Write it!

January 5, 2025 Leave a Comment

Why Your Story Matters

Have you ever stopped to think about the power of your own story? Each of us carries a lifetime of experiences, lessons, and memories that are as unique as our fingerprints. Yet, too often, these stories remain untold, locked away in the corners of our minds or whispered only to a select few.

But what if your story could inspire someone else? What if the challenges you’ve overcome or the dreams you’ve chased could offer hope, guidance, or even just a moment of connection to someone walking a similar path?

Your life story matters, not just to you, but to those around you—family, friends, colleagues, and even future generations. When you capture your story, you’re creating a legacy. You’re giving others a chance to see the world through your eyes, to learn from your journey, and to appreciate the richness of the human experience.

Getting Started

If the idea of writing your life story feels overwhelming, start small. Begin with a single memory that’s meaningful to you. Maybe it’s a childhood adventure, a pivotal career moment, or a conversation that changed your perspective. Write as if you’re talking to a friend. Don’t worry about grammar or structure just let the words flow.

And remember, your story doesn’t have to be dramatic or extraordinary to be valuable. Sometimes, the most relatable and impactful stories come from everyday moments, the quiet resilience, the simple joys, the lessons learned in unexpected ways.

Why Now?

There’s no perfect time to start capturing your story, but there’s also no time like the present. Life is fleeting, and memories fade. By taking the time to write down your experiences now, you’re ensuring that they won’t be lost.

So, grab a notebook, or open a blank document. Start with one sentence, one paragraph, one memory. Your story deserves to be told—and there’s someone out there who’s waiting to hear it. If you need a hand, reach out. I’d be happy to help. Write Your Story community workshops, and one-on-one professional personal support tailored to your needs is available.

Angela Robertson is a writer, inspirational speaker, and workshop facilitator. Her non-fiction books are available in paperback, Kindle, and eBook formats from online bookstores. Amazon.com: Angela Robertson: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

December 30, 2024 Leave a Comment

Every Life has a Story

Every life has a story. Yes, even yours. Your experiences, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned deserve to be celebrated, preserved, and shared. It’s not difficult to do as nobody knows your life story better than you do. For thousands of years, storytelling has been a fundamental way for individuals to connect with others. It’s an inherent, purposeful process. You don’t need any fancy or expensive tools; you can start your project at any age and stage and work at your own pace. All you need to get your project off the ground is a dollop of inspiration, a notebook and a pen.

I’m fascinated with people and their stories, which is why I write. It’s also why I encourage and support others to capture their life stories for themselves, their whanau and friends, and for future generations. In my experience, those that take the time to document their story, do so because they want to leave a sense of who they are for the important people in their lives, and for those who come after. Sharing your experiences, expressed within the context of the time and the cultural and social norms of the day provides insight into a world that is so different to what our children and grandchildren experience today. Reflecting on your experience you may also be in a position to offer words of wisdom and hope to others who may be faced with a similar situation or set of circumstances. Regardless of the nature and scope of your writing project, your story will be memorialized in your own words. How cool is that.

Life is short. Don’t let your life stories go untold. Start today. If you need a hand, reach out. I’d be happy to help. Community Write Your Story workshops and one-on-one personalized professional support tailored to your needs is available. Or tune in to the Write Your Story programme, 11.30am each Sunday on Coast Access Radio 104.7FM when I share tips and examples from my own experience and the experiences of others within our Write Your Story community, who are on a similar journey.

October 29, 2024 Leave a Comment

Starting Small – Why “Micro” Family History Projects are Perfect for Beginners

Are you intrigued by your family’s history but daunted by the task of documenting it all? You’re not alone! Writing a full family history can seem overwhelming, but there’s no need to tackle it all at once. Instead, think small; consider capturing one person, one event, or one era at a time. Taking “micro” steps can be the key to unlocking your family’s story. By focusing on one manageable project at a time, your small stories can create a compelling, layered narrative over time.

I’ll give you an example based on my own experience. My initial goal was to write the story of my parent’s early life, their courtship and their marriage as a single project. Both of my parents have been deceased for more than 20 years, but I had a stack of letters, some photos, a few newspapers, and historic books on my hometown where my parents met, married, and raised their family. I didn’t want their story to go untold, and now we siblings were the older generation, the grownups, I felt it was our responsibility to do something about it.

With a burst of enthusiasm, I applied for my dad’s service record and paid the requisite fee. It arrived in due course. Although scanty, it proved to be invaluable when supplemented with additional research into the Royal Marines and the Second World War, the details of the ships that dad served on, and a few photographs.

