Time capsuling life right now; a great family project

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Published Date 8/20/2020

How much fun is it to find old items from the past — things that remind you of when kids were small, grandparents were around, and your needs were fewer?

Living WellSpendingLess' Ruth Soukup talks about preserving memories for families, tucking them away by creating a time capsule. It makes for a great family project, and when it's opened 10 years from now, when you'll be able to look back on these days of attending school and working from home during the pandemic.

First, Soukup suggests you find a hiding place for the time capsule. "Time capsules come in many different forms and can be hidden away in different ways," she says. "You can choose to create a traditional "buried" time capsule or simply store your items in a sealed container or box and hide it somewhere in your house." She goes on to say that buried capsules are very susceptible to damage. "Even professionally made capsules have yielded disappointing recoveries. Water, dirt, and pressure aren't friendly to most time capsules—even pods created specifically for the task. If you do choose to bury your time capsule, you'll want to ensure the container is strong, weather-proof, and water-tight." Keep it somewhere safe and out of the reach of rodents, spiders, bugs, and other visitors you'd rather not host. Perhaps the basement, an attic or a crawl space might work. And if you're doing any remodeling, you can place it in the rafters or inside a wall — as long as there is a way to access it without damaging your house.

Next, consider the container. It should be durable and weather-resistant, like plastic and metal — whatever is air and water-tight as possible. "You may want to also line your container with acid-free paper and include silica gel packets (like the kind you find in shoeboxes) to help ward off any moisture damage," says Soukup. They actually do make stainless steel capsules specially made for storing your memories, along with less expensive waterproof rubberized polymer jars that can be used as small capsules.

What to place in the time capsule? If it's a family affair, get everyone involved, as each has a different idea of what are important mementos that are archive-worthy. The nature of what they come up with will tell a part of their story ten years hence. Says Soukup, "Imagine your high school self—Would you include scrunchies? A New Kids on the Block cassette? Photos of you doing school assignments on Zoom? Often included are figurines, a toy from their favorite movie, or another item that reflects their likes and preferences. Lists of favorite songs, subjects in school, books, music groups, and movies are great. "One of the best time capsule additions is a letter to your future self, "she says. "Each person should write a letter—what do you want for your future self? What are the goals you hope to achieve by the time you unearth your capsule? What advice or values do you want your future self to follow or reflect on?"

Forget about liquids, foods, and anything that requires a battery. They can corrode, leak, and destroy everything you've stored. And avoid anything that might not hold up to heat, cold, pressure or other conditions your capsule might face.

It's important that you all agree on a timeframe — someone's birthday or anniversary? Graduation day or a wedding? New Year's day 20 years from now? Set a time to open the capsule and choose a future date you'll remember as a family. Then close it up, seal it and place your time capsule in its new home. Be sure to write the date on the outside: "Do not open until Jan 1st, 2035" designate one family member as the keeper of the capsule — the person who oversees making sure the capsule gets moved (or doesn't get forgotten) if your family relocates down the road.

Source: WellSpendingLess | TBWS

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