What can I say? Personal storytelling is harder than I expected. It asks a lot of the teller: to recall memories, to shape them in a way that is coherent and engaging, and to consider how an audience might receive them. It asks us to share parts of ourselves
with others, which on the surface sounds like a beautiful invitation.
But in reality, can feel terrifying. For some people, expression comes naturally. For others, like me, even sharing the
simplest, least vulnerable parts of ourselves evokes a quiet, familiar fear. Storytelling might be the perfect medicine for people like us. It requires clarity, reflection, emotional honesty, and a willingness to stand in front of others as ourselves.
The more I work with personal stories, the more I notice the power of developing and sharing them. It slows me down, asks that I spend time with my memories, decide what matters about them, and shape and define their meaning. In doing so, it becomes a
chance to understand myself better and to practice being seen without shrinking.
Personal storytelling offers the opportunity for growth by giving us the chance to define the meaning of our own experiences. It invites connection and builds confidence. And although storytelling is not therapy, there is something undeniably healing about sharing
a personal story and having it received with attention and the care of others.
I am still learning how to show up, how to share, and how to let myself be seen. But personal storytelling is nudging me toward growth and for that, I am grateful.
(the image at the top of the post can be found here, in an article called “Is Storytelling therapy?”)
Jessica is a community planning professional with a background in community engagement, grant management, and sustainability. She is dedicated to advancing social and environmental well-being in urban environments and empowering communities to realize their visions. Jessica works for the City of Phoenix and holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies. She also operates a grassroots cat rescue, Green Paws Project, and enjoys all things outdoors!
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