I drafted a rough outline to guide my writing project, shared my intentions with my siblings who live on different continents, and immersed myself in the task. By the time I had written the first two chapters I realised:

a) The boundaries of my project were way too big if I was going to do their stories justice.

I needed to split the massive project into separate smaller projects to make it manageable for me as the writer, and engaging for the family as the readers.

b) Whilst I had a lot of information, I was missing vital data.

I would need to do additional research and reach out to extended family overseas to find out if they were privy to information that I was unaware of.

c) I had not factored in the emotional impact of my learning journey, not only on me but on my siblings, our children and our grandchildren.

Author Elizabeth St John said that writing a family history can be a profound emotional journey for the writer and this certainly was the case for me. Writing my dad’s story was a labour of love, and a treasure for our family.

With the benefit of hindsight, I have huge respect for anyone who takes the time to research and document their family story for perpetuity. These stories are not only valuable for our family, but these stories are also valuable to historians of the future.

If you feel ready to start capturing the essence of your family’s history, try tackling it one “micro bite” at a time. It works. If you need a hand, reach out. I’d be happy to help. Community workshops and one-on-one professional personal support tailored to your needs is available.

October 19, 2024 Leave a Comment

Capture Your Life Story and Enhance Your Wellbeing

Working with individuals, groups and communities I encourage men and women to broaden their perspective on ageing, continually expand their horizons, take advantage of the opportunities around them, and channel their energy into activities that matter. Every day I get to meet and interview awesome people of all ages and stages, from wildly different backgrounds that have a wealth of experiences and perspectives on life. My fascination with people and their stories is one of the reasons why I write, and why I encourage and support others to capture their memories and family histories for themselves, their whanau, friends, and for future generations.

Documenting your life story needn’t be a solitary endeavour; it can be an opportunity to strengthen your social connections. In my popular series of Write Your Story Community Workshops, participants meet weekly in a supportive fun environment. As part of the learning experience, they are guided through every step of the writing journey, from concept to completion, and everyone is encouraged to share their stories. By sharing your experiences, you create bridges with others who may have similar stories to tell. In this way a ‘Write Your Story’ project becomes a catalyst for community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing social wellbeing. I appreciate that some don’t want to attend workshops but still require support to get started and maintain momentum with their project in the comfort of their own home. In these circumstances I provide professional one-on-one support and encouragement tailored to meet the individual’s specific needs.

We all have a unique life story filled with lessons, triumphs, challenges, and growth. Capturing that story, through whatever means, goes beyond simply recalling and documenting your memories. The process can also foster a deeper connection to our sense of well-being. Reflecting on your personal journey has the power to improve your mental, emotional, social, and even physical health. I believe that the process of writing your life story taps into every dimension of well-being. We’ll explore four of these dimensions here.

Mental Well-being: Gaining Clarity and Insight

Writing about your life helps provide a sense of purpose and brings clarity to your thoughts and experiences. As you reflect on your past, you may begin to see patterns in your decisions, relationships, and habits. This type of reflection promotes self-awareness and encourages problem-solving, which often gives you a clearer understanding of who you are. For many, writing becomes a way to process difficult moments, making sense of complex emotions and life events. By organizing your memories and thoughts, you may find a greater sense of peace and mental clarity.

Emotional Well-being: Healing Through Expression

Putting your feelings into words can be incredibly therapeutic. Revisiting both joyful and painful experiences allows you to process unresolved emotions and even heal old wounds. Writing about these moments provides emotional release, helping you to work through feelings that may have been repressed or unspoken. This emotional catharsis can reduce anxiety and lead to emotional growth, resulting in greater resilience and balance.

Social Well-being: Strengthening Connections – this is a biggie

The process of documenting your life story can be a powerful tool for building deeper connections with others. Sharing your journey—whether in conversations with loved ones or with others within the Write Your Story community helps build and develop relationships and foster empathy and understanding. By opening up and sharing your experiences, you may inspire others to reflect on their own lives and experiences, creating a strong sense of community. Sharing your story can also strengthen family bonds, allowing future generations to understand their heritage and appreciate the experiences that shaped you.

Physical Well-being: Reducing Stress Through Creativity

Surprisingly, the process of writing your life story can even benefit your physical health. Engaging in creative activities like writing has been shown to lower stress levels and reduce cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. This mindful act of reflection helps you slow down and relax, promoting better sleep, reducing tension, and improving overall well-being. In short, writing can serve as a form of meditation, bringing calmness to both the mind and body.

