Creating a “Places I’ve Been” Memory Map, Why Dietary Fiber Matters, and Annuity Strategies for High Net Worth Individuals

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join {{active_subscriber_count}} other seniors for free.

Have you reviewed our book yet? Please do so here.

A “Places I’ve Been” memory map is a simple way to see your life geographically — not as a static list of trips, but as a collection of places that shaped who you are. This isn’t about simply documenting everywhere you’ve traveled. It’s about noticing how place and memory intersect, and capturing it in a form that’s both meaningful and manageable.

Begin by listing places that marked a shift, not just a visit. This might include the town where you grew up, the city where you first lived on your own, a place tied to a job, where you served in the military, the venue where you got married, or a turning point year for another reason. Even short stays count if something important happened there. Limiting yourself to 10–15 locations keeps the map focused and personal.

Your map doesn’t need to be digital or artistic. Some people prefer a printed world or country map with handwritten notes. Others use a notebook, assigning one page per place. You might also use index cards laid out on a table. The format matters less than accessibility — choose something easy to return to, not something that feels like a project.

For each location, write just one memory: a smell, a habit, a realization, or a small moment that stayed with you. For example, “Learned to cook for myself,” or “Felt brave for the first time,” or “Spent long evenings talking.” Avoid summarizing entire chapters. One clear memory often says more than a whole paragraph.

Once completed, look at the map as a whole. You may notice patterns — periods of staying put, years of movement, or places that quietly shaped who you became. This perspective can be grounding. It turns scattered memories into a visible life story.

A memory map isn’t meant to be finished once and set aside. It’s something you can add to slowly, revisiting places as new memories surface.

“The Bus Stop with No Bench”
From the life overview of Robert M., 85, Newark, NJ. Shared with permission.

The bus stop on Springfield Avenue never had a bench, just a faded sign bolted to a telephone pole and a patch of cracked sidewalk that everyone treated as a waiting room. In winter, we stamped our feet to keep warm; in summer, we shifted from one foot to the other, chasing whatever scrap of shade the buildings allowed. I stood there every morning in my thirties, coffee cooling too fast in a paper cup, tie already loosened before the day had properly begun.

Most days, the same faces gathered in silence. A woman with a grocery cart she used like a walker. A young man with headphones that leaked tinny music. An older man with more lines on his face than there were cracks on the sidewalk. We didn’t speak, but we recognized one another in the way you do when routines overlap long enough to feel shared. The bus was always late, and we all pretended to be surprised each time.

One morning, after a heavy snow, the city plow had shoved a ridge of dirty ice right up against the curb. When the bus finally arrived, the driver stopped short and opened the doors with a sigh. Without discussion, the young man jumped down first, kicking at the ice until there was space to step. The woman took his arm. The old man laughed at how ridiculous it all looked.

As the bus pulled away, I caught our reflections in the fogged window. There we were, strangers pressed together, steadying one another for just a moment. That stop never did get a bench. It didn’t matter. Comfort doesn’t always come from what’s provided. Sometimes it shows up because people decide to make room.

***

Do you want to (1) capture your life story like above or (2) edit, format, and/or publish something you’ve worked on for years?
Get a FREE Life Story or Publishing Consultation

The Mark Twain Project Online
A carefully edited collection of Twain’s letters, writings, and notes, presented with helpful context but no fuss. It’s easy to read a single letter or follow a longer thread over time.

United States Patent and Trademark Office — Patent Public Search
A searchable database of U.S. patents, including older designs and practical inventions that never became household names. Browsing it gives a clear view of how people documented problems and worked toward solutions.

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian — Online Exhibitions
Digital exhibitions built around objects, photographs, and firsthand perspectives. The presentations are clear and respectful, and they work well for short visits or deeper reading.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget. (Does your story deserve to be told?)

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

It only takes one fake website to cause a real headache. Scam sites often look convincing—especially on a phone screen—because they copy the colors, logos, and wording of trusted companies. Before you type in a password, credit card number, or even your address, take a few seconds to check whether the website is truly secure. Those few seconds can save you hours (or days) of cleanup later.

Before entering any personal information, look for these signs:

If you’re unsure, this FTC guide is excellent and easy to follow.

If you shop or bank online regularly, these steps help you catch smarter scams:

A secure website should make it easy for you to feel safe—not rushed or confused. If anything feels “off,” pause, close the page, and go directly to the company’s official website. When it comes to your personal information, being cautious isn’t paranoid—it’s smart.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Caribbean Cruise - departing February 20, from $248

Unmissable American gem: Cold Spring, New York is a cozy Hudson Valley village known for antique shops, river views, and small-town charm—ideal for a peaceful day trip with plenty of stops (and benches) along the way.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Folding seat used outdoors in summer.

WALN RICHA

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.

Interested in advertising with Seniors Magazine? Learn more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.