“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson
Because we see ourselves every day, small changes such as weight loss or aging can seem insignificant and even go unnoticed. For example, I am sure many of us look back at old photos and see those slight changes in our facial features, body shape and hair styles that we never once noticed along the way. Of course we have grown and evolved from where we were years ago, but without the photographs and other memories to remind us, we can forget the small evolutions and life can feel stagnant.
Writing an autobiography is a unique experience that gives us a third party view of our evolution over the years and how we can get to where we want to be. It provides a better understanding of just how connected our past, present and future can be.
Past: This is an insightful activity for anyone, but for women with mental illness, this can dig deep into the root of anxieties, depression, stress and fear. Through revisiting our life moments, how we felt and the changes that resulted, we are able to acknowledge the influence these situations had on our long-term decisions, feelings and mental health.
Present: Writing an autobiography can also help you prepare for a successful future. If you aren’t satisfied with the direction your story is going, it can spark change in your life and encourage you to establish positive goals and dreams that give life meaning and boost self-value.
Future: Each day of our life is a new page in our book and when we have emotional and mental stability, we are able to direct the story that is being told.
