THE MOMENTLOG FIELD GUIDE
What to Say in a Video Diary: 12 Everyday Prompts
Try a 20-second example out loud, then pick one of 12 prompts about everyday life, work, travel, or your future self.
Pick one question, not the whole list
Name one thing that happened today and say why you want to remember it. Here’s what that can sound like.
A 20-second example
“Dad called while I was making dinner. I had the onions in the pan and he was trying to remember how his mother made them. We both guessed. Mine came out a little burnt, but I want to call him again next Sunday and give it another go.”
An ordinary day: notice the small things
- What small moment made me pause today?
- What has changed about a place I visit often?
- What did I eat, hear, or see that I want to explain to my future self?
TRY THIS OPENING · EXAMPLE
“Today seemed ordinary, but at dinner I suddenly remembered…”
After work: keep the process
- What specific problem did I solve today?
- Which attempt did not work, and what would I change next time?
- What feels different about something that was difficult last week?
TRY THIS OPENING · EXAMPLE
“The thing I want to remember from today is finally figuring out…”
Focus on your own experience and keep workplace information confidential.
Travel and relationships: tell the story outside the frame
- What did I notice first in this new place?
- Which conversation from today do I want to remember?
- What was different from what I expected before arriving?
TRY THIS OPENING · EXAMPLE
“This is where we just arrived, but what I really want to tell you is what happened on the way…”
Ask before recording other people.
Your future self: leave something to return to
- What do I hope to remember about today in three months?
- What am I waiting for, and what outcome do I want to know?
- What should I remind myself to do when watching this next week?
TRY THIS OPENING · EXAMPLE
“If you’re watching this next week, remember to…”
Turn a prompt into a MomentLog entry
Start recording, introduce your topic, give one example, and close with one sentence. Save the log and revisit it in Timeline. AI organization requires sign-in and available allowance. Speak the important names, events, and background aloud: AI processes the audio. Do not expect a summary to reconstruct visual details you never described.
It is fine to skip a day
You do not need to answer all twelve questions or repeat the same one every day. Pick two or three that fit your life, then return to them after some time has passed. Comparing those answers can be more useful than collecting many similar clips. The point is to keep something you want to revisit, not to turn everyday life into a filming assignment.