Some things I am not sure about so I prefix them with a question mark. If I'm not sure about the spelling of the word itself then I start the word with a question mark.

If I was with the thing itself in the experience that a memory is referring to then there are no reference marks as prefixes (the symbol I chose may not have been the best choice), but if the thing was mentioned etc. then I put however many reference marks as a prefix to express how many jumps I was away from the thing referenced.

So there are groups of things that act as a placeholder.

When I am reviewing, sometimes I can quickly look at the placeholder and jump to a memory that is even 'fainter', and sometimes see what I think is the reason why the thought re-emerged in the first place (usually what seems to be residual curiosity).

Sometimes it prompts me to quickly search for a name so I can see what the person looks/looked like etc. That way, labels that keep resurfacing become more than just empty placeholders; they become contextualized. It's basically just declaring curiosity, and I can just leave it as a placeholder if I don't care to explore it any further at the time.

I also find it good at exploring situations I feel embarrassed or awkward about. When I write, I cut out any grammar, emotions, concern for style or correct wording, and just focus on what things I have associated with them, so that I can do more to 'see' a situation as it was, regardless of how I felt/feel about it. I think that has helped me a lot in accepting how things are.