Our views change as we gain experience, and old memories vanish as new ones replace them. Wouldn't it be nice if you could write down your memories immediately so you can hand them down to future generations?
In February 2010, scientist Morris Villarroel did just that. He began his ambitious 10-year experiment of keeping a record of his life.
"Wouldn't it be helpful to have a more thorough and tangible record of my life?" He thought. That way, he would benefit from remembering more of his history and how to make the most of his remaining time and live more purposefully.
So he began taking notes about his whereabouts and activities throughout the day. Thanks to the reflections he recorded about his professional experiences, such as teaching classes and lecturing at conferences, he found he could gain more from those experiences.
Significant evidence shows that keeping a diary may improve happiness and life satisfaction. For instance, researchers examined a group of participants and discovered that keeping a daily notebook for only 10 minutes increased their performance by more than 20%!
Here are four reasons to record your life, whether in an autobiography, journaling, or simply saving your memories.
Leave a Legacy
In today’s fast-paced world, there never seems to be enough time to sit down with family and share stories about your upbringing, childhood years, or the life lessons you’ve accumulated.
But by recording your life story, you'll help future generations better understand their origins. You can make it possible for them to know who you were, your life, and the moments that formed you. And you can impart your wisdom to make their lives easier.
A future great-grandchild might identify with your story or find inspiration that could change their life!
Exercise Your Mind
Losing one’s memory is a common concern of people as they age. Exercising one’s mind is just as crucial as exercising one’s body. “Use it or lose it,” as the saying goes.
Did you know that memoirs written by ordinary people, not celebrities, are the fast-growing genre of publishing today? Those authors are people, just like you. You have more to write about than you realize.
You might think, “I’m not a writer,” or “I don’t know what to write about.” However, you don’t need to be a “gifted” writer to record your life. Your children and grandchildren will only care about “what” you wrote, not “how.”
There are many ways to find inspiration! My Stories Matter has over a thousand prompts and cultural cues to trigger your memory and inspire writing.
You can also upload your photos and bring them to life by telling the stories behind them! Tap into the ways to record your life that suit you.
Raise Self-Awareness
Self-awareness focuses on how you feel, act, and think. It all comes down to being aware of your psychological triggers and recurring behaviors.
Increasing self-awareness may promote empathy for others, acceptance, and new perspectives on life. A popular method to increase self-awareness is journaling or self-reflective writing. Making a timeline and looking back on your past experiences can help you to obtain fresh insight or healing.
Preserve your Family History
Have you ever wondered where your talents, disposition, likes, and dislikes originate? You might uncover that information when you share your life stories with family members. When you recollect the details and images of your loved ones, you may learn a lot about yourself.
What would life be like without those detours? These distinctions make a great story. That embarrassing childhood moment is now precious. Preserve your family history and pass on the highs, lows, and in-between.
Record your Life on My Stories Matter
My Stories Matter has thousands of prompts and cultural cues to help you record your life. You can:
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Add voice recordings of a loved one for posterity
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Tell the stories behind your family photos
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Upload your old black-and-white photos and see them automatically colorized
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Create a lasting legacy
You can easily record the memories of your life and your loved ones. Your children, and their children, will thank you.