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Ready to Write a Memoir? Here is Your Guide on How to Tell Your Story and Inspire Your Loved Ones: Part 1
When it comes to reminiscing about your life, setbacks, adventures, and milestones, writing a memoir may be a great idea and allow you to share your unique story with your loved ones. In fact, this is your chance to explain some of your choices and share some of your deepest secrets with your family and future generations. Your loved ones may feel inspired after reading your story and benefit from your life experiences, making it a worthwhile undertaking.
Experts suggest that writing allows older Americans to tap into their brain power using word associations and sentence structure as an intellectual activity. In addition, a Yale study has found that memoir writing for seniors encourages community building and embracing the later stage of their life which may add up to 7 years to their lifespan.
Some older adults seem to be reluctant to write their life story for one simple reason. When they think about memoirs, they usually imagine some of the most famous, powerful, and influential individuals who have the most captivating narratives to tell. Anything less than that just doesn’t seem to be important enough. Besides, working on a memoir can be very time-consuming and challenging; it’s a lot of work and writing about something “ordinary” and “unremarkable” may not be worth the time and effort. Why even bother? But here is the surprising truth: anyone can write a memoir, and most people probably underestimate the significance and potential impact of their story.
Contrary to popular belief, facts can be so much more fascinating than fiction and everyone (yes, everyone!) has a story to tell. Why don’t you look back on your life? Have you experienced rejection in the past? How many obstacles did you have to overcome or what did you have to do to attain some of your biggest goals? Even if you were unable to achieve everything you’d set out to achieve, it’s the journey that matters the most. The experience. The learning. The people you met along the way…Not necessarily the outcome.
So, if you are still thinking about writing your own memoir, it’s time to dust off those memories and embark on a new, creative, and intellectually stimulating journey. Here’s how:
As you may already know, one of the best ways of organizing your thoughts is to write an outline. A good outline serves as the skeleton of your memoir, providing the structure you need to cover all the necessary details and say everything you need to say. It’s your jumping-off point that will grow, evolve, and stretch as you move forward with your project.
Choose a starting point that may stir up some emotions or provoke hearty laughter. Can you think of a childhood adventure you would like to mention, your wild college years, or perhaps the moment you realized you were the coolest parent on the block? Don’t think too long and too hard – this may impede your progress. Just initiate the process and get your creative juices flowing. No need to obsess over the outcome right from the get-go.
Let’s face it, life is too short and people spend more time worrying and stressing out than laughing. Let your memoir reflect the chuckles and giggles you have earned over the years. Don’t hesitate to share some awkward moments with your readers and make them laugh. Do you remember the time you tried to learn how to tap dance, the way you used to dress for Halloween, or the karaoke night where you tried to sound like Stevie Wonder? Imagine how funny and enjoyable it would be to read about your undertakings or foray into pop music. Don’t keep it a secret – get it off your chest and make people laugh to their heart’s content.
Have you ever met someone unusual, quirky, and eccentric in the past? Most of us have. How did this person shape your life or impact your outlook on things? Was it Aunt Gloria with her fancy hat collection, Cousin Henry with his obsession with video games, or some long-forgotten childhood friend who had a knack for getting you into trouble. Bring these characters to life and let them dance through your pages. You will be glad you did.
Final thoughts: Although writing may not necessarily provide the same benefits to everyone, it could be a useful addition to a traditional healthcare regimen and help support mental wellbeing.