What Life Lessons Do You Want to Leave Behind? Reflective Journal Prompts for Legacy Planning

Adair Maynard-reflecting on Uncle Burl Olaker's legacy with Aunt Noka.

When most people think of legacy planning, they immediately think of legal documents—wills, life insurance, and estate planning. However, your emotional legacy—your stories, memories, and values—is just as important, if not more, to your loved ones. This post encourages you to reflect on the moments, messages, and memories you wish to pass on.

Whether you're building a digital memorial, starting a memory journal, or exploring modern ways to honor your life, this is your interactive guide to preserving your legacy.

Sit back, put your feet up, and grab a warm mug of your favorite drink—let's dive into the journey of preserving your legacy.

Prompt:

"If your family opened a note from you 10 years after you passed, what would you want them to feel or remember?”

Start a handwritten note or open your phone and write the first few lines. These letters are often the most cherished parts of a loved one’s memory.

Want to share a piece of your legacy?

If you’ve ever written a heartfelt letter to a loved one—past, present, or future—drop a sentence from it in the comments below (anonymously is perfectly fine). Your words might bring comfort or inspiration to someone else walking their own path of remembrance.

Prompt:

“If you could capture one memory forever, what would it be?”

Think about a moment that deserves to be remembered: a laugh, a hug, a family dinner. Use your phone to record a short video memory or scan a photo.

You can even include it in a QR code digital memorial plaque later.

Digital memory preservation is a growing part of legacy planning—especially for families who want to stay connected across generations.

A legacy memory notebook can become a powerful heirloom. Fill it with your favorite family stories, holiday traditions, handwritten recipes, and words of wisdom.

Prompt:

“What advice or family tradition do you never want forgotten?”

Even a single page—jotted down today—can become a keepsake tomorrow.

Bonus Tip: Record voice memos to save your stories and upload them to a custom digital memorial site.

We’d love to hear from you:

What’s a family tradition that means the world to you—one you'd want to pass down for generations? Whether it’s a Sunday recipe, a holiday ritual, or a phrase your grandparents always said… share it in the comments below. Your story might inspire someone else’s legacy.

Prompt:

"What is one important lesson you've learned in life that you’d want to leave behind?"

Take a few quiet minutes to reflect and write it down. This could be the life lesson you leave behind—the one your loved ones return to when they need your guidance the most. In your own words, you’re creating something lasting, something they’ll carry with them forever.

What Legacy Will You Leave Behind?

You don’t have to wait until the end of life to think about your legacy. Start now—with one note, one video, or one memory. These emotional hand-offs help your family grieve, remember, and feel connected for years to come.

Whether you're planning a traditional ceremony or creating an interactive digital memorial, the most meaningful legacy is the one built with intention.