Life in 20 Frames
Everyone has a story. What’s yours in 20 frames?Tell your story, one word at a time, in this 5×4 Word Grid.
Inspired by the PechaKucha 20×20 format, Life in 20 Frames invites you to map a personal journey using just 20 words. Each word is a moment.
Each row, a chapter.
Together, they form a quiet portrait of change, creativity, healing, or self-discovery.
(Prinable 5x4 Word Grid Postcard)
Start by giving your grid a title.
Think of it like naming a short story, a poem, or a feeling. It could be literal (“My Cancer Journey”), poetic (“This Is How Clarity Finds Me”), or funny (“Oops, That Year Got Weird”). Your title helps anchor your story for you, and anyone who reads it.Use the Rows Like a Story Arc
There’s no wrong way to fill it in. But if you want a little structure, think of the rows like a story arc.Row 1: The Beginning
Where it started — a moment, a version of you, or a spark of something new.
Row 2: The Tension
The questions, struggles, or shifts. The uncomfortable middle.
Row 3: The Turning Point
Insight, surrender, action — when something clicked, moved, or changed.
Row 4: The Growth
What you carry forward. A new truth. A softened edge. A little more light.
FAQ – Life in 20 Frames
AKA: Things People Always Ask When Faced with 20 Empty BoxesQ: I’m supposed to tell a whole story in just 20 words?
A: Yep. One word per box. Think of them like emotional snapshots. It’s not a novel, it’s a story skeleton.
Q: Do I have to include a title?
A: You don’t have to, but it really helps. A title gives your story focus and makes it easier to share. It can be literal or poetic, whatever feels right.
Q: What kind of story should I tell?
A: Any kind. A season of change. A creative process. A memory. A heartbreak. A hope. A self-portrait.
Q: Is there a right way to do this?
A: Nope. You can follow the suggested row arc, or completely ignore it. The only rule: make it true.
Q: Can I use phrases instead of single words?
A: We recommend sticking to one word per box. The creative magic is in the constraint.
Q: Do I have to share it?
A: No, but we’d love to see your final word. Post it using #LifeIn20Frames or tag @pechakuchavan.
Q: Can I do more than one?
A: Absolutely. One for now, one for five years ago, one for your creative process… they make great gifts, too.
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We recognize that our events are produced on the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.