First and foremost…
I have a feeling 2014 is going to be a good year 
So I had every intention of writing up a mini resolution/year in review post for you guys yesterday, but I had a pretty crappy day on Monday, which meant that my inspiration level was basically at zero, which meant that I couldn’t write a post to save my life — hence the impromptu blogging break. I’ll get around to doing it some other time though, because there’s something else I wanted to talk about today.
On January 1st, 2013, I started a memory jar chest project…
And one year later, I have a jar chest full of 365 good memories…
I can actually hardly believe that I managed to see this project through… I usually get really pumped to start something, but then go on to lose interest in it after a little while. Granted, there was more than one occasion where I slacked off for a few days and had to play catch up, but I still got all 365 days in there and I’m so happy that I stuck to it — being able to go back and read through all of the good things that happened in the past year has definitely been an eye-opener in terms of how beautiful life is; and spending time at the end of each day reflecting back on the positives of that day really helped me become happier in general… That’s why I’ll be doing it again in 2014, and I’d really love it if you joined me!
What it is…
Starting on the first day of the new year, take a moment at the end of each day to write down something good that happened that day on a little piece of paper. Fold the paper in half and put it in your jar. At the end of the year (or whenever you could use some cheering up), open the jar and read about all of the great things that happened to you that year.
What you’ll need…
An empty jar, chest, box, vase, etc… anything you can store your papers in.
Small pieces of paper. I would often use little scraps of paper (movie tickets, business cards, receipts, lists) that I picked up throughout the day to write my notes, but it’s always good to have a small notepad as a backup.
A reminder. It takes a while to turn the practice of reflecting back on your day into a habit, and a simple reminder really helps out. I put a sticky note on my mirror so that I’d always see it when I was washing my face at night.
. – . – . – .
That’s all! It’s super simple and hardly takes any time at all, but it really does go on to make a huge difference and I can’t recommend doing it highly enough. I know the blog let’s me look back at some of the things that have happened, but I don’t always share everything on Spoons, and it’s nice to have something a little more tangible to look back at.
I hope you guys had an amazing New Year’s Eve; I wish you only the best in the upcoming year; and I’ll see you tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud!
What did you do for New Year’s Eve?
What’s one goal/resolution you have for 2014?
And most importantly… will you be joining me in making a memory jar?
I need to do something like this for my husband. He’s such a gloomy Gus, I think it would do him well to focus on positive memories. Thanks for sharing it!
This is a really cool idea. I will see if I can get thsi going. I’m not sure though.
I spent NYE in a little village called Boston Spa, England, with my wonderful boyfriend and parents. We drank some beers and had a shot at midnight. Part of my 2014 goals is to learn to drink scotch. So, I worked on it during my holiday break and had it as a shot (although, didn’t drink it all). My other goals are to learn to play chess and weld something. I’m also planning on running my first marathon in May.
I did that too!! I saw the idea on Facebook in December 2012 and decided to give it a shot. On New Year’s Day I read them all. I cried, I laughed, I smiled. It was a beautiful way to start the year. I am doing it again this year and I am also doing one called ‘Wine Cork Memories’. Basically, when you open a bottle of wine, you record what you were doing on the cork and then save them.
Stopping by from the SITS Sharefest.
Have a great weekend,
Tami
http://www.tamijardine.com/
I just found a Moleskine at Barnes and Noble that is a teeny tiny daily planner with a blank page for each day of the year– I think it will be perfect for this project, so I just started today!!
Count me in…fabulous idea! Actually have a similar chest that an ex-boyfriend gave me (part of a treasure hunt…it was awesome!) that has been empty for years because I never knew what to do with it and couldn’t bear to get rid of it (: Glad I didn’t!
Great idea (:
Love this! I saw a Pinterest pin like this, and I added it to my resolutions for 2014. Just today I was thinking that I need to get that jar! lol Very recently, I started to write 5 things I was thankful for at the end of each day. Not very original, but I had just gone through my 2nd miscarriage, and I needed to have reminders that life was still good and beautiful . I will definitely be doing the jar also this year. Hope it’s a great year for you!
