Make a Timeline of Your Life Events

One way to organize the life events before you start writing is to make a timeline.

Divide the timeline into sections, perhaps every 5 or ten years. In each section list the events that stand out as highlights that changed your life.

Later when you tell or write your life story you can launch into anecdotes about these events, the people involved, and the details of the circumstances. Remember, the historical data of each era adds background.

A tale about Christmas during the early 1960's might involve receiving a hula hoop or a pogo stick as a child for a gift. In the 1970's maybe you gave someone a "liesure suit." Gifts in the late 1990's might include electronics and computers.

As you tell your story you'll move through history. Everyone has a wealth of historical data in their memoirs. Your life story is especially important from this standpoint. It's a part of history!

Major Life Changing Events - An Important Part of Your Life Story

The direction of your life is often changed dramatically by major events.

A move to a new place and home, an award for an achievement, the death of a loved one, someone new coming into your life or any number of events can turn life upside down. When the pieces of life are broken up and rearranged it's like a new chapter, or even a new book about your life story.

We can learn from these major life events. There are experiences of trial and error. Adaptations that we make to adjust to new lives are all part of the life story. Telling a life story can involve the following questions.

1- Which events changed you the most?

2- Did you learn something new?

3- Is there some wisdom you would like to share in your life story that has made a difference?