Why Write Your Life Story?

At the end of each workshop, the class completes a survey. Over the years, I have found it to be a great way to take a peek behind the eyes of the students. While the world around them changes as well as their lives, they come to one conclusion about why they write their stories:

1. It's surprisingly therapeutic for their health and wellness.

2. They begin writing their stories for others, but when it's all said and done, they discover that it's as much for themselves as anyone else.

In my research, I have found that there are usually four main reasons why people say they want to write their life story:

1. So their children and grandchildren will know about them more intimately.


2. So they can make sense of a loss such as divorce, adoption, death, separation, a home, church, etc. The list is endless. They often look for writing to become a journey and discovery that changes them.


3. So future generations will know what life was like in their day- - their life as a social history.


4. To share with others what they have learned from living.

What would be your reasons? Think about it!