(Coming by from SITS. PS – your blog looks gorgeous. Looking forward to following this year!)
Writing down 5 things you’re thankful for is an awesome thing to do! I started putting more of a conscious effort into practicing gratitude a couple of months ago and it’s really made a big difference in my overall happiness.
Happy New Year, Katie!
This is the best idea I have seen in a long time. I wish I would have seen it sooner so I could have 365 by the end of the year. I’m going straight to Target and get my a jar so I can start tonight. Thank you for this idea, I LOVE IT!!!
We’re only 4 days in so you definitely have a chance to catch up
I love this idea. And I seriously love how cute your memory chest is.
So I totally attempted to do this last year annnnnnnd…I made it until January 6th! Not even a whole week! #fail
I love this idea – and it teaches you to have gratitude for all the little things in life!! I might have to try it
Hello! I found this post through Cori @ Olive to Run!
This is an awesome idea! I may have to start it ASAP since it is the 3rd of the 2014… (already?!).
Also I saw Davida (The Healthy Maven)’s post and Happy Birthday!
Have a great day!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Heather! And thank you for the birthday wishes
This is awesome! Curt and I are doing something kind of similar but we’re filling a jar with date ideas and things we can do together and for each other in 2014. I’m so excited! Happy New Year babe. I’ll keep you posted on the phone sitch….going to the Rogers store today. Such frustration!
Cannot cope. Miss you!
i’ve seen this floating around the past week and i really want to do it. i suppose i only missed a day and can catch up easily =)
I loved doing this challenge the past year! It was so fulfilling to look at my stuffed to max mason jar and knowing that each piece of paper contained a positive memory from the past 365 days! This year I am doing a ‘thankful a day’ challenge and writing down one thing I am thankful for each day! I have more info about it on my blog!
I love this idea! Although I always start projects and never see them through either.
I already have a good memory for yesterday though… my sister brought me her homemade candy cane chocolate chunk ice cream when I was too hungover to eat anything else haha!
I LOVE this idea and wanted to do it last year but… It didn’t happen. I don’t have a super cute trunk like you used, but I have a jar and until I find something better looking I suppose it’ll work
I started out with an empty vase! Whatever works
What a great idea! Good way to focus on the positive and have something to show for the whole year at the end of 2014. I did a gratitude journal one summer with the same concept and I still look back at it now and then since I’m really proud of how much I grew that summer!
Journaling is awesome, and something that I definitely wish I could get back into. I used to do it all the time before I started blogging, and while the blog is -kind of- a journal, it’s not entirely the same.
Ahhh I love this idea! Going to have to try that this year so I have all these fantastic memories come the year’s end.
Happy New Year hun!
I am in love with this idea! and I love that treasure chest! Like you, I tend to start things sometimes, then I lose interest and don’t continue with them…ooops!
this seems like a lot of fun! thanks for sharing 
Love love love this idea, might have to give that a try!
We spent new years playing games and relaxing at my fiances parents house with some family members. And new years day jumping in 32 degree water. Polar bear plunge!
This is such a fantastic idea! I love the idea of being able to look back on all the great things that have happened!
Aww you’re so cute Amanda! I love how you put importance on the little things of life–quite inspiring and fun! I really should write things down more and take note of them. I used to journal and write everything down, especially if I felt like God was showing me something but then it sort of ended up in the back burner as I got married and now have little Selah around. Hahaha there’s barely any time to write a post! Hence, I’m getting better at breaking them down. Thank you for this idea girl! <33
Love this idea!
Happy New Year!!
I love this idea. It’s like a giant gratitude list filled with happy moments and memories.
Oh my gosh, such an awesome idea!! Happy New Year
I love this idea! Definitely going to do this for 2014!
I love this idea! I don’t know that I’m disciplined enough but one can try! You never know, I might surprise myself like you did!
It really helps if you put a sticky note on your mirror or set an alarm on your phone!
Oh, I am SO into this. It’s SUCH a great idea. Can’t wait. Happy new year, purdy lady!
I love this idea! I’m sure it would be so fun to go back through and read them all.
Happy New Year!!