| Several years ago I read a blog post by Erin Sheehan called The Memory Jar. I thought, at the time, what a great idea, and did absolutely nothing about it. I recently came across the original post in my archives. Again, I thought what a great idea; but, what would I put in the jar, since I seem to be writing about something every day, and in several different places. |  |
You see, I have more than one journal on the go all the time. They are varying in size, and one or two get to be with me where ever I go, just in case I have a thought I need to record. Some are strictly for book writing, some record thoughts for articles, blogs and references, and some are personal.
Then I realized that the jar was not meant to keep all of my thoughts, only the ones that gave me, a personal entry in my memory chip. That one thing that made the gray matter sit up and take notice.
All too often, when I make an entry in my journal(s), it includes details to remind me of the whole thought or story when I need to refer to them later, and I always include the date.
So here’s the thing, why bother when there are so many tech options to record your memories. Impersonal, words abbreviated and autocorrected left for you to try and decipher later. Stored on a device that might overwrite, delete or crash—the memory is gone.
Why not put a few words on a slip of paper, include the date, and pop it into a memory jar. At the end of the year, you get to go through the jar, in whatever order the papers come out, and relive the memory. In my case, if I want or need more detail, I would be able to go to the journal on the date provided and read the whole story, capturing the memory once again.
The Memory Jar entries don’t need to be a daily occurrence, don’t need to be all fuzzy and warm, or sad for that matter—it’s your choice to decide what kind of memories you want to go into the jar.
Make it a family affair. Leave a stack of 2” x 2” pieces of paper and a pencil beside the jar for everyone to add something when they feel the urge. Remember to date it, and most of all, have fun with it.
Then I realized that the jar was not meant to keep all of my thoughts, only the ones that gave me, a personal entry in my memory chip. That one thing that made the gray matter sit up and take notice.
All too often, when I make an entry in my journal(s), it includes details to remind me of the whole thought or story when I need to refer to them later, and I always include the date.
So here’s the thing, why bother when there are so many tech options to record your memories. Impersonal, words abbreviated and autocorrected left for you to try and decipher later. Stored on a device that might overwrite, delete or crash—the memory is gone.
Why not put a few words on a slip of paper, include the date, and pop it into a memory jar. At the end of the year, you get to go through the jar, in whatever order the papers come out, and relive the memory. In my case, if I want or need more detail, I would be able to go to the journal on the date provided and read the whole story, capturing the memory once again.
The Memory Jar entries don’t need to be a daily occurrence, don’t need to be all fuzzy and warm, or sad for that matter—it’s your choice to decide what kind of memories you want to go into the jar.
Make it a family affair. Leave a stack of 2” x 2” pieces of paper and a pencil beside the jar for everyone to add something when they feel the urge. Remember to date it, and most of all, have fun with it.
Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."
#KeepingMemories #FunForTheFamily #WritersCache #TheQuietSpirits
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