Who will tell your story when you’re gone? Over the years I’ve gained a keen awareness that when a loved one passes, they take their stories and family history with them. If telling your story isn’t on your retirement to do list, read on to find out why it should be…and how to get started.
Your story is your legacy
What comes to mind when you hear the word legacy? Most people immediately think about passing on their possessions and financial assets. But your legacy is about so much more than handing over your wealth.
Over your lifetime, you’ve built a different kind of wealth—the wisdom accumulated through a lifetime of experiences. Telling your story lets you capture that wisdom and preserve it for future generations.
November is National Life Writing Month and Family Stories Month. What a terrific opportunity to reflect on our personal stories and start to capture our memories.
Telling my story
My dad passed away over 20 years ago and there are many things I wish I knew about him. Dad was a keen storyteller but, when I was younger, I didn’t always appreciate his stories. Looking back now, I wish I had paid closer attention and taken the time to capture more of those stories.
Last year, I went on a trip to Ireland with my mum and one of my sisters. Mum is 92, so that time together was precious. I loved hearing tales of mum’s life growing up in Ireland. That trip, combined with the regret of not asking my dad more questions when I could, has fuelled my desire to capture my story for my two daughters.
This year, I’ve spent a lot of time reminiscing and writing. It has been a fun trip down memory lane. I know my daughters will appreciate the output of that work for years to come. Equally important, though, is the clarity I’ve gained from reflecting on my life experiences. That clarity will serve me well for the rest of my life.
You are anything but ordinary
“Your life story, no matter how ordinary it may seem, has the power to inspire, comfort, and bridge generations. Reflecting on your journey honors the past and helps shape a hopeful future.”
Angela Lifsey, The Next Chapter is Yours
Often, people shy away from sharing their story because they think their life is too ordinary or not of interest to anyone else.
Many years ago, I had a thought-provoking conversation with a limo driver who drove me home from the airport after a business trip. When he mentioned meeting a well-known local resident, I commented that he must have met many fascinating people in his line of work. He replied that you don’t have to be a celebrity to be interesting and that he enjoyed our chat as much as any conversation he’d had.
Every individual has a wealth of unique experiences that have made them who they are. Even shared experiences become unique when we each view them through our own lens.
There is no one else on Earth with the same life experience as you. Who better to tell your story?
Getting started with telling your story
As with most projects, getting started with telling your story may be the hardest part. But you can get started in three easy steps. First, decide how you will share. Then, think about what you want to share. Finally, look into resources to help you.
Let’s dive in…
Decide how you want to share your story
You don’t have to be a Pulitzer Prize winning novelist to capture your story. Here are three different methods to consider.
- The most obvious choice for telling your story is to write it down. It doesn’t matter if you write in a notebook or at a computer keyboard, focus on capturing the content. You can always finesse it later.
- If writing isn’t your thing, use your smartphone to record your story on audio or video.
- Sort through your old photos and document your story in a photobook or scrapbook. A picture truly is worth a thousand words and there’s nothing like old photos to spark memories.
Use prompts to get you going
Now that you’ve decided how you’ll share your story, you can turn your attention to what you want to share.
Before starting to write my story, I brainstormed a list of things to write about. Here are a few prompts to get you started. You could write about…
- The house you grew up in
- The street you lived on as a child
- Your family history—parents, grandparents, other influential people in your life
- Your values and why they matter to you
- Childhood dreams
- Favourite hobbies—then and now
- Best subjects in school
- Teenage and childhood friends
- Your career dreams when you were growing up
- How you ended up in the job or career you have
- Summer vacation memories
- First car
- First boyfriend/girlfriend
- Favourite foods and recipes
- Experiences that shaped your life
Once you start to write, you’ll find inspiration all around. Start a notebook, or a memory jar or box. When a memory comes to you, make a quick note of it so you’ll remember to capture it later.
Attend a workshop
If the idea of doing this on your own still feels intimidating, consider attending a life writing workshop.
The Next Chapter is Yours, the most recent book from the Retirement Coaches Association featured a chapter called “Everyone Has a Story: A Guided Writing Process That Transforms You And Others” written by Angela Lifsey of Purpose Transitions.
Angela is a Guided Autobiography Facilitator who offers a virtual Life Story Writing Workshop. In her chapter, she introduces the concept of story sparking and offers prompts for a 5-day story sparking challenge.
“The purpose of Story Sparking is to provide a more relaxed and open-ended approach to storytelling, allowing you to explore your life story in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.”
Angela Lifsey, The Next Chapter is Yours
Visit the Purpose Transitions website for information on Angela’s virtual workshops.
Your story will be an enduring gift for your loved ones. No matter which medium you choose, or what you choose to share, the most important thing is to set aside time to do it. Put telling your story on your retirement to do list today.
If you’re thinking about retiring, contact me to get started on building your a retirement filled with meaning and purpose.
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