Hi! It’s Deborah.
I’m part of a journal writing group on Facebook. One of the members mentioned that he has used old family photos as journal prompts. You start writing whatever the photo brings to mind and get a glimpse into your own mind, or record an old memory. What a great idea! Especially if you add a copy of the photo on the journal page.
Do you need journal prompts for writing about your childhood? Here are few to get you started:
- What is your earliest memory? [The other year, I read What Your Childhood Memories Say about You . . . and What You Can Do about It
” by Dr. Kevin Leman. In it, the author posits that since the brain always remembers what happens to you, the memory that you subconsciously select as your earliest one reveals your true perspective on life.]
- What is one thing that you enjoyed doing as a child?
- Did you have pets as a child? Which was your favorite? Why?
- Choose a piece of childhood memorabilia. What stories does it bring to mind? How did it come into your possession?
- Where did you attend school? Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
- What did imagine you would do as an adult? Did you do it? Why? Why not?
- What foods did you enjoy as a child? Which ones did you dislike? Do you still enjoy/dislike them? Why?
- Write about your parents. What are their names? What are their occupations? How would you describe your childhood relationship to them? How does that compare with your adult relationship with them?
- Were your parents great with handling money? Why? Why not? Did you learn anything from the way they handled finances in your childhood?
- List 2 people other than your parents who stand prominent in your childhood memory. Who were they? What relation were they to you? Did you enjoy that relationship? Why? Why not?
- What were the family traditions? Have you changed any of them in your adult life? Would you like to change the traditions? Why?
- If you’re the letter writing type, write a letter to someone from your childhood in your journal. (You do not need to send it. This is simply a device to help you explore your past.)
- How is your spouse’s childhood similar to yours? Or does it differ? How have you dealt with this?
- What childhood would you like to provide for your children (or future children)?
” by Dr. Kevin Leman. In it, the author posits that since the brain always remembers what happens to you, the memory that you subconsciously select as your earliest one reveals your true perspective on life.]That might hold you for a fortnight (or longer if you’d rather not write in your journal every day).
Peace be with you,
Deborah