The Power of 'Event-Journaling'

Ok, I just made up the term “event-journaling”. I wanted to find something that could define “a type of journaling that reflects on the experiences of an individual with the purpose of recalling an exact moment”. That wording doesn’t perfectly satisfy me but I’m here writing this because “he fed me jalapeno chips” from my own journal entry is seriously doing something for me!

A lot of the times we (me), write about our inner thoughts, how we’re feeling, things we don’t tell the rest of the world, rants, etc. Middle school me wrote about things that happened - events. These are lazy Saturdays, a family cookout, acquiring a new pet, etc. Rereading those are when I’m able to travel in time. That is the very reason I fell in love with reading in general, when I read from the narrative of another I feel as if I travel in time. I’m at that moment, experiencing what that person has seen and been through. If it’s really good writing - I’m not just there with that person, I am that person.

Back to the jalapeno chips… I’m hesitant to share anything out of my personal diary but that particular entry does include a great recollection of details. I’d spent the entire day with my significant other at the time and I speak of how we danced, what flavors of craft beer we tried, what movie we watched. It’s a narrative from the morning till the night of that particular day. What’s most important here is that I can’t say I ever would’ve reflected on that particular experience with him. Why? I’m not sure, maybe that’s how my memory in particular works. Maybe it’s because that was just one of many special days with him.

Whatever the reason is, I feel incredibly grateful to be able to basically open a file drawer in my head - pick through it and recall a specific day on the spot.

It is incredible. You should try it.