Monday, May 27, 2013

The Five Moment Memoir



Recently I tried an exercise NYC writer Sarah Beauchamp recommended: the five-moment memoir. Because I write for a living, I'm not inclined to journal much. But this helps me keep track of what I've been doing and it only takes a few minutes. It also lets me decompress at the end of the day. Maybe you'll enjoy it too.

Simply note five moments that occurred during the day––things you did, ideas you thought about, people you encountered, emotions, or insights. Keep it brief, but jot down enough to jog your memory later on if you choose to come back and expand upon what you've written. Some examples:

1) Called Mom––she always seems appreciative when I do.
2) Cleaned the bathroom. It looks so nice, I should do it more often.
3) Started reading a new Barbara Kingsolver book. Love her writing.
4) Bought a dozen roses on sale at the local supermarket. Flowers make me smile.
5) Got a card from a friend that says "May there always be an angel by your side."

See how easy it is?