momentswhen

Momentswhen is a neologism used to refer to the precise moments at which a person perceives a turning point in life, experience, or memory. The term is commonly employed in narrative theory, memory studies, and digital culture to describe moments that distinctly segment continuous experience into discrete, meaningful events.

Origin and usage: Momentswhen arose in contemporary discourse as a portmanteau of “moments” and “when.” It is not an entry in major dictionaries and is used mainly in informal writing, blogs, and social media. In academic contexts, it is described as a phenomenological or narrative construct rather than a standardized technical term.

Applications: In storytelling and memoir writing, momentswhen helps structure life histories around pivotal realizations or decisions. In psychology and cognitive science, the concept is used to discuss how people identify turning points in memory and how such points influence subsequent behavior, mood, and motivation. On social platforms, users may employ the term or the related hashtag momentswhen to tag posts that depict turning points or meaningful realizations.

Examples: A person might describe a momentswhen as the moment they chose a new career path after a life-changing conversation. A writer might frame a pivotal trip as a momentswhen that altered their worldview.

Relation to memory and identity: The concept overlaps with episodic memory, flashbulb memory, and narrative identity, highlighting how turning points contribute to how individuals recall their past and imagine their future.

See also: turning point, memory, narrative identity, episodic memory.