Write Your Personal History in 5 Minutes a Day
Writing a personal history might seem like an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be. Not if you just write one memory or experience at a time. No beginning, no middle, no end — just read a prompt and write about it. It’s like Shel Silverstein’s story about Melinda Mae who ate a monstrous whale: she thought she could, she said she would … and in 89 years she ate the whale because she said she would! That’s the way to write your personal history. Write a little here and a little there and you’ll finish it up about the time you’re 89 and that’s just the way it should be. If you’re remembering just how much you love Shel Silverstein’s poetry books get one here: Where the Sidewalk Ends.
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Write one memory at a time
The secret is to starting and finishing is to just write one story or memory at a time. Don’t worry about putting it in order, just write. Over the last 10 years, I’ve taught classes on writing a personal history and the journal jar has been a hit. The concept is simple: pick a slip of paper from the jar and write about it. Just write! Maybe you don’t want to spend the time making the journal jar so just add your thoughts and memories to the word document you’ll find at the end of this post.
Tell your story in your own style
Grammar doesn’t have to perfect. Just write. Maybe you don’t write whole sentences just jot down thoughts. Who was there? Where were you? What smells and sounds do you remember? How did you feel? What happened? Old photos can help recall memories too. Writing about time spent with grandparents is priceless.
“When I was a toddler we lived in my grandparent’s basement for a time. You can imagine that as the first and only grandchild I spent a lot of time upstairs with my grandparents — my grandfather in particular. Like all toddlers, I got into stuff that was breakable or not for little hands. I doubt my grandparents scolded me but my mother would say “That’s not yours give it to him” pointing to my grandfather. My little 2-year-old brain thought my grandfather’s name was Him. Him became Himi and the name stuck. All nine grandchildren called this loving grandfather Himi.”
Write what happened in your own words (or record if you want). Some prompts will produce a sentence or two of memories, other prompts will produce pages of details. It doesn’t have to be long but it needs to tell your story. Don’t take time to mull over it or edit. Just write! But, if edit you must, try grammerly.com.
Pick another memory and write again
You may find you get a little addicted to writing your memories and there may be days when life is too hectic but don’t stop. One day your family will read your personal history or listen to your voice and be grateful you took the time to record your life stories. Don’t worry that your writing is interesting enough. Most of us would love to know more about the childhood and life experience of our parents or grandparents. What a great gift this will be for your children and grandchildren!
Save your personal history up on a cloud or print it out
Don’t risk losing hours of work and thought time. Back up your work on a cloud, external hard drive or print it out. Unfortunately, sometimes our work is lost and it’s difficult to recapture it a second time … that happened to me, unfortunately! Print and store your personal history in a 3-ring binder or have it bound at a copy shop. Consider storing your personal history in a 3-ring Leather Binder
Thought-provoking questions
As we experience life we often tell ourselves “I’ll never forget this” but with time memories fade, names are forgotten, and details are lost. These prompts will stir your memory bringing experiences, thoughts, and feelings to mind. Old photos can do the same thing. A picture is worth a 1000 words and can also prompt a 1000 words to capture.
For the journal jars, print each document on a different color of paper. This way you can choose the time span you wish to write about. Print them out, cut them up, fold up and put them in jars. It makes a great gift, too. Each time you visit an older family member ask them a question or two and document their life story. If you don’t own a good paper cutter try this one: Fiskar Paper Cutter
DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that Buffy and Patti may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using our links. We love the companies we shop and will only suggest products we love and know you will love too!
Here are the three documents. They are editable so you can just type away from the document. These questions have been compiled over a 10-year period and we don’t mind if you share but please acknowledge our blog: www.whatsoeverish.com. Thank you!
Thought-provoking questions Birth to 11 Years
Thought-provoking questions Age 12 to 18
Thought-provoking questions Adult Years
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10 Comments
Melissa
I think this is a wonderful idea! And, it’s a great way to get started writing. Also, the idea about using different colors of paper for different time spans is perfect! And, asking an older family member a question or two to document their life story is a beautiful way to collect family history! Sincerely, Melissa
admin
Melissa, I wish I had spent more time recording the stories my grandparents and great grandparents told me. I have brief memories of their stories but not in their words.
Mama Writes Reviews
What a great idea! Five minutes a day? Even I can do that!
admin
Mama, once you get going you won’t be able to stop at 5 minutes as the memories will flood your mind and you’ll need to write to get them all out.
july
This sounds so interesting! Even for adults. Love this way to connect with ourselves and the kids, as well as stimulating creativity.
admin
July, I wrote this blog with adults in mind but then I got to thinking about how nice it would be to have my childhood perspective on things, too.
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
I have my 8th graders write memory books at the end of the year and could use several of these ideas with them. I love the idea of having them bring in a photo and writing their memories about that person or event. They could even scan the photo and put it in the memory book along with the story.
admin
Tracy, photos bring back a flood of memories and the more we think about the past the more we remember!
Ana
This is such a creative idea!! LOVE it!! We do something similar when we travel- the kids have to write 3 things that they liked or disliked or had an impact on them EVERY single day. After our vacation we put them together and it makes a wonderful keepsake!
admin
Ana, that’s a great idea! Something they have to remember their experiences during childhood. I’m trying to write my history via the prompts but I’d love to have my “kid” perspective on life instead of my old woman perspective.