Start a Halloween Story

Oct 31

In today’s episode I explore and explain a little of how our brains encode and retrieve memories and I do it in the context of Halloween. I will walk you through a process that I have used for many years to help other people recall memories and in many cases sensory details that they thought they had forgotten.

I encourage you to read more about the science of memory. This website is a great resource.

I think I meant to say (and didn’t) that our brains often create relationships between constructs or memories where there really isn’t a relationship—ie, the song, Ghostbusters and Halloween. My brain connects these—and I’m not the only one—there are plenty Halloween playlists that include Ghostbusters, most likely because of the association with ghosts to both, but it really is fascinating how our brains categorize and store sensory memories and how readily these details can be retrieved—especially as we practice.

Halloween means so many things to me—and to YOU as well. After you recall some specific details, I encourage you to group them together where it makes sense and record them. Then go find a photo that will illustrate what you’ve written.

This is what my workbook looks like, after I have walked myself through the process of listing and organizing memories that surface. I KEEP these workbooks because there are other stories here that I can come back to.

The last page of every Story Starter is an opportunity for YOU, the storyteller to be present. We don’t do this enough. When you tell a story, make sure to include YOU in it.

IF you want to see more of my Halloween Story Starter album, click HERE. What I love most about these albums is how non-intimidating they are. They are small and easy to share and yet they pack some serious memory punch. If you haven’t yet worked with a Story Starter kit, you can purchase one here.