In Summary

Capturing your life story is more than just preserving memories—it’s a journey into deeper self-awareness that touches every part of your well-being. Through reflection, healing, connection, and creative expression, writing your story can enhance your mental, emotional, social, and physical health. If you start documenting your journey today, and you’ll not only create a meaningful legacy but also nurture your holistic well-being.

Capturing your life story is a creative and rewarding project and you get to choose what’s included, and what will remain a mystery. The act of writing is like food for the soul. Your experiences, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned deserve to be celebrated, preserved, and shared. After all, these experiences and the people you met along the way helped shape you into the person you are today.

Life is short. Don’t let your stories go untold. Start today. If you need a hand reach out. With professional personalized support you’ll be amazed how quickly your story will take shape.

May 22, 2024 Leave a Comment

Why Write Your Travel Story?

We’ve just experienced the trip of a lifetime. After a year of planning the details with family overseas, and only weeks before the departure date, my husband had a minor stroke. The incident happened out of the blue. It was a huge shock. In a moment our lives had changed. We began to take stock of our situation, reflect on our lifestyle, and reprioritise our goals. Luckily, my husband made a good recovery, and eventually we were given medical clearance to travel. When the departure date finally arrived, we set off on our 30,000 kilometre ambitious expedition to visit places we’d previously only dreamed about.

We’ve always found that travel opens the door to new experiences, cultures, and personal growth. As our family is spread across the globe, it’s not possible to spend time with them as often and for as long as we’d like. Wherever we go, each journey is unique, filled with moments of discovery, challenges, and joy. Like many, we take lots of photos, purchase maps, and collect memorabilia. We enjoy soaking up the historical context, traditions, experimenting with local cuisine, and have learned to roll with, and in retrospect, enjoy the unexpected and unplanned events that make the trip unique. But if these memories and mementoes are not organised into a coherent whole, are these boxed up souvenirs and the faded memories enough to savour the experience over time? No. I don’t believe this is the case.

Writing your travel story can be a rewarding way to preserve these memories. It’s an opportunity to recount the sights, sounds, adventures, and the emotions associated with them. It allows you to process your experiences, understand the impact of your journey, and recognize the lessons learned. This introspection can lead to greater self-awareness, and a deeper appreciation of your adventures, and the people who shared these experiences with you. This is especially so in our case. Given the shocking diagnosis, we are so grateful to have been able to make this trip.

Writing your travel story is a rewarding endeavour that allows you to relive your adventures and capture a snapshot of the world as you experienced it. It’s an opportunity to express yourself creatively, connect with a community, and leave a legacy for family and future generations. Don’t leave it until it is too late. Take the plunge and start writing your travel story today!

December 28, 2023 1 Comment

Frank’s Way a Remarkable Life Story that Deserves to Shine.

It all started with a phone call.

“My brother-in-law Frank Hocken, now in his 80’s, has led an incredible life. He and my sister Lee are very successful entrepreneurs, and through their business interests have achieved so much together. They were instrumental in retaining and developing Twizel – the South Island town that was constructed as the base for the largest hydro project ever undertaken in New Zealand. Post the project, the temporary town was going to be discarded – demolished. It made no sense. Frank and Lee could see the potential. They took risks, garnered support, challenged the Council and eventually won the case to retain and develop the town. Since then, the town that was close to being destroyed, has been transformed whilst still retaining its charm. The population has grown and given its location, surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, it’s a destination of choice for thousands of holiday makers year-round. You’ll have to go and see for yourself. Frank is an amazing storyteller and it’s so important their story is captured for family and friends”.

We met Frank and Lee Hocken a few weeks later. His sister-in-law was spot on when she said Frank was a great storyteller. Handing over a box of notes, some newspaper cuttings and a couple of books we chatted about his early life. Intrigued, we agreed to read the notes and consider the project. It soon became apparent that Frank and Lee’s story was astonishing. Frank was a force to be reckoned with in business, most notably, but not limited to property and community development. It was evident that Frank and Lee’s family, achievements, and business interests, were not restricted to Twizel. Their story, their legacy, would need to be preserved, documented, and read to be believed.

Franks Way – The Story of Frank and Lee Hocken, is an inspirational story of hard work, adversity, and determination. With our one-on-one support and guidance, we had the privilege of capturing this couple’s life journey from their humble origins in rural New Zealand. They met each other on the other side of the world and returned to New Zealand to start a new life together. Their story is full of interesting accounts of family life, business success and failures, and includes their role in the history of the retention of Twizel, the small hydro town that refused to die. While they have business interests all over New Zealand, Twizel has remained central to their family life and business for more than 30 years.

