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Many of us feel overwhelmed by the prospect of telling our stories never mind authoring a memoir. One. More. Thing. To do. And, "How do I even get started?”
Companies exist that will send you daily and weekly prompts to help; some will even call you. You answer a question at a time until you get to some state of "done." This is a solid, time-tested strategy for any of life’s larger tasks, breaking it down into something smaller.
Those question-by-question approaches are not for everyone. You may feel pestered as well as stressed if you “get behind.” And not all of us are great with open-ended questions that lack true personalization.
Another option is to work with a professional writer. No, not someone you meet for 30 or 60 minutes and with their notes they write or record your life story. Really? That’s a neat trick. If only life were so simple.
We’re talking about the professionals like with LifeBook Memoirs, whose work is a true art, a physical family heirloom, and a gift. The level of care, privacy, and personalization to your needs, coupled with the product they print makes anyone a believer in the power of a memoir.
But what if you want are not yet ready to plunge into the time and cost of a memoir and still want to privately make progress on your own? That's what we're talking about here today.
The Artifcts Approach to Writing Your Story, Your Memoir
I’ve been telling my story through travel mementos, collections, books, photos and more, slowly but surely through my Artifcts. No outline. No grand scheme. As I come across or receive something that inspires me, I Artifct it.
I'll use one of my most recent Artifcts as a simple example. I took my 13-year-old daughter to see the Broadway show Six. She loves choir and drama, and yet she couldn’t have been less excited in the days leading up to the show. I stayed quiet (which if you know me is quite a feat) and waited. The lights dimmed, the six wives and the all-female band took the stage. And ... magic!
My daughter was enthralled, smiling, and shooting looks at me that said, “Wow!” After the show she told me it was even better than Hamilton. Never could I ever have imagined anything would outshine Hamilton in her eyes.
When we got home, I Artifcted the physical playbill, the digital one with the six wives’ signatures, and a pic of my daughter at the theatre. Why? I’m not going to keep that playbill, but I am going to keep the memory of that day for always, for her, for me.
Fun fact: When I later searched Artifcts to pull up my Artifct, I found a second Artifct for Six. I had forgotten that my co-founder took her daughter to Six, too. Don’t you love uncovering surprise connections?
The Best of Social Media, Meets the Best of Artifcts
I always tell people that when we built Artifcts, all the social media giants were on Capitol Hill defending themselves and their policies. We had the opportunity to build something better. So, I’ve been privately Artifcting the big little moments in my life through the objects I collect without the pressure of view counts and follows.
Then one day about two years into Artifcts, a genealogist challenged me to show how Artifcts could easily help someone to tell their life story. Apparently this is the holy grail of the genealogy world. I eagerly accepted that challenge and gave myself 10 minutes to complete it.
How? Like Lewis Carroll’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, I began at the beginning, using the Artifcts I had already created to tell my story in full color (and with audio, video, and supporting documentation, too).
Created a new Artifct
Titled it. I was literal, “My Life Story.”
Picked a category. I used “Life Moments: Other Life Moments.”
Filled in the story. Within the 10 minutes, I wrote an 1,100-word story that included approximately 40 Artifcts via @ mentions and wove in each of my family members, key friends and other loved ones with @ mentions, too, giving them instant ‘View’ access to my story.
Added documentation. Totally optional, but in this case I chose to privately attach my birth and marriage certificates.
Tagged it. #LifeStory and #Genealogy made sense to me for single-click sorting to see other Artifcts with the same tags in the future.
This 2.5 minute video shows you the @ feature in action.
Imagine the surprise of the genealogist who challenged me when I privately shared the Artifct with her and it was not just a story, but a multi-media surprise of layered stories about myself, my loved ones, the places of been, and the experiences I have accumulated, aka life!
The green text represents the linked Artifcts that are sprinkled throughout my "life story" Artifct.
Don’t have 40 Artifcts? You could tell your story in 5 Artifcts, 30, or 100s. Artifcts you don’t weave into your story will always be one click away in your Artifcts collection for the full-er story!
How Will You Write and Share Your Life Story?
Artifcts is a gift. The reality is that if I were no longer here tomorrow, my family would know me and remember me with support from my Artifcts. No life story required.
The life story Artifct I created is simple to create and a powerful, one-stop opportunity to hear the story from my perspective. And, best yet I can go in and edit and add to it any time I want. My story is not done. My perspective may yet shift, even on the way I see the past changes. And, who knows, one day my Artifcts may be the perfect fodder for LifeBook Memoirs to help me write my memoir.
No matter how you choose to tell your stories, we beg you:
Create a digital backup. And make sure your loved ones know your story exists and how to get to it and ALL the supporting materials (photos, documents etc.) that went into it.
Do not let perfection or some idea that your stories don’t matter stand in your way. There’s no one “youer” than you!
We promise you it’s the big little details in life that everyone loves you for and wants to remember you for, too.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sasso Piatto, destroyer of stuffies and Chief Happiness Officer here at Artifcts. I haven’t got much time as my Mum has stepped away from her laptop, and I know she’ll be back soon.
