As you get older, time seems to fly by more quickly with every passing year. If you have children, you know that one minute they are taking their first unsteady steps and the next they are begging you for the car keys. It’s easy to forget the details of the meaningful everyday moments and the significant milestones in your family if you don’t write them down. Journaling about your family’s traditions, idiosyncrasies, victories and challenges helps you appreciate what is important to you and create a lasting record of your memories.
4 Simple Steps to Keep a Memory Journal
1. Pick your purpose.
Before you start a journal of your family memories, decide who your audience is. Do you want to keep a private account for your eyes only? Do you want a journal you can pass on to your children and grandchildren later in life? This will help you focus on what you want to write.
2. Start small.
Pay attention to the minor details of your day-to-day life that you might take for granted. What is an average weekday night like for your family? What did your kids talk about at the dinner table tonight? What is your favorite way to relax with your family when you have downtime? What is the funniest thing a family member said recently? Jot down a few items, even if it’s just a sentence or two, in your memory journal before going to bed each night.
3. Record family stories.
Every family has certain stories (whether accurate or slightly exaggerated over time) that come up over and over again. What stories make up your family’s history? Is it the time your oldest son got lost in Disneyland and you frantically searched the park, only to find him happily riding “It’s a Small World” over and over again? Or the family wedding where your wacky aunt took over the dance floor with her moves? Write these gems down!
4. Be consistent.
Memory journaling is best when you write regularly over time. If you start to feel yourself lag in your writing, focus on how much joy you receive from recording your memories in the moment and how happy you will be later that you took the time now.
What do you think about this idea? Do you keep a family memory journal? Add your thoughts in the comments!
If you want to learn more about the 24/7 motherhood struggle and how you can overcome it to create happy family memories, please download the free ebook, Avoiding the 24/7 Motherhood Struggle Through Journaling.
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