With a nudge from a sibling, Frank and Lee bravely took up the challenge and invested the time to preserve their living legacy.

Working at their own pace, and in their own way, they initially compiled their story for family, friends, and future generations. It’s an enduring finished product that they are proud to share with others. But clearly their documented story is bigger than that; Franks Way – The Story of Frank and Lee Hocken is a significant accomplishment.

Their story shows how they and their family have shaped our environment, and in so doing, they have made an enormous contribution to New Zealand’s social and cultural heritage.

Your story matters. It’s a gift to be treasured. Don’t let it go untold. We appreciate everyone’s story if different. For example, it could be a collection of memories, a career or business story, a family history, a travel adventure, or a spiritual journey. Whatever it is take the first step towards preserving your story for your loved ones. Documenting it doesn’t need to be a laborious solitary experience. One-on-one personalised, confidential support, tailored to your needs, is available every step of the way – from concept to completion. This includes project initiation, guidance on structure, writing structure, writing assistance, and final presentation including publishing options for those that are keen to take this step. Schedule your complimentary consultation today to get started on your legacy project.

Email me at Kiaora@angelarobertson.nz

Testimonials

“I am so very, very grateful for all the amazing work you have done – how you assisted me through the whole process to share my story, compile my chapters, and helped me to advertise and launch my book ‘The Ever-Widening Circles’. I am overwhelmed with praise. Thank you.” – Marg Schrader

“Angela was willing to help us put our stories together. I am very grateful for all her help over the months of meeting together, typing up my handwritten notes, inserting my photos, and compiling the chapters for printing.” – Andy Higham ‘My Thoughts…My Life’

Angela Robertson is a writer, inspirational speaker and workshop facilitator. Her own non-fiction books are available in paperback, Kindle and eBook formats from online bookstores. Amazon.com: Angela Robertson: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

November 18, 2023 Leave a Comment

Emotional Wellbeing: Unlocking Joy Through Your Story

Did you know that it’s possible to unleash the power of joy and strengthen your wellbeing by embarking on a ‘Write Your Story’ project? Your life is a tapestry of emotions—joyful moments, triumphs, and challenges overcome. Writing your story allows you to revisit and celebrate the positive emotions that have coloured your journey. Reflecting on and capturing your happy memories, family history, career/business story, travel adventures or spiritual journey brings both joy and a sense of meaning and fulfillment.

Documenting your story also provides the opportunity to strengthen relationships with family, friends and the wider community that will be cherished for a lifetime. Your narrative can be a source of inspiration, reminding you, and others, of the happiness you’ve experienced and fosters positive emotional wellbeing.

Writing has therapeutic benefits for your physical wellbeing. It’s not just an intellectual exercise; it’s a way to express and release emotions, reduce stress and promote overall wellness. As you embark on your ‘Write Your Story’ project, consider the physical wellbeing advantages—a healthier mind contributing to a healthier body.

Completing your life story is a significant accomplishment. It’s not just words on a page; it’s a testament to your resilience, growth, and the legacy you’re leaving behind. In the first instance, all you need is an open mind, a notebook and pen, and a commitment to your project. Make a list of the topics you’d like to include, then pick the one that appeals the most to you and start writing. Don’t be tempted to edit your work, just write. Don’t let perfection get in the way of getting the job done. You can revise, polish and format your script at a later date.

Documenting your life story needn’t be a solitary endeavor; it can be an opportunity to strengthen your social connections. In my popular series of ‘Write Your Story’ community workshops, men and women meet weekly in a supportive fun environment. As part of the learning experience, I guide participants through every step of the writing journey, from concept to completion, and everyone is encouraged to share their stories. By sharing your experiences, you create bridges to others who may have similar stories to tell. In this way a ‘Write Your Story’ project becomes a catalyst for community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing social wellbeing. For those that prefer to work on their own, I also offer professional one-on-one support and encouragement.

It’s never too late to begin documenting your incredible life journey. Your story deserves to shine, and it makes the perfect gift for the special people in your life. Why not start your legacy project today, celebrate your journey, and leave a lasting impact.

Reach out if you need a hand, I’d be happy to help.

