Research from the field of narrative psychology shows a link between narratives and well-being. Exploring personal stories, reflecting on them, changing these narratives, and sharing them might make us vulnerable, but also helps us heal and grow.
Barbara Field, medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD, “How Storytelling is Good for Your Mental Health,” at https://www.verywellmind.com/how-storytelling-is-good-for-your-mental-health-5199744?print (November 17, 2021)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve found comfort and relief in writing and drawing. I’m grateful for the mentors who helped me to capture my experience on paper: my mom with her attention to detail, my dad with his sense of humor, my high school English teacher with his dare to dig deeper, the judge I clerked for with his eloquence, and my years in Al-Anon with their call to faith.
Writing and drawing have helped me through all sorts of challenges: a year teaching in China, at-home parenting three kids, losing my dad when they were young, caring for my mom later when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was after my dad died that I wrote and illustrated The Douglas the Rabbit Adventure Series; it was while caring for mom that I started to blog at thejoyofcaring.com. Later I turned that blog into a book, Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story, which helped me process long-held grief, while also passing along what I’d learned.
Along the way, I’ve helped others tell their stories too. As Mom’s memories dwindled, I made a photo book she looked at daily. I was grateful she’d kept detailed scrapbooks and memoirs to help me do so. When she began to forget people, I made another book, this one featuring photos and messages from her grandkids. It gave her hours of enjoyment, a resource for family visits, and another perspective on her life story.
During the pandemic, when Rock Steady Boxing for people with Parkinson’s Disease went remote, my role as coach evolved into co-editing a newsletter which shared athlete interviews. Before long, I found myself helping new friends write and record their stories too.
Terry writes in a clear, simple narrative form – no judgement, no cover up. I keep my life story on my computer desktop…only a click away. I read it often…I shake my head at my admission that “I had not one ounce of maternal instinct”and then took on 4 step-children.
Susan A, 74, ROCK STEADY BOXER
Recently, I wrote and illustrated another children’s book, A Seal Named Sunshine, which captured the experience of discovering a stranded gray seal pup and witnessing her rehabilitation and release by Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME). I was grateful to pass on what I’d learned about MMoME’s good work. Today, as I acclimate to life in an empty nest, I’m excited to get back to my desk and see what’s next.
I enjoy how story-telling provides opportunities to reflect, connect, heal, and have fun. In this spirit, I am eager to offer my books here.