As July ends, it is a great time to reflect on the month's memories. I have been doing monthly roundups since 2006, and it has been one of the most helpful things I have ever done for my memory-keeping practice.

Here are some of the benefits of creating monthly roundups:

• Remembering the good things. It is easy to forget all the good things that happen in a month. You can preserve those memories and look back on them fondly by taking a few minutes to write down the highlights.

• Identifying areas for improvement. Reflecting on the month, you may also notice areas where you could improve. This could be anything from setting better goals to developing new habits.

• Staying motivated and focused. Seeing all the things you have accomplished in a month can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

• Expressing yourself creatively. A monthly roundup can be a fun and creative way to express yourself. You can write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a meaningful way.

If you are not already creating monthly roundups, please give it a try. It is a simple and effective way to improve your memory, document life, and celebrate the good times!

This year, I’m using a more visual approach for the prompts and I will turn them into a reel on my Instagram feed as well. If you prefer your prompts in a list form, I will be including them at the bottom of the post.

Let’s get started!

Here’s a list of the prompts I use each month. Feel free to pick and choose the ones that you find most useful.

• Holidays, celebrations, special occasions, and big events from the month

• Individual and/or family updates

• Entertainment, media, and learning

• News and current events: local, national, international, and personal interest

• Weather, nature, and local scenery

• Foods you ate, cooking, and restaurants

• Travels, adventures, play, hobbies, and favorite finds

What to do with your roundup? Compile all the details and record them in a:

• journal

• blog post

• social media post

• photo collage

• scrapbook page

Remember that roundups are even better when you include photos!