Busy world, busy day, busy life. Between home and work and family and social media, smartphone apps, and technology in general, sometimes the mind just can’t hold it all in. With such information overload, some memories just don’t…stick. Even the mind/brain gets tired. How we process thought is both quite complex and certainly, at the very least, fascinating. According to classic philosophy, our thoughts prove we exist.

Snip-Snap

Putting snippets from your day down on paper (a journal or diary) can lead to better memory regarding other details from the day. If done regularly, the thinking process improves gradually with this exercise. Oddly, you’ll find yourself able to remember various details you didn’t recall originally, memories stored deep in your mind.

The key is writing down your snippets in freeform. Too often, we’re analyzing as we’re writing. Just let the pen flow, and don’t think too much. Along with jotting down events from the day, get into the habit of including how you were feeling—without analyzing it all. Not right now. This freeform style will allow uncovering how you really feel about a certain topic, later. As a fiction writer, I equate this with getting that first draft down: it’s about getting the story out—the analyzing (and editing) come later.

You’re writing ‘snippets,’ but try to include as much sensory detail from daily events as possible. Identify the five senses present from event to event. Later, when reading the material again, you’ll be able to conjure that same associated imagery and sensation with clarity—possibly pushing any dormant memories to the forefront.

Dear, Diary (not exactly)

Again, to benefit your thinking process, journalize regularly. Daily is ideal, of course, but there may be a day or two ‘not worth remembering.’ But, your great days, surely qualify for commitment to paper and detailed memory, and bad days… Well, there may be lessons in those days, worth noting.

Journalizing toward day’s end is a way to relax and unwind before retiring for the night. But some choose to write first thing in the morning, providing themselves a bit of inspiration for that day (although, this “yesterday” way adds a bit of challenge to the whole “recall” aspect of things).

Maybe you don’t want to jot down events from your day. In this case, consider writing down what you remember from your dreams the night before. Interpreting them can be fun and insightful (you’ll need one of those dreams-symbols-meanings books for reference).

Writing goals down is a big step toward achieving them because you have a visual representation (and reminder) of what you’re shooting for. The idea is, seeing your anytime-of-year resolution(s) regularly will inspire—and help you stay focused on it.

Key Aspects of Journalizing

Realize, though, journal writing is a commitment of sorts. Write for a set period each day. It can be as little as 15 minutes but make it a ritual. Remember: don’t analyze anything yet; just let your pen flow (or keyboard for you digital diehards). It’s perfectly fine to skip around, highlighting from one event to another. Throw concern about sentence structure and grammar out the window. Your journal time is all about allowing your brain to freely work through some things.

All things being equal, journalizing can be therapeutic. It allows opportunity to clear your mind, put stuff in perspective. Some find, it even helps reduce stress.

Journalize regularly but give yourself time before looking back at “older” entries. Let the entries “marinate” before the analyzing begins. The more time passes between when you first write down your thoughts and when you next read them again, the more special and valued those thoughts and memories become—whether you find yourself looking back with a chuckle…or shedding a tear.

Until next time, stay serif.