Recording our daily lives in a journal or diary has been a long-standing hobby of many throughout the generations. Genealogists and family historians alike understand the value in the thoughts and words of a loved one. However, it is one activity that often gets forgotten in our hectic schedules. Use some of these tips to easily incorporate this activity into your day.
Purchase a special pen and journal that you enjoy holding. You’ll be more likely to use them if it you like them. Local shops such as those found in the Short North, North Market, or historic Dublin will have unique journals that will encourage your use.
Keep them in a common location. Do you eat breakfast every morning in a certain place? Do you read in bed at night before falling asleep? Making sure that your journal is conveniently located is the key to including it regularly.
Take a moment at the beginning of your journey while you are motivated to jot down prompts for use when you are without ideas. Consider the pieces of information that you would love to know about your grandparents or great-grandparents. Try to include five prompts from all areas of your life including work, hobbies, friendships, and matters of faith.
Consider including the bad experiences as well as the good in your journal. We are influenced by all of our experiences, and our descendants and relatives would like to know about them all. They give a more complete picture of who you are and how you interacted with the world around you.
Make it a habit. Even a quick sentence about your day will be read with interest by those who love you. And, if you commit to just one sentence per day journaling will become a part of your routine quickly.
Consider using prompts such as the Sharing Memories series presented each week by Olive Tree Genealogy.
What are you waiting for? Begin keeping a journal today! Your ancestors will thank you for it.
Monday Memories is a weekly series that helps the family historian record family memories in fun and creative ways. Check back each Monday for more ideas and inspiration.
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