Is there a right age or time to write your life story?

…or have someone write it for you?

The right time to write your life story is ‘always’. A life deserves to be captured in all its stages of development, maturation, triumph and tribulation.  It makes sense to reflect on life in a continuous way, if you have the time and inclination. It is from this perspective that I challenge the often held belief the only people in the ‘dusk era’ of their lives have a reason to document their story.

Life story writing is not only for people in retirement or wanting to tell their tales as a legacy for grandchildren (although it is entirely appropriate!)  Although this is a wonderful time to capture a ‘whole’ life, the truth is, there are many stories that are worthy of writing to mark the passage of time that happen much earlier in life. What was it like to become a parent? Did you take amazing adventures overseas on a gap year? What did your empty nest phase feel like? What were the highlights of your working life or family business? These all lead to the question… Why wait?

I have been fortunate to have written life stories for people from a wide range of ages in the life span – the youngest just under 25yers of age, the most mature living a wonderful life at age 95 – and every age in between warrants our precious eye.

We are living our stories every day, so it makes sense to capture them as we live. Think of it as a gathering of the threads as you weave a tapestry. And the truth is sometimes we live a significant achievement of change or drama and writing about it with proximity can be part of a healing and transitional journey.

You might think about capturing your story in words each decade on a birthday that ends in zero.  Perhaps it is the birth of a child, or an overcome challenge that triggers our impulse to write. Often we do so knowing our story can help others. Sharing our lives is an act of consideration and comfort.

Let’s see our lives as a series of movements just like a beautiful piece of music. There are rises and falls, beginnings and ending happening over and over again. Capturing each verse makes sense.

Here’s a reflection to ponder. How long have you been contemplating bringing your story to the page. If you haven’t made a start yet the truth is, the clearest way forward is to engage someone else to write it for you. This brings new perspective, writing skills (you may not have honed yet) and momentum to the project that is sustainable. Think about it as an opportunity cost. Your story can be crafted for you, while you focus on living your wonderful life (and creating another chapter).

I love writing. I love interviewing and sharing drafts. I love sifting through documents and researching times and places.  If you’re ready to capture your story, reach out and we can get started.

Email Lindy@lindyschneider.com.au