# Memory Bucket [[On Tools, Skills, and Practices...]] Type: Use: A simple tool that helps us reconstruct and contextualize the story of our lives, recall forgotten memories, and aid in [[🦮 How to Recover from Trauma|trauma recovery]] and [[💡 Integrate a Part]]. **Remembering traumatic events is not required for trauma recovery**. - [[🔑 Our minds are natural story-tellers]] Some tips to recall more memories: - What music did I listen to? - What films or shows did I watch? - What were my hobbies? - What sports, clubs, or communities was I involved with? - Who was I dating at the time? - Who did I spend my time with? - What was the relationship with my parents or caregivers like growing up? Siblings? - How did my caregivers respond when I got upset (sad, angry, hurt, or afraid)? - How did my parents discipline or not discipline me? - Do I recall experiences that were abusive (verbally, physically, or sexually)? - What was the relationship like between my parents? Do I recall episodes of anger or violence? Did they get divorced? - Were any of my caregivers living with an untreated mental illness? If yes, what impact did this have on me? - Were any of my family members addicted to alcohol or drugs? If yes, how did this affect me? - Did any of my family members spend time in jail or prison? If yes, what impact did this have on me? - Were there any positive mentors who were invested in me, cared for me, understood me, or protected me during my childhood? Was there someone who noticed that I was capable, intelligent, or talented? - Do I recall having a community member (such as a neighbor, church member, teacher, or coach) who was there to help me? Do I recall having someone who cared how I was doing at home or in school? - Did I develop any friendships in which I could talk about my life and feel understood? - Did I develop street smarts: were I independent, or a go-getter? - Looking at the answers to those questions, can I identify traumatic events that might exist as triggers in my current life? - Did I identify any traumatic events that would benefit from further attention? Have I found [[💡 Parts]] or [[💡 Trailheads]] I can revisit later?