Writing About Your “Self”: Life Mapping Troy University (Main Campus) Student Support Services (SSS)

Objectives are to . . . Teach students to use a life map as a memory wake-up strategy, and motivational writing and planning device. Teach students that life maps help them visualize their individual life journeys. Teach students the power of autobiographical thinking and narration. Promote “self” awareness, identity and creative expression in college writers. Inspire students to assess themselves and not wait for others to determine their self-worth or value.

“To thine own self be true.” Shakespeare wrote . . . “To thine own self be true.” In order to be true to yourself, you must think about your entire self, not just the parts that make you look or feel great. If you are truthful when viewing yourself, then you can see similarities between yourself and others. To be extreme is to have flaws, as well as great qualities.

There are a various ways to identify, define or think of yourself. Four Ways to Define Yourself Externally Internally Subjectively Objectively

How do you define yourself? You can define yourself based on your Externally – Example: Your job or position (writer; full-time student; stay-at-home dad; minister of music at my church) or some tangible valuables in your possession (owner of a summer home in the Florida everglades; Internal resources – Example: Your personality characteristics (kind, impatient, rowdy, optimistic) Source: http://www.creatingstrategies.com/articles/life_mapping/who_are_you

How can you define yourself? (cont). Objectively (factually / without opinion) Subjectively (creatively / uniquely / based on opinion) Do you agree of disagree with this statement? What you see is not always what you get or all that you get. There is often more beneath the surface than there is on the surface.

Autobiographical Writing Is a way to identify yourself in various ways . . . Gives you a chance to be creative. Gives you an opportunity to be self-conscious. Self-Conscious – “intensely aware of oneself” (Merriam Webster) –

Importance of being “Intensely Aware” Self-Conscious – “intensely aware of oneself” (Merriam Webster) Self Conscious does not have to have the negative connotation that that the person is Shy, lacks confidence, or is overly concerned about what other people think. An intense awareness can be a powerful and empowering awareness of one’s self. If someone is intensely aware of himself or herself, then he can analyze his own limits and strengths and not rely on others to judge him or her. A person who knows his or her limits or strengths can learn to trust his or her own judgment and not be afraid to use his own thinking skills in order to make decisions.

Autobiographical Writing is . . . Writing about your self in the (1) past, (2) present or (3) future tense, depending on the purpose of the writing. One key to writing about yourself is to have a destination. Another key to writing about yourself is to know your self.

Remember this Simple Logic of autobiographical or Self Writing: If you want to go backward, then prepare to focus on your history or the history of your culture or your environment. Write or think in past tense. If you want to stay where you are, then write about what is going on right now in your life or environment. You will write in the present tense when practical. (Example of present writing is “Journal writing.”) If you want to go forward, then you focus on your visions or plans. Write or think in future tense.

Before you write . . . Think About Yourself Your “self” . . . What is a “self”? Answer: the abstract (part left to interpretation) and concrete (factual) parts of an entire person

Next, Ask Your “self” these Questions: Where do I think I want to travel physically or emotionally -- to the past, future or nowhere? Am I prepared to reveal to others secret passages of my life? Am I prepared to revisit my entire past – the good and bad parts? Am I happy, frustrated or simply stuck in the present? Am I prepared to change my path if I run into an obstacle or think myself into a corner or a circle? Am I interested in exploring new routes in order to find my future? Are there images of my life that immediately or repeatedly come to mind?

How to begin a Self or Autobiographical Writing . . . Life mapping supports autobiographical writing (writing about one’s self). A Life Map is graphic representation or blueprint of your life – past, present and future.

Life Mapping . . . Life mapping supports autobiographical writing (writing about one’s self in order to identify or define one’s entire “self ”).

What is a Life Map? a graphic organizer A graphic organizer is a group of pictures, images, or symbols that represent events and goals in a person’s life.

Sample Life Map (simple version) On a life map, use mainly images or symbols. You may use a few words or no words. Source: http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/05-1/lesson023.shtml

Sample Life Map (detailed/using computer software) Source:http://lion.taoriver.net/wp-content/Lion1200.png

Now, it is time to work on Your Life Map . . . Use the list on the next slide to help you start thinking about your “self” first. After you think, then begin to draw symbols that represent your life. You may want to create a time line or be more creative. You may want to use unique figures to represent the events or details of your Life Map.

Now, “Create” Your Life Map. Think on the important events of your life and Draw Symbols to represent them. Use the sample list below to motivate your life map drawing on the handout provided. Stories you have heard about your birth Your earliest childhood memory (describe in detail) Your most vivid childhood experiences Your school years A special trip you have taken A favorite meaningful thing/object you received from someone special The first time you gave a speech The first time you wrote an essay A time you hurt yourself A very funny event A time when you cried Your first bike ride A memorable/favorite book A hospital stay Your first plane flight A day you met someone famous A death in the family Your First love The Day You Realized The Purpose for Life or for Your Life Be as CREATIVE as You Can Be!

“Share Your Life” This concludes this presentation. Remember . . . Complete your workshop evaluation form and submit to staff.

THE END Thank you for your participation. Have a successful learning experience at Troy University. Talk to the SSS staff about your learning needs or concerns. We are here for you. Contact information: Phone: 334-670-5985 / Center for Student Success, Shackelford Annex 109; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082