Do you feel bouts of inspiration to tell your story, but get stuck in the details? Do you love to write, but fear sharing it?
I've recently been studying a book that is newly required reading material for first-year medical students at Harvard written by Annie Brewster, MD and Rachel Zimmerman. Both of these highly educated women have combined their firsthand experiences with their knowledge to bring to light the power of storytelling on our mental health.
My main takeaway is this:
Our stories are not about what happens to us, but more about what we do with that experience and information.
Brewster explains that the way in which we tell our stories can either positively or negatively impact our views of ourselves, our situations, the world around us, and most importantly, our mental health.
"Certain narrative themes - most notably agency, communion, redemption, coherence and accommodative processing - are clearly linked to positive mental health." -Annie Brewster, MD
1. Agency
Agency in storytelling refers to the main character's degree of control over their own story and events. When we tell our stories with high agency, we empower ourselves and our readers to view self as an authority figure. Authors can add agency to their stories by acknowledging the strengths and wisdom gained from overcoming obstacles. Offer up a call to action for those who resonate with your story, or share your main takeaways to end on an empowering note.
2. Communion
A powerful story can create a sense of unity and shared experience between the storyteller, the characters, and the reader. When telling our own stories, it’s important to evaluate the relationships that are involved with this part of your story. What did you learn about relationships throughout this season? What about your relationship with self? Through the power of storytelling, people can learn about and relate to the experiences of others, even if they themselves have never experienced them.
3. Redemption
Redemption depicts a character's journey from rock bottom to ‘phoenix rising’. It involves the character acknowledging their past, taking responsibility, and integrating the lessons.
One of the most famous examples of redemption in literature is Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Need a refresher? Here’s the story- Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly and bitter man who is visited by three ghosts who show him the error of his ways. Scrooge then undergoes a transformation, becoming a kind and generous person who is beloved by all.
Redemption is a powerful theme because it resonates with readers on a deep level. It speaks to our belief that we can overcome hard times, and ‘everything happens for a reason’. Whether it's a story about a villain who becomes a hero, or a person who finds redemption through love or faith, the theme of redemption reminds us that no matter how far we may fall, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
4. Coherence
A coherent story has a clear, logical, and easy-to-follow narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end, where all the elements of the story fit together naturally. Try creating a timeline or outline when telling your own story so you have the full picture, noting important transitional phrases that link different parts of the story together. Coherence is about engagement and connection. Add the details to engage the readers senses and place them at the scene.
5. Accommodative Processing
Accommodative processing refers to the ability of the storyteller to adapt their communication style to the needs of their audience. When it comes to telling your own story for the sake of healing, the audience is you. When we experience a transformational experience, whether we label it good or bad, it changes our outlook on the world, how we make decisions, and sometimes what is important to us. When telling our story, Brewster says “we may need to revise the broader story we’ve been telling about our lives in order to render a new experience meaningful.” This requires a level of authenticity, and an acknowledgment of the hard parts of the story. We don't need to sugarcoat our stories for the sake of others, but rather tell it with an intention to promote healing in the end for all.
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Source: Brewster, Annie; Zimmerman, Rachel. The Healing Power of Storytelling, 2022. North Atlantic Books.
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