Life is made up of moments. Some are planned out. ¹ Others are more spontaneous. ² All of these events, if recorded well, make for memorable and satisfying Notebooking.

What should you include when recording an event? Here’s a few ideas…

The Facts

“Tuesday evening, July 23rd. 6:43pm. Joe’s Grill. Caren’s Birthday.”

You don’t need a lot of elaboration on “the facts”. These are here to remind you where you were, when it happened, and why you were there. Like Jot Points, these will serve as a reminder without filling the page with soul-crushing minutiae.

The Setting

This is where the meaningful details come out. The ones that will not only help you remember, but allow you to reminisce. Was it rainy or sunny? Hot or cold? Crowded or barren? Were you tired upon arriving? Shaking with anticipation? Running late after hitting 8 red lights in a row? These details will set the mood better than “Tuesday Evening” could ever do. And when you’re recording an event, mood matters.

The Players

Life’s most memorable events are often shared events. Sure, you’ll remember that your best friend was there. But the couple you met who told that great story – wouldn’t you like to remember that they were there too?

The Main Action

You’re recording this for a reason. What is that reason?

If it’s the concert of a lifetime, write down your favorite songs you heard. If it’s a wedding, take note that the couple wrote their own vows. If you were on a roadtrip, where were you going? If you were stranded on the side of the road, what went wrong? This information is vital, and will later form the core of any story you tell. Don’t neglect the center of the action.

Interesting Tidbits

These are the details that will make it a memory worth keeping. The surprise encounters, the hilarious joke, the deep conversation that took place over the 3rd bottle of wine, the view of the moon on your way home – these will give texture to your recollection and make it worthwhile to re-read. The more of these details you include, the more grateful you will be for your notebook.

Your Own Reactions

It is your notebook, after all. Make room for your own thoughts and experiences. Summarize the event from your own vantage point.

If you include all of these details of any event you record, you’ll fill your notebook with wanted thoughts, and be grateful that you took the time to capture your events well.

1. Weddings, birthdays, and moving-away parties fit this bill.
2. Like getting drinks at the end of the week, going to a concert, or that time you got a flat tire on the way to the beach.