Memory

I have a terrible memory. It wasn't always this bad. In fact, I solely relied on my memory well into my 30's, never writing down any appointments. I could recall specific dates on which an event happened, what I wore and what conversations I had. My recall for faces and names served me well in my former, high-profile job. So did remembering facts, data and enough information about anything I had read to make meaningful conversation with just about anyone I met.

Fast forward to roughly 2013 or so.  I am hard pressed to come up with anything. There are some very legitimate reasons for this. My family suffered some significant traumas during that time including the loss of my mother. We also moved, a few times. I left my job, instead staying home with our kids while doing some work for our company as needed. Finally, I began feeling lousy. What started as some significant back pain after a car accident evolved into chronic pain. This lead to migraines, stress and depression. Finally, I was diagnosed with a genetic condition that made all of this make sense.  It didn't make the pain go away, but it did help me learn to cope and slowly rehabilitate my spine as best as I could.  I'm still working on physical and mental wellness and I'm happy to say I'm significantly improved.

This 7 year whirlwind of trauma, stress, life changes, loss and mourning, mental and physical health struggles, medications, more moving, and plain old aging has seriously taxed my ability to recall events, even large events.  I am doing quite a few things to try to improve my memory skills, or at least stave off any progression. I took a couple challenging grad school courses. I work on puzzles and games. I knit. I read. I frequently go through my phone and try to recall everything surrounding a photo I have taken. I also try to reminisce with my family a lot.

I've had false starts to blogs before. This was when I was working full time or volunteering, and while my kids were quite small and needed more of me. I'm not in those positions any longer. In fact, most days I'm rather restless and I crave routine and purpose. I believe chronicling my days and family's adventures is an excellent solution. I intend to straddle posting about current happenings while also revisiting events in the past. Since my interests are reading, films, knitting, making, cooking, hiking and travel, I believe most of my content will reflect that. I may also discuss my health and wellness efforts, maybe even focusing on education/awareness of the conditions with which I struggle. Time will tell.

I hope you find my little experiment of interest and enjoy revisiting my memories with me.

Love,
Steph