Note: This is a powerful tool if you are writing about your life. What is life story mapping? Your Lifemap is simply a tool, a framework within which to explore the many different factors that have shaped who and where you are today. In many ways, your experiences have powerfully influenced the way you feel, how you relate to others and how you interpret your everyday moments. Your Life Map is the process of gathering the ‘data’ of your life on key moments that have shaped you whether they are negative or positive. While everyone’s journey will be unique, your Life Map will have transformational turning points that you may have forgotten and this is why creating your Life Map is an important step in writing your book. There is power in your story and as you write your story, you face your deepest hurts which makes writing your story one of the most powerful ways to heal and transform your past and your life. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to tell your story. You have total freedom to be only as transparent and vulnerable as you feel comfortable being. At the same time, let yourself be challenged and step out of your comfort zone. Try to have fun preparing and telling your story. Don’t worry about having it perfect or having to impress anyone else. Life Story Map requirements. You will need 1 large poster sheet or whiteboard to put on the wall. 2 stacks of Post-it notes (coloured is fun) Each colour can represent an age, or distinguish sad or happy events. (stickies are perfect because you can move them around. A black pen Creating Your Life Story Map 1) Arrange your notes in a logical sequence in the columns of the big sheet (see drawing above). You can arrange your notes in chronological order, for example, the first block represents different stages - Column 1 is age - 1 - 10 years old, Column 2 is age 11 to 20 years old and so on. You can do it in whatever order or segments feels most natural to you. 2) Just write a few words on each post-it note to capture the idea. Let the ideas flow as a stream of consciousness. At this point, don't worry about placement or sequence. Just sit down with the stack of post its and write as many as possible. 3) Once you have completed the first go around of memories on post-it notes, place in the appropriate column. Be as creative and flexible as you feel led to. Do Not Rush the Process It’s important to not hurry to get it done - you will know when you feel complete.