Anyone who looked at it would know right away what to do with it. It lifts up and you store things inside it. It’s part of a sectional couch that has round cup holders in front of it. That’s the logical way of looking at it.

That is, unless you’re a toddler who loves to read and reread his books and decided to “play with the possibilities” that came to mind at this moment.

It was 2017 something and grandson Lincoln had opened the storage box lots of times before, but something about it THIS TIME jumpstarted his playfulness and in he went. He didn’t just aimlessly sit there or try to close the lid and play peek-a-boo. He didn’t bring in some stuffed animals and have impromptu zoo time. No, this time the rectangular space became a reading nook and for a few minutes he was oblivious to everything else around him.

Until he realized that the dimensions of the box and his growing leg length were not a comfortable fit. Out he popped and on to the next possibility for fun, where an odd-shaped LEGO piece became a fireman’s hose to put out the “hot hot”.

When’s the last time you felt ok about jumping from one idea to another in your jotting? It’s not only alright. It’s actually beneficial to put this month’s JOTTINGS TIP into place as you reminisce:

PLAY WITH THE POSSIBILITIES

Start jotting down a memory and see where it goes. If it’s not a comfortable fit in this moment, leave it there and start something else. Maybe you’ll return and upon reading what you’ve written feel jazzed to continue. Or maybe not, at least not right then. Something else may be calling for your reminiscing consideration.

As time passes, maybe you’ll decide to tweak what you had begun and discover that the REAL story you wanted to capture was hiding just underneath a façade of logical ways of telling it. Remove those and I bet that you’ll feel a freedom that will energize your writing!

I’ve found that playing with the possibilities throughout the jotting process lifts the lid off any preconceived notions of how it has to be done. You absolutely don’t have to write a long, chronological account of anything.

I believe that capturing the moments that matter to you can best be done by capturing short snippets of whatever comes to your mind whenever it comes to your mind.

~ So, what’s in your PLAYbook of memories? (I’m keeping the starts and tweaks of my jottings in 3-ring binders so I can play with them easily.)

Take a little time to lightly flow through yours and feel if your heart leads you to delve into any today. If a new memory pops in, jot that moment down and keep enjoying your playtime!

Let’s give it a try and let me know how that feels…

JOYfully jotting,

Katie

Family PhotoStory Organizer

Mini-Stories Writing Coach

Your Legacy of Memories Mentor

Capturing Mini-Moments that Matter…

Energizing & Connecting Families for Generations!