Storytelling as a Practice

Stories, are found in every culture and often have elements in common. We use stories to make sense of our experiences (Harold Rosen 1986). This works, because we start out with chaos, and we create stories to put this chaos into a more familiar, digestible appearance. Stories provide an opportunity for reflection in the process of create structure for our experiences (Bruner 1988). This is particularly important in the experience of illness, because someone undergoing an illness finds him or herself in a new role, and therefore must learn to think differently. This learning process can occur through storytelling. ^* “The primary human mechanism for attaching meaning to particular experiences is to tell stories about them.”^* So to create meaning, we can tell stories through either speaking, reading, or writing. Whichever approach you prefer is absolutely fine. However, writing about your life has been shown to have a greater impact on meaning-making by contextualizing experience. Any of the following approaches to narrative meaning-making can be adapted or combined. These practices are inspired by ideas from narrative medicine ^* and narrative therapy, ^* ^* which focus on how individual and shared experiences shape identity, empathy, and relationships, all of which are crucial aspects of understanding the meaning in one’s life.

There is no “wrong” way to create a story. Though one may be able to combat a sense of meaninglessness and better confront reality through creating a story, the act of storytelling itself is positive and meaningful in and of itself.

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Patients

Think of an important moment in your life. Write a story about it, from your perspective or someone else’s (even someone fictional).
When you have written a story, go back and read it. Try to find symbols along the way. Why does that symbol reoccur?
Stories are an opportunity not only to understand the meaning of your life, but to share that with others. Share your story with someone, either written or aloud.
Have a family member, friend, or other member of your community record you sharing a story you’ve written or thought of.
Reread your favorite piece of literature (of any format). Why does this work impact you? What application does it have to your life? To the lives of your community members?
Rewrite the ending to a piece of literature. How would you change it? Why?
Get recommendations from members of your community for books to read. As you read, try to think of the meaning behind moments, dialogue, metaphors, symbols, and so on. How does this impact you?

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Caregivers

Listen to your loved one’s story and look for recurring symbols. Why do you think these are important?
Think of an important moment in your life. Write a story about it, from your perspective or someone else’s (even someone fictional).
Write a story about your loved one. It can be from your perspective or someone else’s. What symbols do you see?
Reread your favorite piece of literature (of any format). Why does this work impact you? What application does it have to your life? To the life of your loved one?
Rewrite the ending to a piece of literature. How would you change it? Why?
Get recommendations from members of your community for books to read. As you read, try to think of the meaning behind moments, dialogue, metaphors, symbols, and so on. How does this impact you?

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Community

Listen to your loved one’s story and look for recurring symbols. Why do you think these are important?
Think of an important moment in your life. Write a story about it, from your perspective or someone else’s (even someone fictional).
Write a story about your loved one. It can be from your perspective or someone else’s. What symbols do you see?
Reread your favorite piece of literature (of any format). Why does this work impact you? What application does it have to your life? To the life of your loved one?
Rewrite the ending to a piece of literature. How would you change it? Why?
Write (and share, if you’d like) stories of experiences with your loved one with them. How has this relationship impacted your life? Try to look for symbolism in the stories you write.

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Healthcare Team

Ask your patient to share a story with you. While you listen, look for recurring symbols. Why do you think these are important? Encourage your patient to share why these may be important to them.
Think of an important moment in your life. Write a story about it, from your perspective or someone else’s (even someone fictional).
Write a story from a patient’s perspective. Try to focus on the emotions and experiences they go through at the end of life or in any difficult time. How have other moments in your life felt similar to this?
Reread your favorite piece of literature (of any format). Why does this work impact you? What application does it have to your life? To the life of your loved one?
Rewrite the ending to a piece of literature. How would you change it? Why?

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