Sharing stories can enhance mental well-being

My new online project launched in December, and is taking on a life of it’s own.

It started out as a website (www.ruralwomenstories.com) for women to post short stories about their lives.

I am finding many women don’t believe their life is worthy of writing about, they don’t trust their writing skills, and posting on a website is stressful.

If I don’t go to women, I get no stories.

The good news, I get to visit with women in their homes, or at a coffee shop, and record rich stories using their own words. It is SO fun, and I am continually surprised at the diversity and uniqueness of each story.

I have always seen the world in stories. A story helps me remember and stay connected to my roots. They help make sense of the world.

My dissertation data was pulled from stories, and “My Clients…My Teachers” is a book of clients’ stories.

My new project, “Rural Women’s Stories,” continues my love of personal experiences held within stories.

There are approximately 18 stories posted on my site. All the stories are entertaining, interesting, and validate the unique importance of each life.

Check them out.

Where the story project will go from here, I don’t know. I do know I am going to continue “getting” stories and posting them with pictures. I’m having too much fun.

I need to give up hope of women WANTING a website to post their stories. They don’t.

So, plan two: I will continue having a great time meeting women who are willing to sit and visit and share one or more stories.

If my project sparks women to write their stories and put them on my website, in a three ring binder, a file folder, or a desk drawer, it has been a good effort. Our mental health is enhanced if we care enough about our memories to record them for family and history.

Goals change everyday, and usually the flow of the universe is a positive mandate for what we need to be doing. So, I will write women’s stories and post them online for you to enjoy. Call me at 970-520-4147 – I want YOUR story too.

How do you adjust your goals?

Until the next time: Live while you live!

(Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of My Clients…My Teachers, and the blogger and encourager of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.)

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