You ever find yourself staring into space, trying to remember why you walked into the kitchen, only to give up and grab a snack instead? (It was probably a good choice.) Our memories are tricky like that—they hide things from us, slip away when we need them, and pop up at the most random times. But what if I told you that some of the best stories of your life are still buried in your mind, just waiting to be discovered?
That’s right—you’ve got secret chapters in your life story, and it’s time to dust them off.
Why Do We Forget Our Own Stories?
Life moves fast. Between raising kids, paying bills, surviving bad haircuts, and trying to figure out where the heck all these extra socks in the laundry came from, we don’t always stop to take note of the details.
Some memories fade because they weren’t dramatic enough to stick—like the time you accidentally called your teacher “Mom” in fourth grade (traumatizing then, hilarious now). Others get buried under the “big” moments – weddings, moves, job changes, that time you realized you like Brussels sprouts.
But here’s the thing—those little, hidden moments? They’re gold when it comes to storytelling.
How to Dig Up Your Forgotten Stories
Ready to go on a treasure hunt through your own past? Grab a notebook (or your phone, if you’re fancy like that) and try these tricks:
1. Follow the Senses
Your senses are like a time machine. A certain smell, song, or taste can bring back memories you didn’t even know were still in there. Ever catch a whiff of a certain perfume and suddenly remember your grandmother’s hugs? Or hear a song on the radio and get thrown back to a road trip with the windows down and no worries in sight?
Try this:
• Light a candle with a scent from your childhood.
• Listen to the music you loved in high school (even the embarrassing stuff).
• Eat something you haven’t had in years (Hello, SpaghettiOs).
Then, write down what comes to mind.
2. Stalk Your Own Past (a.k.a. Look at Old Photos & Journals)
Flip through old photo albums or dig up that diary you swore you’d never read again. Even if you find cringe-worthy teenage poetry or fashion choices that should have been illegal, you’ll also uncover forgotten details: the way you felt, the people who were there, and maybe even the stories behind those weird birthday themes your mom insisted on.
Bonus: If you kept an online journal or social media posts from years ago, go back and skim. Just…maybe don’t text your ex if you find an old post about them.
3. Call in Reinforcements
Sometimes, the best way to unlock old stories is to ask someone who was there. Friends, siblings, old coworkers, they remember things you don’t (and sometimes wish they’d forget).
Try asking:
• “Do you remember that time we got lost on our way to the concert?”
• “What’s the weirdest thing we ever did in college?”
• “What was I like as a kid?”
Warning: You might hear things you don’t remember at all, but hey—good stories are good stories.
4. Go Back to Old Haunts
If you’re able, visit places from your past. Your childhood home, your old school, even that diner you used to hang out in—walking through those spaces can trigger memories that have been collecting dust in the back of your mind.
If you can’t visit in person, use Google Maps – street view or find pictures online. It’s like time travel, but without the risk of messing up history.
5. Embrace the “Random Question” Method
Sometimes, all it takes is the right question to jog a memory. Here are a few to try:
• What was my first job like?
• What’s the most trouble I ever got into as a kid?
• What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened at a family gathering?
• What was my favorite outfit when I was younger? (Bonus if you can describe it in painful detail.)
Now, Tell Those Stories!
Once you’ve uncovered some lost stories, write them down. Even if they seem small or silly, they’re part of what makes your life uniquely yours.
Need an extra push? Try Guided Autobiography (yes, that’s what I do!)—a method designed to help you dig up and shape your life’s stories in a meaningful way. Because trust me, your life is full of hidden chapters worth telling—and I’d love to help you find them.
So, what’s a memory you just uncovered while reading this? Tell me in the comments—I bet it’s a good one.
“The raven carries secrets on its wings, whispering only to those who listen.”
