new to me.

I always imagine that I am a time -traveller and I have come to revisit this moment. It makes even the mundane so beautiful.

I imagine that I am very old and on my deathbed and I have been given a chance to come back to my toddler having a meltdown and it just makes me happy and calm.

Welcome to the real world. Don’t waste your days worrying about the past. Live in the present.

My youngest is three, and I LOVE this age, and I have this feeling all the time.

I believe the Japanese refer to this awareness as “mono no aware.”

I have a fairly photographic memory so I've never had this thought. A friend does actually have this as a disorder and I don't know that I'd want to be burdened with an even more extreme version of what I have.

Enjoy every moment.

Anonymous wrote:Is this anxiety?

If I’m sitting at the table with my kid and we’re having dinner even though we may do it everyday, we won’t ever have that exact moment again. Whether good or bad in every situation I always think that I will never have this exact moment again in my entire life.

You’re like those ninnies who claim no 2 snowflakes are alike. First, how do you know? Second, so what?

Anonymous wrote:OP I have been feeling something similar a LOT. We had a wonderful vacation to visit another family and after felt so sad we could never recapture it exactly again. We could meet again but the kids won't be the same ages and the connection and experience will be different. I feel like that a lot about my kids growing up and "X won't be the same" about a lot of experiencea, both special and mundane. And similarly an extreme FOMO if we have to miss for example someone else's milestone event - that is fine and we can't ever recreate it exactly and be there. I think maybe it's an ages/stages thing for me personally. I should be happy and grateful for all the positive things I am mentioning but it all has this tinge more recently.

I mean, "that it's gone"

OP I have been feeling something similar a LOT. We had a wonderful vacation to visit another family and after felt so sad we could never recapture it exactly again. We could meet again but the kids won't be the same ages and the connection and experience will be different. I feel like that a lot about my kids growing up and "X won't be the same" about a lot of experiencea, both special and mundane. And similarly an extreme FOMO if we have to miss for example someone else's milestone event - that is fine and we can't ever recreate it exactly and be there. I think maybe it's an ages/stages thing for me personally. I should be happy and grateful for all the positive things I am mentioning but it all has this tinge more recently.

Anonymous wrote:Nostalgic depression.

Oh, is this a real thing? I’m curious now to look it up. Is it like SAD?