Today’s topic? The importance of Artifcting ALL your life’s keepsakes because you never know what will happen next. Case in point, my cherished Mr. Moose.
Mr. Moose was the love of my life (second only to bacon). We had been through thick and thin together. Mr. Moose was always up for adventures—mud puddle hopping, snow pile digging, and zoomies in the front yard. He was my constant companion, my snuggle buddy, and my best friend.
And then, just yesterday, an unthinkable thing happened. My Mum got rid of Mr. Moose. One moment I was admiring my handy-work (who knew Mr. Moose had so much stuffing?) and then, gone! Into the trash. How could she?!
Sure, he was well-loved (who doesn’t love a plush moose with squeaky antlers), but that doesn’t mean that it was time for him to go. My Mum claimed the stuffing was falling out of him (I think she needs new glasses) and that the squeaker was a choking hazard. As if! I swallow Milk Bones whole! Choking hazard, it was not.
And the worst part is that she didn’t even pause long enough to let me ARTIFCT him. Not one photo. Not one solemn moment to stop and reflect on all the love and joy Mr. Moose has brought me over the years. Of all the people, of all the deeds. How could my Mum, the founder of Artifcts, TOSS MR. MOOSE OUT before I got to Artifct him?
I beg you Dear Reader to take a moment today and Artifct That! It could be a favorite photo, a cherished piece of kid's art, or for the love of all, a favorite toy. If you’re planning to declutter this spring (hello spring cleaning!) take a moment to Artifct those treasures before you (OR YOUR MUM) toss them out.
Speaking of spring cleaning, I heard my Mum mumble something about re-homing the Everest sized pile of sticks I’ve accumulated outside the front door. For those of you not in the know, I’ve learned that “re-homing” really means removing. I’ve got to go! Time to Artifct my favorite sticks before they too disappear.
Where were you in 1996? Take a moment and really think about it.
Where were you living? What filled your days? What music was on repeat, and what did your favorite outfit look like? Maybe you were heading off to school in flannel and Doc Martens, building a career in your first real job, or chasing toddlers around the house. Maybe 1996 was loud and exciting—or quiet and uncertain. Either way, it was yours.
Lately, there’s been a surge of nostalgia inviting us to revisit that specific year. But the truth is, it’s not really about 1996.It’s about something much bigger.
It’s Not Just 1996—It’s Any Year
Pick a year. Any year. 1996. 2006. 2016. Last summer.
Every single one holds a version of you that no longer exists—someone shaped by the people, places, and moments of that time. And tucked inside those years are vivid snapshots: the song that instantly transports you back in time, the hat you wore until it fell apart, the photo you’ve kept in a drawer for decades.
We all have these anchors, the objects and memories that pull us back to “way back when.” A concert t-shirt isn’t just a shirt. It’s the night you sang every word with your friends, the feeling of freedom, the version of yourself that felt invincible.
A certificate, a ticket stub, a handwritten note—these aren’t just things. They’re evidence of a life fully lived, in moments both big and small.
The Small Moments Matter More Than You Think
It’s easy to assume that only major milestones deserve to be remembered—graduations, weddings, promotions. But what about everything in between?
Our co-founder Heather recently came across a stash of photos from her high school days and her daughter was in awe. The clothes! The hair! The concerts! Heather had forgotten how she had spent the summer of '96 working two jobs and attending every Phish concert within driving distance of her childhood home. Funny, because that's just what her daughter wants to do this summer.
The everyday moments are often the ones that define us most:
The summer you spent making friendship bracelets at camp
The first apartment that barely had furniture but felt like independence
The hobby you picked up on a whim that turned into a lifelong passion
The concert t-shirt you wore so often it became part of your identity
These moments may feel small at the time, but they’re rich with meaning. And over time, they become the stories we wish we had captured more fully.Because memory fades. Details blur. And eventually, even the most vivid experiences can become harder to recall.
Why Capturing Your Story Matters
The people who come after us—our kids, grandkids, and beyond—don’t automatically know who we were. They might know the broad strokes. Where we lived. What we did for work. Maybe a few stories that get told again and again.But they don’t know what it felt like to be you in 1996. Or 1976. Or 2016.
They don’t know what made you laugh, what you worried about, or what you dreamed of, unless you tell them.
How to Turn Memories Into Artifcts
That’s where Artifcting comes in. Artifcting is the act of preserving not just your objects, but the stories behind them—so they can live on far beyond your memory.Looking for an easy way to get started?
Start with What You Already Have
Look around your home. Open a drawer, a closet, or an old box in the attic.Find something that instantly takes you back:
A photo from the ‘90s
A concert t-shirt (Fun fact! Our Advisory Board Member Matt Paxton recently spent an afternoon with his teenage son Artifcting his vintage concert t-shirts from the 90s.)
A piece of jewelry
A letter or postcard
If it sparks a memory, it’s worth preserving.
Capture the Story, Not Just the Object
Ask yourself:
Where did this come from?
Why did it matter to me?
What was happening in my life at the time?
Who was I then?
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning.
