January Roundup Time
Goodbye, January! The first month of the year always feels like a reset—new routines, cozy winter days, and that “fresh start” energy (even if it shows up in tiny ways). As we head into February, it’s the perfect time to pause and capture the moments that made January what it was.
A monthly roundup is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to reflect on your life. You gather a few favorite memories, add some photos, and spend a few minutes recording the highlights. Before you know it, you’ve created a snapshot of your month, and a little time capsule you’ll love revisiting later.
I’ve been creating monthly roundups since January 2006, and it has become one of the most treasured parts of my memory keeping routine. Looking back through past roundups always reminds me how many meaningful moments fill each month… even the ordinary ones.
Quick Start:
Review: scroll your photos + calendar to jog your memory
Gather: collect photos, screenshots, and any little keepsakes
Record: answer a few prompts + add favorites and highlights
Short on time? Set a 10–15 minute timer and do “1 photo + 5 bullets.” That totally counts.
What Is a Monthly Roundup?
A monthly roundup is a simple record of your life from the past month. It can be a few sentences or several pages. The goal is to capture your thoughts, favorites, and experiences so you can look back and see your story unfold over time.
You can create your roundup in whatever format works best for you. Some people prefer digital layouts, others use notebooks or planners, and some create blog posts. What matters most is taking a few minutes to reflect before a new month begins.
Pro tip: Start small. You don’t need to include everything—just choose what you want to remember.
Roundup Prompts for January
Choose 3–5 prompts (or just one!) and keep it simple. Here are some helpful prompts to inspire your January roundup:
What did you watch? (shows, movies, YouTube, performances)
What did you listen to? (music, podcasts, audiobooks)
What did you read? (books, articles, essays, newsletters)
What did you learn? (a lesson, a new skill, an insight)
What did you celebrate? (milestones, birthdays, little wins)
What was newsworthy? (personal and family updates or world events you want to remember)
What felt like a fresh start this month?
Where did you notice “growth” in your life this month—big or small? (If you’re following along with my January focus/theme)
Other ideas (if you want more to pull from):
cozy routines, winter weather moments, favorite foods/drinks, home projects
goals you’re easing into, small habits, progress you noticed
gratitude, funny moments, snapshots of everyday life
These prompts are ideal for scrapbookers, journalers, and anyone who wants to be more intentional about memory keeping.
How to Gather Your January Memories
Before you begin creating your roundup, take a few minutes to gather everything you might want to include.
Look through your calendar, social media posts, and journal entries to jog your memory.
Scroll your January photos and favorite anything you might want to use.
Back up your images in at least two places so you can keep them safe.
Collect any little keepsakes from the month (cards, ticket stubs, notes, programs). You can scan or photograph them to include digitally.
Pull up your screenshots (receipts, memes, texts, reminders, wins—these are so fun to include!).
Pro tip: Make a folder or album called “January Roundup” and drop everything there as you find it.
How to Complete Your Monthly Roundup
Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to create. There is no right or wrong way to make a roundup.
Make a simple list using the prompts above
Design a scrapbook layout or digital collage
Write in a bullet journal, notebook, or planner
Share a post on your blog or social media account
If you share your roundup on Instagram, use the hashtag #roundupyourmemories so you can connect with others who are also documenting their months.
The more often you do this, the more you’ll see how it helps you appreciate the everyday moments that make up your life.
Watch My Roundup Video Tutorial
If you would like to see the process in action, watch my video tutorial on how to create your own monthly roundup. It walks through the steps and gives you ideas for keeping this tradition going all year long.
Begin Your January Roundup
Take a moment to reflect on your month and document your favorite memories from January. Whether you write them down, create a page, or design something digital, you will be glad you did.
Each roundup helps you see your story more clearly and reminds you to notice the magic in everyday life.
