Mental Palace: Creative Examples

How do we choose the shape of a memory palace?

The kind and the shape of memory palaces is dictated my many factors. More often than not, we will use a familiar space: a childhood home, or a friend’s office. We do not have to. Personally, I prefer using spaces from video games, as they are cleaner and better organized. But there are other options. If you are tired  of the same boring spaces and want something different, here are some additional options we selected for you.

1. Historical Museum:

Location: A grand historical museum you frequently visit, with multiple floors and distinct exhibit halls.

Loci (Specific Locations):

• Grand Foyer:Marble staircase, towering columns, and a giant globe in the center.
• Ancient Egypt Exhibit:Pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics covering the walls.
• Medieval Europe Exhibit:Suits of armor, stained glass windows, and a replica of a village square.
• Renaissance Art Gallery:Famous paintings, sculptures, and an ornate ceiling mural.
• Natural History Hall:Dinosaur skeletons, interactive exhibits on ecosystems, and a large stuffed elephant.

Example Usage: Memorizing a Speech:

• Opening Line:Imagine yourself standing at the top of the grand staircase, confidently delivering the opening line with the globe as your backdrop.
• Main Points:Place each key point in a specific exhibit hall, associating it with its relevant theme. For example, place a point about economic development in the Medieval Europe exhibit near the bustling village scene.
• Supporting Details:Use specific artifacts or displays within each exhibit hall to represent supporting details for each main point. For instance, use the hieroglyphics in the Ancient Egypt exhibit to represent statistics or historical figures.
• Conclusion:Picture yourself back at the grand foyer, delivering the concluding statement with the same confidence and clarity as the opening.

2. Familiar City Street:

Location: A well-known street in your city, with various landmarks and shops you pass by regularly.

Loci (Specific Locations):

• Corner Bakery:Familiar scent of fresh bread, bustling cafe tables, and the iconic red awning.
• Independent Bookstore:Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, comfortable reading nooks, and a friendly bookseller behind the counter.
• Public Park:Lush greenery, a tranquil fountain, and children playing on the swings.
• Landmark Statue:A historical figure standing tall on a pedestal, surrounded by pigeons.
• Local Coffee Shop:Your favorite barista greeting you by name, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the sound of the espresso machine.

Example Usage: Memorizing a Presentation:

• Introduction:Picture yourself walking past the corner bakery, introducing yourself and the presentation topic with a welcoming smile.
• Slides:Each slide can be visualized as a specific shop window or storefront along the street. Decorate the windows with images or keywords representing the content of each slide.
• Transitions:Imagine yourself seamlessly transitioning between slides as you walk from one location to the next on the street.
• Conclusion:Picture yourself ending the presentation at the local coffee shop, thanking the audience and emphasizing the key takeaways with the barista serving as a symbolic witness.

3. Personal Workspace:

Location: Your actual professional workspace, focusing on specific elements and areas within it.

Loci (Specific Locations):

• Desk:Your organized workspace with your computer, notebooks, and favorite pen.
• Whiteboard:Filled with notes, diagrams, and mind maps relevant to your current project.
• Bookshelf:Organized by topic, with specific books containing key reference materials.
• Window:Offering a view of the cityscape or natural landscape, providing a mental break.
• Plant on your desk:A small cactus or succulent, a symbol of focus and perseverance.

Example Usage: Brainstorming and Problem-Solving:

• Identify the Problem:Picture yourself sitting at your desk, clearly visualizing the problem you need to solve. Use the pen on your desk to symbolically write down the challenge.
• Generate Ideas:Imagine ideas and solutions popping up on the whiteboard, like clouds forming in the sky. Analyze and refine each idea critically.
• Research and Analysis:Picture yourself consulting specific books on the bookshelf for relevant information and data.
• Develop a Plan:Mentally sketch out your plan of action on the whiteboard, using arrows and connections to represent the steps involved.
• Evaluate and Refine:Take a moment to look out the window, clear your head, and then return to your desk to assess and refine the plan as needed.