Start with something small, without a script
Try “There was a moment today I want to remember…” and describe what happened. Pause, start again or speak for only half a minute. You are keeping a thought, not recording a polished show.
Three questions you can answer aloud
- What happened today that a photograph would not show?
- Did someone say something I am still thinking about?
- If I forget most of the details tomorrow, which one do I want to keep?
Original example: My mum called on my way home. Nothing special, just asked whether I had eaten. When I got to the door, I realized I had stopped rushing for the rest of the walk.
Do you want words or sound?
Choose transcription when you want to read and edit later. Keep an audio recording when the tone, laugh or pause matters. These are not automatically the same result: correctly transcribed text does not prove that the original recording is also attached to the entry.
Check before you finish
- Review names, places and words the transcription may have misheard.
- Play the beginning and end of an audio attachment to check that it is not silent.
- Confirm the entry was saved before leaving the flow.
Choose a suitable place
Find somewhere safe and relatively quiet. Consider other people’s wishes and privacy when recording a conversation. If you use cloud transcription, read the service’s processing and access conditions first.