How’s this for an idea? If you struggle with finding the time to journal (or write a lengthy word count blog) how about having a crack at a five-moment memoir.
Freelance writer Sarah Beauchamp wrote about her concept of journalling in Oprah Magazine.
Basically she forced herself to write down five things that happened each day, both the highlights and low-lights. Just a sentence on each, no need to beat yourself up about detailing everything or making it a great work of literature.
Short and simple, a daily note on the life you are living. This could prove to be a fascinating record over time.
Here’s my five-moment memoir from yesterday.
- accompanied the husband back to the dentist after his accident, there was talk of having to break his jaw to get the teeth back in place, but ultimately the decision was to leave as is for now hoping they start to move back into place. Still too soon to start dental work anyway, due to swelling and trauma.
- Won $500 gift card to local supermarket.
- Watched the wild storm lashing the east-coast.
- Wondered about the sense in building on top of big hill as wind gusts shook the house. Husband very proud of his building skills when we didn’t turn into a giant kite.
- Felt guilty eating a club sandwich at the cafe while husband could only manage a coffee (drunk with his head on an angle to ensure he got the liquid into his mouth).
How was your day? What would you put into a five-moment memoir?
nice….
in Catholic Blog circles we have Moments of Grace, 7 Friday Quick Takes and Sunday Snippets- leads to reflective pints that can be turned into blogs
Some lovely reflection tools, and handy for the blog too!
Here’s my five-minute memoir for yesterday:
– Gagged at sight of exploding people in diabolical movie: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (sorry for the visual, Janine)
– Ate delicious Balinese Sate, sizzling on sticks at my table, which is amazing to be able to do after seeing diabolical movie
– Watched the Horse Whisperer after many years and was surprised to see that Scarlett Johansson was in that movie, was irritated by Kristin Scott Thomas’ character, but don’t remember feeling that way the first time I saw the film.
– Ate takeaway pizza for dinner despite a) still being full from lunch and b) resolving to limit takeaways due to budgetary constraints
– Introduced 7yo son to the joys of creative writing; we made up interesting sentences while waiting for the pizza
We ate pizza this week too despite making the same resolution, for the same reason. Saw the trailer for Hansel & Gretel glad I didn’t go to the movie! Thanks for playing along, it’s fascinating to see what other people are doing.
great idea – for friday –
-had 2-hour delay for school due to ice
-taught equivalent fractions to 3rd graders
-worked all day with 28 lovely children
-husband came home from trip (yay!)
-went to friends’ house for dinner
happy weekend! your poor sweetie. good luck with the recovery.
I love your sparse writing style it’s such a contrast to my verbal diarrhea. I also admire the way you people fight your way through snow, ice and storm to go about your daily life during winter.
Brilliant idea! Here’s mine for yesterday…
– Made pot of coffee to get me going for the day
– Checked my email alerts for writing ideas
– Drafted a new article for my blog
– Treated myself to a couple of bacon sandwiches for lunch
– Went for a walk on the beach
Yum bacon sandwiches now I’m hungry. Thanks for playing!
I tried. I just did. It was pretty boring. Maybe a 5 minute memoir would be better suited for tomorrow…
I reckon it would be a challenge to keep doing for a year … ’cause some are just plain old boring.
Oh I love this! I am soooo stealing this, and might start one up for my boys and my husband as well. If nothing else, it makes you realise how little you do in your day, and maybe makes you try and do more meaningful things. Or not. Love it! Visiting from The Rewind.
I steal from Oprah, you steal from me, love the online world. Thanks for stopping by.
Too frightened to do mine as will see just how mundane and banal my life is. Today would read get child 1 ready for Band, take child 2 and 3 for coffee/hot choc, work at canteen, run, show, faff about on blogs, OMG it’s nearly three already (again!). Also visiting from the Rewind and loving it!
All our lives are mundane but I think it is an interesting exercise to test how much there is actually going (and it’s a great writing exercise). Thanks so much for stopping by.
What a great idea. I have been doing a briefer version where I write something nice about my day on a scrap of tissue paper, fold it up, twist the paper into a curl and pop it into an old mason jar (it’s a Pinterest thing).
Your own little moments memoir made me smile.
Ohh that’s a good idea too!
Good God, your poor husband! I’m sitting here scratching my head thinking ‘what the hell DID I do yesterday …’ – Ummm, well I know I made cakes because I’m eating one. Other than that, it’s a bit of a blank. Maybe I’ll try this tomorrow as I’m off to the beach today (surely I’ll remember that!).
Yes he had a bit of bad luck, still some work to do to repair the damage to the teeth. Yes sometimes it can take a bit to think of five moments worthy of recording.
That’s a great idea. I wish I could implement it in my own journaling, but mostly I even forget that the journal is there.
Wow. What an interesting concept. I think I might start doing this.
Ooh, I love this idea. This is what blogging used to be for me when I did it every day. Small moments can be so beautiful. Thanks for Rewinding.
Love this idea. what a great way of overcoming blogger’s block and lack of inspiration. Your poor hubby. I hope that by now he’s feeling much better and his teeth are all sorted. Have had fun sticky beaking around your blog. Love this about Fibro Rewind:) x
I am in love with the five things that happen each day. Great stuff, thanks. xxx
Pleasure.