Use memory triggers

Go through a box of letters you've saved. Sort out the important ones into a pile. As you read through your letters, write a short account of what was going on in the relationship and in your life when you received each letter. You can include letters in your memoir or scrapbook. If you wish, you can scan them to create digital copies.

Go through a photo album. Identify photos that have special meaning for you. Write a short story about some of these photos.

Go through a scrapbook album. The memorabilia and picture captions found in scrapbook albums can be wonderful triggers for reviving fond memories.

View a Google map of the neighborhood you lived in during a period of your life. Describe some of the neighborhood places that meant a lot to you.

Type an outline using decades for the main headers and years within decades for the sub-headers. You can further divide each year into seasons if you wish. Write short descriptions of events which occurred during each period.

Think about past family gatherings. What foods were served? How were they arranged on the table? What did they smell like?

Look at an old journal entry. Why did you write this entry? What was on your mind that day? Was this day typical of that period in your life?

Old bric-a-brac saved in drawers and shoe boxes can trigger memories. Try holding an old ring or cuff link in your palm and allow yourself to let it tell you its story.