The Benefits of Writing Your Life Story

At end-of-life or, even better, right now.

As a former newspaper columnist and current death doula, I often get asked to write life stories. The first thing I do is schedule 2-3 interviews. Those discussions result in a traditional biography, or they’re the foundation for ethical wills, legacy letters, and so much more.

Sometimes I hear from people who aren’t anywhere near getting ready to die. Nevertheless, they want their biography written ahead of time for their loved ones to read “someday.”

Other times, I hear from people who are dealing with a terminal diagnosis. They need their story to be a legacy project sooner rather than later.

Either way, there are real and tangible benefits to writing your life story.

8 Reasons to Get Started Now

Let’s get into some of the benefits of writing your life story or hiring a professional to do it.

1. Mood Boosting

A study conducted by palliative care expert Harvey Chochinov showed something amazing. Just a few 30-to-60-minute interviews about a person’s life significantly reduced both suffer…