Where were you in 1996? Take a moment and really think about it.
Where were you living? What filled your days? What music was on repeat, and what did your favorite outfit look like? Maybe you were heading off to school in flannel and Doc Martens, building a career in your first real job, or chasing toddlers around the house. Maybe 1996 was loud and exciting—or quiet and uncertain. Either way, it was yours.
Lately, there’s been a surge of nostalgia inviting us to revisit that specific year. But the truth is, it’s not really about 1996. It’s about something much bigger.
It’s Not Just 1996—It’s Any Year
Pick a year. Any year. 1996. 2006. 2016. Last summer.
Every single one holds a version of you that no longer exists—someone shaped by the people, places, and moments of that time. And tucked inside those years are vivid snapshots: the song that instantly transports you back in time, the hat you wore until it fell apart, the photo you’ve kept in a drawer for decades.
We all have these anchors, the objects and memories that pull us back to “way back when.” A concert t-shirt isn’t just a shirt. It’s the night you sang every word with your friends, the feeling of freedom, the version of yourself that felt invincible.
A certificate, a ticket stub, a handwritten note—these aren’t just things. They’re evidence of a life fully lived, in moments both big and small.
The Small Moments Matter More Than You Think
It’s easy to assume that only major milestones deserve to be remembered—graduations, weddings, promotions. But what about everything in between?
Our co-founder Heather recently came across a stash of photos from her high school days and her daughter was in awe. The clothes! The hair! The concerts! Heather had forgotten how she had spent the summer of '96 working two jobs and attending every Phish concert within driving distance of her childhood home. Funny, because that's just what her daughter wants to do this summer.
The everyday moments are often the ones that define us most:
- The summer you spent making friendship bracelets at camp
- The first apartment that barely had furniture but felt like independence
- The hobby you picked up on a whim that turned into a lifelong passion
- The concert t-shirt you wore so often it became part of your identity
These moments may feel small at the time, but they’re rich with meaning. And over time, they become the stories we wish we had captured more fully. Because memory fades. Details blur. And eventually, even the most vivid experiences can become harder to recall.
Why Capturing Your Story Matters
The people who come after us—our kids, grandkids, and beyond—don’t automatically know who we were. They might know the broad strokes. Where we lived. What we did for work. Maybe a few stories that get told again and again. But they don’t know what it felt like to be you in 1996. Or 1976. Or 2016.
They don’t know what made you laugh, what you worried about, or what you dreamed of, unless you tell them.
How to Turn Memories Into Artifcts
That’s where Artifcting comes in. Artifcting is the act of preserving not just your objects, but the stories behind them—so they can live on far beyond your memory. Looking for an easy way to get started?
- Start with What You Already Have
Look around your home. Open a drawer, a closet, or an old box in the attic. Find something that instantly takes you back:
- A photo from the ‘90s
- A concert t-shirt (Fun fact! Our Advisory Board Member Matt Paxton recently spent an afternoon with his teenage son Artifcting his vintage concert t-shirts from the 90s.)
- A piece of jewelry
- A letter or postcard
If it sparks a memory, it’s worth preserving.
- Capture the Story, Not Just the Object
Ask yourself:
- Where did this come from?
- Why did it matter to me?
- What was happening in my life at the time?
- Who was I then?
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning.
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning
- Add Context That Only You Can Provide
This is the part no one else can recreate, especially the most well-intentioned AI-apps that promise to tell you your story. (Naturally, we have our doubts about that.)
Describe the details:
- What you were wearing?
- Who you were with?
- What the world felt like at that moment?
These personal insights transform a simple item into a living memory.
- Preserve It Digitally
Open the Artifcts App and upload your photo or a photo of your item and pair it with your story. Now it’s not just stored—it’s documented, searchable, and shareable with the people who matter most. Bonus! Add audio or video too for greater context and details that only you can provide.
- Share It Across Generations
Invite your family into the experience by privately sharing the Artifct with them. Your stories become a bridge—connecting generations through shared history, personal insight, and emotional truth.
Your Story Is Still Unfolding
Thinking back to 1996 might feel like a fun exercise in nostalgia. But it’s also a reminder: the life you’re living right now will one day be “way back then,” too.
What from today will you wish you had captured?
- The coffee mug you use every morning
- The playlist that defines this season of your life
- The photo sitting unnoticed on your phone
These are tomorrow’s Artifcts just waiting to be captured today. You don’t need a milestone. You don’t need a perfect story. You just need a moment—and the willingness to preserve it.
So ask yourself again: Where were you in 1996? Then take the next step. Capture it. Tell it. Artifct it. Because your story deserves to be remembered—not just by you, but by everyone who comes after.
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You might also enjoy reading these related ARTIcles:
Photos + Timelines Go Better Together
How to Artifct That Photo
How to Artifct That Heirloom
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Sorry, this Artifct is private! But it definitely has a QR code sticker attached to the back of the frame. 
