How to Elevate Your Mood by Reliving Your Most Memorable Moments
Well, just as we thought we were out of the woods with Covid, we are hitting the second wave. But somehow, I feel more hopeful than I did when we were deep in the throes of our lockdown in the spring. How about you, how are you feeling? I hope you are all doing okay. It’s been awhile and I’ve missed you.
Today, I felt compelled to write and tell you about an activity I’ve been engaged in that makes me feel creative, inspired and joyful. If you have a moment to try it, perhaps it can help elevate your mood as well.
Controlling the ‘Monkey Mind’
To get myself out of the funk I was feeling due to the pandemic, and to occupy the ‘monkey mind’ that spirals out of control when it has too much time to think, I started reflecting on the things I did that made me happy in the past. I grabbed some paper and started making a list of the amazing things I got to do in my life. As I reminisced about these memorable moments, the same heightened emotions I felt in the past were felt again. It was like being engrossed in a movie, but that movie was my real life. It felt so delicious, I kept doing it, a little every day. Next thing I knew, I had over 100 things on my list.
Not only was this a positive way to alleviate boredom, it shifted my focus away from all the negativity in the news – a welcomed diversion. I was getting enthusiastic about life again. I’m not sure if it was the spark of imagination, the creative process of writing or the feeling of immense gratitude – it was probably all of these – and I didn’t want the exercise to end. So, I decided to write a paragraph about each of the items, describing what happened, when, and with whom. I started to pull out old photo albums and journals, so I could look up dates and refresh my memory about details.
Can You Trust Your Memory?
Our memory is a funny thing. I thought I knew particular details for certain, but when I looked them up, I discovered I was not always accurate. That’s when I discovered another valuable benefit of this project. It would always be here for me, to reread years from now, to share with my kids, grandkids, and anyone else that would care to read it. I wouldn’t have to rely on my memory; I can’t trust it now, imagine 20 years from now.
Next, I dug up photos that represented these epic moments, and I put them in an album on my phone. Now I have a slide show to couple with my list. But this is the over-achiever in me, and my attempt to prolong the flow of endorphins this exercise was feeding me. (I believe the ‘high’ I was feeling was caused by tiny neurochemicals released by my body, boosting pleasure and resulting in a feeling of well-being – but that’s just the nerd in me talking).
How To Get the Most Out of This Exercise
This little project of mine was super rewarding and I highly recommend it. Just don’t over-think it or make it another ‘should’. Past events will pop up in your mind and you may begin judging them and concluding that they are not so epic after all. Resist this tendency to evaluate. Remember, it’s often the little things that mean the most to us. Look at hugs and how much we took those for granted BC (Before Covid).
If you are inspired to do this exercise, (and I hope I’ve convinced you to try it), let’s get started right now. Share a few of your ‘Amazing Things I Got to Do in My Life’ in the comments below.
It could be cool things you did on vacation, fascinating people you’ve met, classes you’ve taken, awards or contests you’ve won, or moments when something in nature took your breath away. Big or small, if it was an amazing experience, write it down. Let’s shift our focus from all the things we can’t do right now to all the things we were fortunate enough to experience so far – and relive them.
My List
I won’t bore you with my entire list (so far, it’s up to 105), I’ll just give you a few at random, just to get you thinking….
#10 Was on stage with Rod Stewart during his encore.
#75 Sat in the audience during a taping of a TV game show.
#55 Walked both my daughters down the aisle.
#48 Caught Roger Taylor’s drumstick at the end of a Queen concert.
#89 Walked on the ocean floor wearing a helmet filled with air (see photo).
#58 Ate grilled octopus at a hillside restaurant in Santorini
#41 Saw Chris Angel do up-close magic.
P.S. If you want to see my whole list, email me yours and I’ll be happy to send it to you. You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.
Love this Hellen! Abraham Hicks calls this ‘positive aspects list.’ You list things that you appreciate and really feel it. Appreciation brings forth more of your desires. Gratitude is the attitude! 🙂
Hi there Kim. Hmmm, that’s very interesting. I did not know that. And here I was thinking I made it up myself – lol. I love Abraham Hicks. I agree 100% that gratitude attracts more of what we want. I’d like to read more about this ‘positive aspects list’ you mentioned.Do you happen to remember which book it’s from?
What a marvellous exercise, Hellen! Especially now.
Although not as famous as Rod Stewart, I was on stage with one of my favourite bands, Pink Martini, singing along to “I Am Woman” and “Una Notte a Napoli.”
It’s wonderful reliving this experience and transporting myself out of the pandemic and into a crowded happy musical place.
Glad you enjoyed it, Lynne. Wow, what a cool moment you experienced! I’m thrilled I could transport you into a ‘crowded, happy musical place’ – safely that is. (Which reminds me how much I miss those crowded, happy musical places). I can hardly wait to go to concerts again when it’s safe to do so. Until then, back reminiscing…
Several months ago I started to do something similar – in a separate journal notebook I began to write down “moments” in time where I was fully present and that had brought about joy, deep learning and gratitude. Soon I had long list and I wrote a paragraph or two on each, here is one: walking at end of day light to a quaint gourmet market store in an old residential neighbourhood in early winter just before Christmas to get a few ingredients and walking past a home I saw 2 kids skating on a small ice rink made in their front yard – they were just home from school. It was gently snowing and the street lights had just come on, I slowed my walk and watched the play and was remembering the year my grandfather had made a similar rink for me and my sisters. It was truly magical and I was grateful all over again. This notebook has become a true gratitude journal that like yours, tells a story of a life well lived in many sometimes simple and ordinary moments. Thank you for sharing yours, it makes me smile that we came up with such a similar idea during these challenging times – so therapeutic to feel connected when physically “isolated” from others.
Hi Sheila. Wow, that description of your joyful moment took my breath away – so magical. Thank you for taking the time to share. You are absolutely right, sometimes it’s the most ordinary moments that touch our hearts and that we remember fondly years later.
Hi Hellen! I am thrilled to read your post. I maintain a gratitude journal (and also host a monthly gratitude circle blog hop on my blog) but I do make the list you described. It is the best way to enjoy instant upliftment and relive happy, positive moments. And of course it is true that when we focus on what is, rather than the if-onlys, especially during these times, life is certainly much more enjoyable.
By the way, the positive aspects list Kim was referring to in her comment is from the book Money, and the Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. And yes, I love Abraham Hicks’ teachings.
So here is the thing. I’ll share my list with you next week. I really want to see your entire list! I am already awed by the 7 things you’ve shared here! On stage with Rod Stewart! *looks at you with a WOW!* Also, I plan to share your post in my next Gratitude Circle post (on 29 Oct) I came here via the 5-Minute Recharge Newsletter. So very happy to meet you!
Hi Vidya, thanks so much for the reference and for sharing my post. Can’t wait to see your list. As promised, I will be happy to send you mine.
Hi Helen:
Your info is a great way to get out of the funk. I watch a lot of TV, and have been enjoying many new shows as I felt bored with my usual ones.
Also instead of referring to 2020 as the “Year from hell” and am referring to the “Year to test our mettle”. Thought of this yesterday, and felt a whole lot better.
When walking I try to really listen and enjoy my surroundings. Find it helps.
Sheri B