The Sweetness of Memory: Bon-Bons, Chocolates, and Mindfulness

Some memories don't live in photographs or journals—they live in taste. In the latest episode of the Modernly Mindful podcast, I explore how simple pleasures like bon-bons and chocolates can transport us back to cherished moments, and why embracing nostalgia is an act of mindfulness.

The Power of Sensory Memory

There's something magical about the way a single taste can unlock an entire world of memory. For me, bon-bons aren't just candy—they're portals to my great grandmother's home, to afternoons spent with my sister Harmony, to the feeling of being small and safe and loved.

Sensory memories are some of the most powerful we possess. Unlike visual memories that can fade or distort over time, the memory of taste, smell, and texture remains remarkably vivid. When we encounter these sensory triggers again, they don't just remind us of the past—they transport us there completely.

In this episode, I share how these sweet moments shaped not just my childhood, but my creative practice today. The same wonder I felt discovering those bon-bons is the wonder I try to capture in every bronze sculpture, every piece of handcrafted jewelry I create.

Not All Memories Need Healing

We often hear about processing difficult memories, healing from trauma, and releasing what no longer serves us. And that work is vital—I've done plenty of it myself. But in our rush to heal and grow, we sometimes forget that not all memories need to be processed or released.

Some memories are simply meant to be savored.

The bon-bons and chocolates of our past—those moments of pure, uncomplicated joy—deserve to be honored exactly as they are. They don't need analysis or transformation. They're perfect in their sweetness, and returning to them isn't regression. It's nourishment.

Mindfulness Through Nostalgia

When we practice mindfulness, we're often encouraged to stay present, to focus on the here and now. But there's a mindful way to engage with memory too. It's about being fully present with the memory—allowing yourself to experience it completely without judgment, without trying to change it or learn from it.

It's about savoring.

In the episode, I talk about how this practice of mindful nostalgia has influenced my work at Modernly Mindful. My bronze sculptures—the contemporary owls, the botanical figures with Art Nouveau influence, the organic nature spirits—all carry echoes of those early creative moments in my grandparents' yard in Omaha, where I first discovered clay at age seven.

Those memories don't dictate my art. They inform it. They remind me of the pure joy of creation before it became complicated by expectation or comparison.

The Gift of Simple Pleasures

In a world that constantly demands more—more productivity, more achievement, more transformation—there's radical power in honoring simple pleasures. A piece of chocolate. A quiet afternoon. A memory that makes you smile.

These aren't distractions from the "real work" of life. They're essential nutrients for the soul.

As I've built Modernly Mindful over the past two years, I've learned that sustainability in business and creativity comes from these moments of sweetness. The days I allow myself to remember, to savor, to simply be—those are the days that fuel everything else.

Creating New Sweet Memories

The beautiful thing about understanding the power of these sensory memories is that we can be intentional about creating new ones. Not every moment needs to be Instagram-worthy or life-changing. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quietest ones.

In my shop at Sundial Shopping Center in Carefree, I try to create an environment where people can have these moments. Where they can slow down, appreciate beauty, and maybe create a new sensory memory—the weight of a handcrafted silver necklace, the cool smoothness of bronze, the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by art that invites contemplation rather than demands attention.

An Invitation to Savor

This episode is an invitation. An invitation to identify your own "bon-bons"—those memories that are purely sweet, that need no healing or processing. An invitation to return to them without guilt, to let them nourish you.

And perhaps most importantly, an invitation to create new moments worth savoring. To slow down enough to taste your coffee, to notice the light, to appreciate the small pleasures that make life rich.

Because in the end, these are the memories we'll carry. Not the achievements or the accolades, but the taste of chocolate shared with someone we love. The feeling of being exactly where we belong.

Listen and Reflect

I invite you to listen to the full episode and reflect on your own sweet memories. What are your bon-bons? What sensory experiences transport you back to moments of pure joy?

Share your stories with me on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @modernlymindful. I'd love to hear what memories nourish your soul.

And if you're in the Carefree area, stop by the shop. Let's create a new sweet memory together.

Listen to "Bon-Bon, Chocolates and Memories" wherever you get your podcasts, or visit modernlymindful.com/episodes.