August 2, 2023 Leave a Comment

10 Good Reasons To Write Your Story

Why is it important to write your story? Answer: Because everyone’s life is unique and worthwhile, and everyone has a story to tell, including you. Let’s face it, you’ve been sharing snippets of your life in conversations with family and friends for most of your life. Storytelling has been an integral way of connecting with others for generations. Documenting your memories, vignettes of defining moments in your life, elements of your family history, your career/business journey, your travel adventures, a spiritual experience, or hobbies you are passionate about, is such a rewarding and fulfilling personal experience. It’s also the greatest legacy you can leave your family and friends, and a treasure for future generations.

In a nutshell: –

Writing your personal story evokes memories of the important people in your lives, your experiences, achievements, your hopes, and dreams. You get to taste life twice – in the moment and in retrospect.
The process is enjoyable and liberating. It can also be cathartic (healing).
It will help guide you on your search for family roots – tracing lineage, social history, which may help to create a sense of identity with your predecessors.
Wisdom. Reflecting on your story, you’ll gain perspective and learn from your experience.
It’s a great way to connect with grandchildren, as they love stories. The process may reconnect you with more distant family members.
You get to choose what’s included.
You’ll create a living legacy with no regrets (e.g., I wish I had my parent’s story ………….but now it’s too late……)
It’s a fabulous gift for the special people in your life.
Your life, work experience, and your involvement in the community contributes to our cultural and social heritage.
If you don’t write it, who will?

Where and how to start documenting your story?

Be selective. Choose your topic for example, Childhood memories, How I met your mother/father, Memories of my mother/father. Focus on one essential area of your life or family history at a time. Ask yourself, “which story is the most important one to tell? What excites me the most?” Contain your story to avoid becoming overwhelmed with the size of your project. Think about the reader, what do you think would interest them the most about your life or family history? Draw a timeline and tease out a structure for your writing project(s). List the major events and the important characters you’d like to include in relation to the topic you have chosen. Use lists and bullet points to ‘sketch’ out the parts of your story in a notebook, and document your ideas, thoughts and feelings as you go. Once you have a plan, it makes it easier to flesh out your lists of bullet points and ideas and transform them into sentences. Be authentic, use your own voice, your own words to tell the story in your own way. Finally, resist the urge to perfect what you’ve written. Remember, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’.

Maintaining momentum with your writing project

Wishing will not accomplish your goals. Actions will. Commit to your writing project and make it a priority. Set intermediate goals to maintain your interest. Ask yourself, “what will I write by (date), to give to (name).” Schedule your writing time as you do other appointments, stick to it, and monitor your progress. Alternatively, consider joining a community group of like-minded people who: –

Meet regularly to work on non-fiction writing projects.
Create an encouraging, respectful, fun environment.
Listen, and are prepared to give and receive constructive feedback and support.

Everyone has a story to convey. The good news is that if others can document their story, so can you. Reach out if you need a hand, I’d be happy to help. I facilitate ‘Write Your Story’ community workshops, seminars, and one-on-one coaching support for individuals on request.

December 27, 2021 Leave a Comment

A New Year’s Wish (An old Irish Toast)

May you have:

Enough happiness to keep you sweet.

Enough trials to keep you strong.

Enough sorrow to keep you human.

Enough hope to keep you happy.

Enough failure to keep you humble.

Enough success to keep you eager.

Enough friends to give you comfort.

Enough wealth to meet your needs.

Enough enthusiasm to look forward.

Enough faith to banish depression.

Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Best wishes for the New Year. (Author unknown)

What do you wish for in 2022?

August 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

Planning A 100th Birthday Celebration – A Centenarian’s Extra Special Gift

Becoming a centenarian is a significant milestone that calls for a celebration. Kath looked forward to her 100^th birthday and planned to celebrate this momentous occasion with family and friends. At her 90^th, 95^thand 99^th birthday parties, the family always displayed a photo board showing lots of pictures of her life and family and friends, but Kath said, “there’s very little time to talk about who everyone is”. Explaining she said, “I’ve enjoyed a good and happy life, and they have all played an important part in it. This time, I’d like to give something back”.

At her 100^th birthday party she gave each of her guests a very special gift to show how much she valued their friendship over the years – an illustrated book of short stories capturing the defining moments of her life. For Kath, the project was a labour of love – for her family and friends it is a personal treasure that has given them tremendous joy. It was a privilege to work with Kath on this project to preserve her memories and honour her life. Everyone’s life is unique and worthwhile. Everyone has a story to tell. It’s the greatest legacy you can leave your family and friends. If you are interested in capturing your personal or family story and need a hand, contact me, Angela Robertson at kiaora@angelarobertson.nz