Over the years I have kept journals from time to time. My current journal is from 2012 to the present, and honestly is largely repetitive, boring and 1400 pages long. But importantly, it is a constant reminder to try to do something worth recording each day.
What I have found easier and more interesting is writing a personal history by topics. I can write something on one topic one day and something on a different topic on another day. It does not need to be sequential. I can choose whatever topics I want to write about, and write as much or as little as I feel like at the time.
A Personal History by Topics
An article I read suggested "Instead of starting out chronologically stating your life events (year by year that is), try compiling stories by topic." It then goes on to make numerous suggestions of topics to write on. http://www.familyhistoryquickstart.com/writing-your-personal-history/
Suddenly a light went on! My attempts to keep a journal or personal history have always floundered. It tends to degenerate into a boring sameness. Much of my life is very routine and I am (by and large) very comfortable with that. People whose lives are full of danger and excitement tend to come to a short if dramatic end. Even at my age, I have things I still want to accomplish before departing this life. Incurring danger deliberately just so that I can tell everyone that I live dangerously seems rather pointless to me. I get more satisfaction from being in a situation where I can help people in various ways.
Reading a personal history by topics seems more interesting because after a page or two, the reader is introduced to a different aspect of life's experience. If one topic is uninteresting, they can skip ahead to the next one.
TOPICS
Places you’ve lived
Influential individuals from your childhood
Favorite vacations
Jobs you’ve had
Thoughts on politics
Political views
Religious views
Favorite movies
Civic and community service rendered
Things you like to collect
Write about your spouse
Children
Your hopes and dreams and how they have changed over the years
The automobiles you’ve had or transportation you’ve used.
Places that you’ve visited and when visited.
Your favorite hobbies
What do you like to shop for
Your impressions of the times, wars, developments, etc.
Collections of writings or poems that you’ve created
Listing of certificates and accomplishments
Favorite restaurants
Favorite music
Operations you’ve had (not the most fun, but interesting)
The top 3 most difficult things you’ve ever done or had to go through
Memberships in clubs or churches
Write about your siblings and other relatives, (their children may not be as lucky as yours. They may not have written memories of their parents’ youth)
Gardens you’ve grown
Favorite foods
Games you like to play and why they’re fun
Favorite recipes (some families like to hand down recipes). Wouldn’t it be fun if your descendants knew which ones were your favorite and you left the recipes for them?
Your favorite time of year
How Clothing Has Changed
Sports that you’ve played throughout your life
Pets you’ve had
Weather phenomena you’ve seen or experienced.
Technological advances you’ve seen in your day
Spiritual experiences you’ve had
Favorite toys you’ve had
Thoughts on raising children
Education achieved
Activities you’ve participated in
Favorite books
Etc.
I think that my posterity would learn a lot more about me from reading 100 pages of topical personal history than from 1000 pages of my journal.Your mileage may vary, of course.
You can upload the current version of your journal or your personal history to your record in FamilySearch Memories. And while you are alive, no one else will have access to it. (Just avoid adding titles or tags to deceased people that can be searched on.)
Bill Buchanan
blog: http://billbuchanan.blogspot.com
site: http://billbuchanan.byethost17.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment