Why You Should Write Your Memoir in 2021

Why Write Your Memoir in 2021?

1/8/2021

During 2020, you likely went through some kind of hardship. Maybe you lost a loved one, a home, or a job. Maybe you had to transition to interacting with people virtually or to working from home. Maybe you were OK but had to support someone who was struggling. Between the pandemic, protests, political upheaval, and economic uncertainty, 2020 turned out to be a disappointment even to the least affected.

So, what did you learn from that experience? I bet that you learned what is important in your life. I bet you learned what you truly value. And I bet you learned to pivot on a pin to be able to persevere through difficulty. After experiencing challenging events, writing about them can help initiate the healing process.

Here are five reasons why you should write your memoir in 2021.

Writing Helps Organize Thoughts

Writing helps us make sense of our thoughts and feelings and can be a conduit for better understanding your experiences. Reflective writing helps the writer first and foremost by allowing a pathway to organize our thoughts.

Writing Improves Memory

Did you know that writing down your memories improves your memory? I have experienced this myself. When you take the time to write about your experiences, not only can you support yourself by making sense of them but the process can improve your memory and allow you to recall more depth and detail of your memories.

Make Your Writing a Gift

In most cases, we write for ourselves and for those in our immediate circles. Your writing, especially your memoir writing, is more likely to end up in the hands of friends and family than anywhere else, so make it into a gift of love for them. Write down your life stories with the intention of sharing yourself with those you care for most.

Writing is an Exploration of the Unknown

The process of writing not only helps the writer make sense of their thoughts but reveals layers of the unknown. We don’t know what stories are waiting to be excavated until we begin digging. As we write, we reveal ideas, stories, information that can be collected and preserved.

Write Your Book

Many people will say they feel like they have a book inside of them, and most are right. Even if that book doesn’t end up being a New York Times bestseller, many people have a book idea sitting in the back of their minds. The only way to access that book is to start writing.

The process of writing is a process of revelation, discovery, and healing. As we engage in reflective, memoir writing, we take part in an opportunity to improve as writers and as people.