Cringey photos along memory lane
I got lost going down memory lane.
I had every intention of sharing with you the grand story of taking my youngest prom dress shopping, and I knew including a photo of me in my junior prom dress would be perfect. (You’ll believe me when you see how lovely this dress was!)
But do you think I could find a picture anywhere?
I scoured the bins in our basement - the ones where I keep my old journals and yearbooks and other treasures.
I sorted through drawers and in boxes and came up empty handed.
I skimmed through Facebook to see if someone had happened to upload some old photos, and then finally pulled out the external hard drive with all the photos on it.
I did not find a picture of my prom dress.
But I did find all kinds of other treasures -
Photos of my children when they were small.
Videos of them where they talked and laughed and sang in their darling little voices.
Memories I had forgotten.
Snapshots of friends, trips, parties, and holidays, bringing me back in time and filling me with nostalgia.
And I thought maybe you don’t want to read about the slimy sales tactics at the prom dress boutique (seriously, they put my last car shopping experience to shame…maybe even my last time share sales pitch too)…
Maybe instead, we should start our week with a reminder that no matter how hard life may feel in the moment, there’s so much beauty in our lives to remember.
The tiny moments of joy that we forget in our hustle and bustle, the gorgeous memories set aside, the gift of connection with loved ones.
We can bring them all back by flipping through photo albums, reading our old journals, watching those home movies (don’t have a VCR anymore? See if your local library has a digital converter!)
What a gift it is to preserve these memories. To share our stories with others. To record them so we can revisit them when we need to.
When was the last time you journaled? Have you captured the stories that you always want to remember? Have you written about the big things that have happened to you? And the small things?
Have you digitized your old photos? Stored them in a place where they’re easily retrievable and backed up so you don’t lose them?
What small thing can you do today to preserve your memories?
Journal Prompts
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!
What stories have you not written down?
Who were the significant people in your life through your childhood? Your school days? College? Each decade since? Record the memories you have of them and the things you did together.
Go through your old photos, digitize them if needed, and identify the people and the story - document it to preserve the details.
What are the stories you want to make sure you pass down? Record them - either in writing or as a voice recording or video.
Journaling Fun and Support
Did you know I livestream each week? Join me on Tuesdays at 8pm Eastern as I welcome a series of guests who do interesting, fun things that tie into journaling! This week, I welcome my friend Jenn Espinosa Goswami to talk about Confidence on Stage! Tune in on LinkedIn, YouTube, or Facebook (if you’re my mom!). Did you miss last week’s session on Face Reading and Energy Clearing with my friend Courtney (in the senior prom picture above)? Catch it HERE.
Been thinking about joining my Journaling Membership Program? Now’s the perfect time to join in! In February we’re focusing on relationships and connection. Using a blend of self-reflection and group journaling sessions, we’ll come to know ourselves and improve our relationships - with ourselves and others - a little more every day! Get the details HERE.
Have questions about journaling? Need some support, encouragement, or accountability? Email me!
Happy Journaling!
Love the pictures and the prompts to write down stories more. It's incredible what we come across when looking for something, Amanda. You look gorgeous in the pics btw.