With about a week left in October, I'm starting to think about my monthly roundup. Before we turn the page to November, I like to spend a little time looking back at the month and gathering the memories I want to document. Taking a few minutes now to review my photos, calendar, and notes makes it much easier to put everything together later.
October's theme has been A Sense of Wonder, so I've been paying more attention to the things that catch my interest, surprise me, or make me want to learn more. It's been a fun way to think about photography and memory keeping, and I'd like to include some of those experiences in my October roundup.
Of course, there are plenty of other things I want to remember about the month, too. Family activities, projects I've been working on, books I've read, places we've visited, and all the little things that made October interesting.
If you're planning to create a monthly roundup, now is a good time to start gathering a few of those memories while they're still fresh.
Remember Something That Surprised or Amazed You
Think back over the past few weeks. Was there something you experienced that turned out to be even better than you expected? Maybe you visited an interesting place, learned something surprising, noticed something beautiful, or had an experience that made you see something differently.
One of the things I like about our Sense of Wonder theme is that it encourages me to think about why certain experiences stand out in my memory. If something amazed you this month, make a quick note about what happened and why it was memorable. You might already have a photograph that captures the experience, or you could find something that helps tell the story.
Take a Few More Photos Before October Ends
There's still time to take photographs of things you'll want to remember about October. I always seem to have plenty of pictures from special activities, but sometimes I realize I haven't photographed much of our ordinary everyday life.
Take a look at the photographs you've already collected this month. Are there any people, places, activities, or details you'd like to include that you haven't photographed yet? You might want to capture some of your Halloween decorations, fall activities, a project you've been working on, or something that has become part of your daily routine. You could also revisit the October photo prompts for a few ideas inspired by our Sense of Wonder theme.
You don't need to photograph everything. Just look for a few things that will help you remember what life was like this October.
Make a Few Quick Notes
Before the month ends, spend a little time reviewing your calendar and thinking about what you've been doing. I find that appointments, family activities, meetings, and other calendar entries often remind me of things I might have forgotten.
You can also think about the books you've read, shows or movies you've watched, projects you've completed, and anything new you've tried. Did you make an interesting discovery, visit somewhere memorable, or spend time doing something you particularly enjoyed? I like to jot down a few words about these things while they're still fresh in my mind. I don't worry about writing complete sentences because I know I'll have time to add more details when I put my roundup together.
Use What You've Already Collected
Your photos and calendar are a great starting point, but don't forget about the other places you might have recorded memories throughout the month. I often find helpful reminders in my social media posts, messages, notes, and even pictures I've saved or shared with family. Sometimes a short caption or conversation brings back details I wouldn't have remembered otherwise.
If you've been sharing photographs or updates throughout October, take a few minutes to look back through them. You may have already documented more of the month than you realize.
Keep It Simple
You don't need to have your entire October roundup planned before the month is over. For now, just gather a few photographs, jot down some notes, and think about the experiences you'd like to remember. I like doing this a little ahead of time because it gives me a chance to fill in any gaps before October ends. Then, when I'm ready to create my scrapbook pages, I have most of what I need.
I'll be sharing my October roundup reminders and prompts at the end of the month. In the meantime, enjoy these last few days of October and see what other memories you can collect!