The object is just the entry point—the story is what gives it meaning
Add Context That Only You Can Provide
This is the part no one else can recreate, especially the most well-intentioned AI-apps that promise to tell you your story. (Naturally, we have our doubts about that.)
Describe the details:
What you were wearing?
Who you were with?
What the world felt like at that moment?
These personal insights transform a simple item into a living memory.
Preserve It Digitally
Open the Artifcts App and upload your photo or a photo of your item and pair it with your story.Now it’s not just stored—it’s documented, searchable, and shareable with the people who matter most. Bonus! Add audio or video too for greater context and details that only you can provide.
Share It Across Generations
Invite your family into the experience by privately sharing the Artifct with them.Your stories become a bridge—connecting generations through shared history, personal insight, and emotional truth.
Your Story Is Still Unfolding
Thinking back to 1996 might feel like a fun exercise in nostalgia. But it’s also a reminder: the life you’re living right now will one day be “way back then,” too.
What from today will you wish you had captured?
The coffee mug you use every morning
The playlist that defines this season of your life
The photo sitting unnoticed on your phone
These are tomorrow’s Artifcts just waiting to be captured today. You don’t need a milestone. You don’t need a perfect story. You just need a moment—and the willingness to preserve it.
So ask yourself again:Where were you in 1996?Then take the next step.Capture it. Tell it. Artifct it.Because your story deserves to be remembered—not just by you, but by everyone who comes after.
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There’s something almost magical about the objects we keep.
A framed photograph on the wall. A handwritten recipe card tucked into a drawer. A ring passed down through generations. These items are more than ‘stuff’—they are vessels of memory, identity, and connection.
However, we also keep, either intentionally or unintentionally, vast collections of other items, trinkets, and do-dads. Don’t believe me? Take a look at your junk drawer and let’s talk.
According to an article in the LA Times, the average American home contains 300,000 items. Now that’s a lot of ‘stuff.’ If you took just one minute to briefly examine each item, it would take you 5,000 hours, or roughly 208 days. That's a lot of time, especially if you inherit an estate and are trying to get to the bottom of what the objects are and if they have any value.
At Artifcts, we believe there is a better way to not only sort and organize the items we keep and the keepsakes we love, but to also document the value, history, and stories that go along with those items.
From Object to Story in Seconds
We created our Artifcts QR code stickers to solve a simple but meaningful problem: how do you seamlessly connect the physical objects in your life with the stories behind them?
No more printing, cutting, or searching for labels. Just grab a sheet of durable, weatherproof stickers, place one on your item, scan it, and start creating. Each scan prompts you to either create a new Artifct or link the sticker to an existing one—instantly tying that object to its digital story.It’s organization, storytelling, and preservation—all in one simple action.
But Here’s Where It Gets Personal…
With Artifcts, you can add audio and video to every Artifct you create. That means when someone scans your QR code sticker, they don’t just read about the object—they experience it.
They can hear the laughter in your voice.
They can see the way your hands move as you demonstrate a recipe.
They can feel the emotion behind the memory.
Because sometimes, the story isn’t just what happened—it’s how it’s told. Audio and video are powerful keepers of memories. They capture inflection, personality, and even the little imperfections that make memories real and human.
Imagine the Possibilities
Once you start thinking about it, you’ll see opportunities everywhere.
📸 Photo Frames That Speak
That wedding photo on your wall? Add a QR code sticker to the back.Now, when your children or grandchildren scan it, they don’t just see the image—they hear you tell the story of that day. Maybe even watch a short video clip from the reception.A single photo becomes a living memory.
Sorry, this Artifct is private! But it definitely has a QR code sticker attached to the back of the frame.
💍 Jewelry with a Voice
A ring isn’t just beautiful—it has a past.Was it your mother’s? Does it now have a special meaning to you?Attach a sticker to the jewelry box, and suddenly that piece carries its full story. Imagine hearing your mother explain where it came from, who owned it before her, and why it mattered.That’s legacy—preserved in her own voice.
🧁 Recipes That Come to Life
Yes, you can save Grandma’s famous biscuit recipe. But with Artifcts, you can do so much more. Attach a QR code sticker to the recipe card or cookbook. Now, when it’s scanned:
You hear her voice explaining why she never measures the flour exactly
You see a video of her hands gently folding the dough
You catch the little tips that never made it onto paper
It’s no longer just a recipe—it’s an experience passed down through generations.
🎨 Collections, Keepsakes, and Everyday Treasures
From antiques to travel souvenirs, children’s artwork to military memorabilia—every item has a story waiting to be told.Artifcts QR code stickers make it easy to catalog, organize, and preserve those stories without interrupting your flow. You can move from room to room, scanning and storytelling as you go, building a meaningful, searchable collection of your life.
Ready to get started? Start small. Pick one object that matters to you. Tell its story. Add your voice. You might just discover that what you’re really preserving isn’t just your belongings…It’s your legacy.
Pro Tip: You can also print off your Artifcts QR codes at home and safely attach them to your keepsakes. No stickers required...
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Sorry, this Artifct is private! But it definitely has a QR code sticker attached to the back of the frame. 
