< Return Home The benefits of life story writing Guidance. Family perspective. Insight. Hope. Meaning. Friendship. These are just some of the benefits of undertaking a life story at our in-person workshops or live online group setting. Dr. James Birren discovered a wealth of benefits to be reaped by individuals and organizations participating in guided autobiography (life story work). He are some of his amazing insights:

Benefits for Individuals An autobiography to give to family and friends. The principle motive for people who take guided autobiography courses is usually to write their autobiography to give to their family and friends. In addition to this tangible benefit, guided autobiography offers important indirect benefits to individuals. Some of these benefits are similar to the benefits of therapy, but since it is not centered on personal problem-solving, guided autobiography is not therapy. New insights and life changes Like having a cup of coffee or tea and a nice conversation with a colleague or friend that leads to new insights and life changes, guided autobiography can be therapeutic without being regarded as therapy. The indirect benefits of sharing your life story in a group include increasing your self knowledge through telling your story, as well as listening to the stories of others. Increased awareness and appreciation Daily life tends to focus on the here and the now, the issues of the day, whereas guided autobiography leads one on paths through vast stores of memories, usually leading to an increased awareness and appreciation of having lived through so much. The group experience is very important for stimulating people’s memories. One of the surprising findings was that some of the largest changes subjects made was in their view of other people. These results suggest that if you participate in a group that shares life stories, your concept of other people becomes more like your view of yourself. When you change your views of others to become more like your view of yourself, you find other people more acceptable and more comfortable to be with. Identifying with other people in this way results in attachments and friendships among group members. indications of such bonds are seen in the desitre of life story workshop participants to continue meeting, scheduling reunions to write and talk about new themes. The group process of sharing life stories results in the formation of strong new friendships.

Benefits for Organizations