Why Most of Your Life Is Forgotten — And What You Can Still Do About It

Have you ever tried to remember what your everyday life was like 20 or 30 years ago?
Not the big events — but the ordinary thoughts, conversations, and moments that once filled your world?

Most of them have likely slipped away.
That’s not a sign of fading memory. It’s simply how the brain works.

 

We Don’t Record Life — We Remember Highlights

Human memory isn’t like a video recorder. It doesn’t capture everything.
Instead, it stores a selective mix of emotionally significant events, repeated experiences, and life’s turning points.

As psychologist and Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman explains, we have two selves:

The experiencing self, which lives each moment

The remembering self, which saves only the moments it deems meaningful — holidays, celebrations, losses, firsts

In fact, researchers writing in Neuron (2015) show that forgetting is not a flaw — it’s a feature.
It’s how the brain makes space for what’s new and relevant.

But in the process, so much of our lives (the richness, the wisdom, the little details) fade away.
Unless we make an effort to capture them.

 

Writing Helps You Keep What Matters

That’s where writing comes in.

Studies show that journaling or writing about your life helps:

-Reinforce memory
-Improve emotional clarity
-Reduce stress and improve sleep
-Deepen self-understanding

According to psychologist Dr. James Pennebaker, expressive writing even benefits your physical health.

But even more powerfully, it helps you remember things you didn’t even realise you’d forgotten.

Write one story from your life, and often, another memory will follow.
That’s the magic: your memories aren’t gone — they’re buried, waiting to be uncovered.

 

It’s Not Too Late to Start

Never kept a journal? Never written your story? That’s okay.
You haven’t missed your chance.

Many people begin later in life — after retirement, the arrival of grandchildren, or a meaningful life event.
In fact, this is one of the best times to start. You’ve lived enough to have perspective. You’ve earned insight.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

 

At My Life Legacy Book, We Guide You Through the Process

We help you rediscover and preserve your life story — step by step.
Our gentle prompts are designed to uncover memories you didn’t even know you still had.

We’ve seen people:

Reconnect with vivid childhood moments

Rediscover forgotten travels

Surprise their families with never-before-told stories

Why Telling Your Story Matters

Writing your life story isn’t about documenting every detail.
It’s about preserving meaning — your values, humour, lessons, and humanity.

It’s about leaving your family and future generations more than just dates and facts.
It’s giving them a true sense of who you are, not just what you’ve done.

And in doing so, you gain something just as powerful:
Clarity, pride, and peace in the journey you’ve lived.

Not Sure Where to Begin? We’ve Got You.

We’ve created a FREE Beginner’s Guide filled with thoughtful, easy prompts to help you start — even if you haven’t written in years.

Simply fill out the form below, and we will send it across to you.

You don’t need perfect grammar.
You don’t need to be a “writer.”
You just need a willingness to remember.

We’ll help with the rest.

 

Your Legacy Begins with a Page

Most of your life has already happened.
But it’s not too late to reflect on and preserve it.

At My Life Legacy Book, we help you rediscover your story.
Not just for others. For yourself.

Because while memory fades...
Your story deserves to last.