Many adults are gravitating to journaling as a way to preserve memories for generations
Many of us feel self-conscious sharing our creative and personal work with others as if by opening that channel to the world, we not only allow for criticism of the work but of our life experience. But remember a time when that wasn’t the case? When writing your feelings, creating art, was for joy, for remembering.
Think back to childhood, when writing in a journal or diary was self-fulfilling. Your thoughts and dreams and emotions were recorded for you and you alone. You may even still have some of those hardbound diaries, tiny lock and key included.
We’re happy to say journaling isn’t for schoolchildren. During this time of crisis, more and more adults are gravitating to journaling as a way to preserve memories for generations to come.
For those of us looking to journal life’s important moments, it can seem like a large undertaking, one with insurmountable pressure. But it doesn’t have to be.
Create a schedule
Life is complicated and messy and beautiful, sometimes all in the same day. But having a moment or two each day or week to reflect on the now is important. Especially for older individuals–this time of reflection may even help keep your mind sharp.
Studies are connecting loneliness to major health obstacles, like Alzheimer’s and dementia in the elderly. But when you have something to look forward to, a time to share your intimate feelings, that loneliness may subside.
Your feelings
Creating a timeline at the very beginning of your journal may be overwhelming. The pressure to get things just right may even make you not want to continue with writing. But you must.
Instead, focus on your feelings. Write about your day, your family and friends. Write about what’s made you happy or sad. Perhaps a daily list of gratitude to propel you forward. You may be surprised what memories will come to the surface when you write about daily life–memories you thought you had long forgotten.
Mementos
A journal is perfect for writing, of course. But it’s also a place to store mementos from events, places, or even people. So don’t limit
your journaling to words. Your life story is more than words. Create a capsule for the everyday.
Make the everyday ordinary become extraordinary
It may feel silly at first, writing a journal to recap the little moments. But you are creating a record of your life story. One day you’ll be happy you did.
Over time, you may realize you’ve amassed a collection of journals, of life’s meaningful moments. Don’t let them collect dust on a shelf. Preserve them by incorporating those entries into your LifeBook Private Autobiography.
Not only will it be your words, but it will also be a perfect way to infuse those real-time moments into the page.
Ready to start this next phase of your life journey?
Contact us at LifeBook Memoirs to begin crafting your life story today.
