Write your Story
Why I write…
When my father died at a relatively early age from a brain tumor, I remember standing at his grave wanting to hear more about the stories I had only heard snippets about.
There was his work in the Philippians during WWII, how he met my mother, why he never became a farmer which seemed to be a passion.
Or the story of how and why he and a group of friends offloaded a privy on the steps of a rival school..a story I learned from others years later.
I never did ask about these stories and I know my father felt they were just ordinary tales that I wouldn’t care about.
How wrong he was!
Your life story is the same.
You might think, “Who wants to hear about my everyday experiences?”
The truth is, your journey contains wisdom, history, and meaning that belongs uniquely to you.
Your perspective on life is a gift that will leave this world a better place!
Why Your Story Matters
Remember when your grandchild asked what life was like “in the olden days?”
Their eyes widened when you described rotary phones or playing outside until the streetlights came on.
These seemingly simple memories provide something precious—context for how the world has changed.
I have a friend who wrote down his experiences as a mailman for 40 years.
“Just boring routes,” he called them.
But his grandchildren were fascinated by his stories about the families on his route, how neighborhoods changed, and the dogs he befriended along the way.
What Tom saw as routine, they saw as a window into a different time.
Your stories matter because:
- You witnessed history firsthand
- Your life experiences shaped your wisdom
- Family stories give younger generations roots and identity
- Your unique voice adds to the human story
Getting Past “Who Would Want to Read This?”
A common reaction I get in a workshop I teach is: “My life hasn’t been exciting enough to write about.”
This reminds me of Ron, who insisted he had “nothing interesting to say.”
Then one day, he reluctantly shared a story about helping his father repair bikes in their garage.
The room fell silent as he described the smell of oil, the feel of greasy tools, and the pride when they fixed a neighborhood child’s bicycle.
That “ordinary” memory revealed so much about family relationships, community, and values.
What stops many of us from writing our stories? I can’t speak for you, but these are my roadblocks:
- Thinking my experiences aren’t special enough
- Worrying about perfect grammar or spelling
- Feeling overwhelmed by where to begin
- Fearing that memories might be painful to revisit
These concerns are normal, but they shouldn’t keep our stories locked away. Perfect writing isn’t the goal—sharing our truth is.
Simple Ways to Start Your Story Today
When I was helping my friend start writing, she kept saying, “I don’t know how to begin.”
So we tried something simple—I asked her to describe her childhood kitchen.
Her eyes lit up as she recalled the worn linoleum floor, her mother’s apron hanging by the stove, and the radio that played during dinner.
That single memory opened a floodgate of stories.
Here are some easy ways that helped me begin: Start small. Write about one memory for just 10 minutes.
It could be your first job, a favorite holiday, or a family tradition. Don’t worry about getting it perfect.
Use your senses. What did things smell like? Sound like? Taste like?
When my sister described making bread with our grandmother, she included the feel of the dough and the warmth of the kitchen.
These details bring memories to life.
Keep it comfortable. Some people like writing in notebooks, others prefer typing on a computer. I use both.
My friend Patty records herself speaking, then writes it down later. (I tried to tell her that there is an app for that. She preferred typing!) Choose what works for you.
Try a prompt. Finish this sentence: “I’ll never forget the day when…” or “The most important lesson I learned was…”
Skip around. You don’t have to write your life in order. I start with whatever memory feels most alive to me today.
How Writing Heals the Heart
Sarah, a quiet woman in a writing group I was in once, shared a story about losing her childhood home in a flood.
As she read it aloud, tears streamed down her face. “I’ve carried that sadness for sixty years,” she said afterward.
“Somehow, writing it down has lightened the load.”
Writing our stories helps us make sense of our lives. It connects the dots between experiences, and lets us see patterns we might have missed.
Sharing these stories creates bridges between generations.
My grandchildren never met their great-grandfather, and I mourn the loss of being able to share any of his stories.
This one sorrow has led me to write letters every Christmas to my sons and my granddaughters.
I share simple stories and basic values. I put my love for them in writing.
Your Legacy in Words
Each time we write a memory, we’re leaving a gift. It might be a lesson learned, a value held dear, or simply a moment that mattered.
Remember: the story we tell doesn’t need drama to be meaningful.
The everyday moments—Sunday dinners, work routines, neighborhood friends—these are what create the rich tapestry of a life well-lived.
I know a woman who started writing at 85 with just one story about picking berries as a child.
Three years later, she has filled several notebooks. “I never thought I could do this,” she told me recently.
“Now I can’t imagine not doing it.”
Your voice matters.
Your experiences have value.
And your story is one that nobody else can tell.
Why not start today? Just one memory, one moment, one story at a time. The people who love you will be forever grateful that you did.
If you want to try something just for fun, go to 750words.com and give it a try! I start my day writing 750 words and it really works!!
TheReflectivePen is always full of stories. Don’t miss any!
