Start with your earliest memory and write through your life to the present. Pay close attention to unresolved experiences along the way - work through them and come to terms with what they meant, how they shaped you. Then sift through all that you know about yourself for clues to your life’s purpose and write yourself into the future. That’s life-writing. It’s life changing. Elders who life-write deeply appreciate the coherent story of their life. They cleanse from lifetime burdens, develop a renewed valuing of past and present relationships, and are more satisfied with the life they have lived. They arrive at a sense of integrity versus despair over the life lived and a readiness to accept life’s end.
Students who life-write, in one form or another, cope more successfully with life’s events and experience greater physical and psychological health in general. They organize their lives around personally meaningful goals, and in so doing, attend class more often, take greater initiative toward their academic work and goals, earn better grades, and improve in performance on standardized tests.
Adults who life-write tend to develop life products that reflect their internal sense of who they are. They experience renewed energy, vigor, and enthusiasm while at the same time becoming more relaxed and less stressed. Their mood and relationships improve and they more often feel content and at peace.
Across the lifespan and for individuals of all cultures, genders, and social class, life writing is an effective tool for clarifying life's meaning, fulfilling life's purpose, and for overall health and well-being.
The Life Writing Project is a not for profit organization through The Center for Transformation Action at Cornell University. We conduct life-writing workshops and train life-writing coaches who are interested in conducting life-writing workshops in communities where people can't afford them, such as urban and rural high schools, junior colleges, community centers, senior centers, churches, prisons, and in colleges and universities. Tax deductible donations can be made on our donations page.