A line from a book or film that sends shivers down the spine. A lyric that captures the intensity of rage or the empty weight of sadness. A message received at just the right moment. Words can become tiny treasures – reminders that someone, somewhere, gets it.
The other day, I found my daughter curled up on her bed surrounded by scraps of paper, glue, highlighters and a battered old notebook. She was cutting out quotes from magazines, scribbling lyrics and sticking in a gig ticket. There were to-do lists next to bits of poetry, random doodles and deep thoughts all jumbled together.
We flicked through the pages together – skipping some of the more personal ones. She explained the significance of each scrap and entry, and why they mattered to her. Certain lines reminded her of friends. Others transported her back to good times or had helped her through a rough patch. Some just sounded cool.
All of them said something about who she was, who she is now or who she wants to be.
Watching her, I remembered the box I keep under my own bed – full of old letters, birthday cards, notebooks and quotes I’ve scribbled down over the years. Words on scraps of paper are nestled between the pages of books or live in a notes app. A few linger in my memory, ready to surface when needed. But why do words matter so much?
Why we hold on to certain words
You know that feeling when you read a line, hear a lyric or see a quote and your whole body goes: ‘Yes. That!’?
This is because some words seem to reach right in and touch our souls. Psychologists have a name for it – emotional salience – which just means that your brain pays extra attention to things that match what you’re already feeling or thinking.
So, when you’re going through a hard time and someone says, ‘You’ve got this,’ it doesn’t just sound nice, it lands. It connects. You remember it.
And sometimes it’s not even fancy or deep. I have a postcard from a friend stuck above my desk that just says: ‘Keep on truckin’ x.’
It makes me smile, and it reminds me that I’ve made it through tough stuff before, and I can again.
Collecting words can be a kind of self-care
Paying attention to the words that move you, and saving them, can be a mindful, calming thing to do. It’s like giving yourself little boosts of clarity, connection or comfort.
The best part is you can find meaningful words anywhere: a quote on TikTok, a lyric you overhear on the bus or something someone says in passing that just sticks with you. Try slowing down and noticing what stands out. You might want to try:
- A quote of the day. Write down one word, line or thought that stood out each day.
- Quote swap with a friend. Share your faves with each other once a week.
- A ‘Words that make me feel something’ jar. Write them on slips of paper and pick one out when you need a lift.
- Screenshot or Notes dump. Keep a ‘Quotes’ album on your phone.
- Bullet journal section or mood board. Add doodles or decorate with washi tape, paper scraps or fabric.
The words that find you might be the ones you need
As I finish writing this, my daughter’s now downstairs on the sofa, still surrounded by her creative mess. This time, she’s stitching the names of her favourite bands onto her jeans, subtle markers of identity. Each stitch a quiet thread of connection, a way of saying: ‘This is who I am.’
Maybe you’ve already got a quote or lyric that means a lot to you. Or maybe you’ll start noticing more from now on. Trust that the right words tend to show up when you need them most. Because collecting words isn’t just about remembering stuff; it’s about feeling seen, understood and connected. One line at a time.
Ways to keep and curate your words
There’s no right way to do this – just whatever feels good or fun. Don’t get hung up on making it perfect. Messiness is half the charm. Here are a few ideas:
The old-school journal
There’s something special about writing things down by hand. You can scribble, doodle, mess up, colour in, cross out. It’s real. It’s yours. And reading it back later can be like flipping through a scrapbook of your thoughts and feelings.
Digital collections
If you’re more into tech than paper, try:
- A notes folder for quotes.
- A private Pinterest board.
- IG highlights or saves.
- A Canva collage with your favourite lyrics.
There are even apps that send daily motivational quotes to your phone, like a mini pep talk.
Memory jars and pinboards
Keep physical words too — tickets from concerts, notes from friends, even cute messages from your group chat. Stick them on your mirror or stash them in a special jar. These little objects can bring back big emotions.
Get creative
- Embroider a quote onto a shirt, bag or patch.
- Paint a lyric on a rock and leave it somewhere for someone else to find.
- Turn your favourite quote into a piece of wall art.
How to use your word collection
Once you’ve started gathering quotes, don’t forget to revisit them. Use them when you need a reminder of who you are or how far you’ve come. You could:
- Pull a saved quote at random from a jar when you’re feeling off or overwhelmed.
- Start your journal entry with a favourite quote.
- Create themed collections, such as:
1. Autumn vibes
2. Hype-yourself-up playlist quotes
3. Funny things my friends have said
4. Empowering lines for a bad day