Memory Journey Technique: A 10-Stop Example

Memory journey technique: a ten-stop example

A memory journey uses familiar landmarks in a fixed order as prompts for information. It is a form of the method of loci, just like a memory palace; the main difference is that your route may travel through streets, a park or a commute rather than rooms in one building.

Choose a familiar route with a clear beginning and end.
Identify ten different stops in their usual order.
Attach one striking, easy-to-decode image to each stop.
Mentally walk the route and retrieve the images without looking at your source list.
Check mistakes, improve vague images and return for spaced practice.

Example — first five chemical elements: imagine a floating hydrogen balloon at the front gate, a helium party hat at a mailbox, a lithium battery dancing at the bus stop, a beryllium-colored bell at the corner shop and a giant boron-labelled laboratory flask at the park entrance. Each landmark prompts the next element. The rest of this article includes a ten-element practice list you can place along your own route.

Introduction

A memory journey and a memory palace are both versions of the method of loci. People often use “memory palace” for a familiar building and “memory journey” for an outdoor route, but the core strategy—stable locations and vivid associations—is the same.

Like memory palaces, the key is selecting familiar locations and routes. We layer new information on top of our chosen spots to recall information as we mentally take the journey.

Ultimately, we could undergo the same process with a large memory palace. It’s nice to use the journey technique when we have much information to remember. In particular, I like memory journeys for remembering the contents of articles, poems, and plays.

It’s also fun to physically walk through a memory journey and imagine the pegged information coming to life.

How to Create a Memory Journey

Step 1: Choose a familiar journey

When creating your first memory journey, you should choose a place you can easily imagine. For me, this is the neighborhood where I currently live. Choose any area or route that is familiar to you.

Step 2: Map distinct stopping points

Plan through the route. You can do this on paper or in your head. I like to plan out a route on paper first. Label each spot where you can store new information. Use as many places and landmarks as possible. Tying novel information to familiar places will work.

Don’t worry too much about making your route perfect the first time. Eventually, you can refine how you set up your memory palaces.

Step 3: Encode the elements with images

Next, practice by making a list to memorize. If you need a list, use the first ten elements of the period table. Place these elements in your memory journey using the principles discussed earlier: exaggeration, movement, substitution, and absurdity.

Hydrogen
Helium
Lithium
Beryllium
Boron
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Fluorine
Neon

Step 4: Mentally revisit and recall

Walk through your memory journey a few times to solidify and memorize the information. Using spaced repetition will help make it stick for a longer period of time.

Conclusion

While many similarities exist between a memory palace and a memory journey, some people develop a strong preference for one or the other. Experiment and determine which one works best for you.