Why Your Memoir Is Worth Writing For Medicinal Purposes, Even If Nobody Else Reads It

I hated being asked “What do I do?”. I found out that if I said I was an OB/GYN, people would tell me how their vaginas were ripped open during childbirth. Or ask me for medical advice. People made up many stories about me when they found out that I was a doctor. Some of these were accurate. They also speculated about my place on the privilege, wealth and power continuum, or whether they should admire or despise me. As many people assumed a submissive, “one down” tone, they would be more respectful of me than others. It was not what I liked.

It was more interesting to answer, “I am an artist or a writer”; however, this was a false assumption. I was actually making a lot money by creating a lot art for high-end hotels like the Ritz-Carlton.

Whatever I do, it is not who I am. So, I started asking people I met “What’s your story?” This allowed people to choose how they wanted to interact with me, and I could also do the same. It was not about where we were placed in the power hierarchy or how much we make a living, but rather about who we are as individuals.

I ask you: What is your story?

Each of us has a story to tell. The state of our nervous system is directly affected by how we tell our stories and how we orient ourselves to the events that have happened to us. When our nervous systems are firing “Threat!” because we’re in a sympathetically-driven “fight or flight” or when we’re collapsed into a dorsal vagal “freeze or fawn,” the stories we make up about ourselves, other people, and the world can become quite paranoid and pessimistic. Our minds will attempt to create stories that fit our dysregulated nervous system if our nervous systems feel threatened. This is partly why conspiracy theories can take root.

As our nervous systems become more ventral vagal parasympathetic, our story telling abilities change. Stephen Porges, the founder of polyvagal theory, taught that “state creates stories.” We will only tell our story in one way if we are frozen. We will tell the story another way if we succumb to our abusers and defend them in a Stockholm syndrome-like manner. The story will change if we are fighting or fleeing. When we aren’t in survival mode and feel safe, secure, and can trust others to validate, mirror, and tune to our story, our narrative will change. Our nervous system will also affect how others perceive our story.

This is something we should understand before we begin writing our story. It will allow us to be more mindful of our nervous system and take care before we sit down at the keyboard or pick up the pen. It is worth taking the time to find our true story, in a way that empowers and humbles. It’s not an easy task to find our true story. Not only does our nervous system affect how we tell stories, but different parts of us have different stories.

Parts might be a horrifying tale of powerlessness and helplessness that leads to victimization by those who mistreat us. This may elicit pity from the reader. Some parts may tell a grandiose and self-righteous story about us that makes us superior to those who have hurt us. This might incite outrage, hatred and sympathy towards the storyteller. Others might portray us as having chosen our traumas. Sometimes we might be the ones who are responsible for our own stories. After all, hurt people hurt people. Sometimes, we may write the story as a vulnerable child grieving after experiencing loss and pain.

The best stories never leave out any other stories. All the stories are woven together into a tapestry of stories that help us to make sense of our lives. Sometimes the art of telling our “hell-and-back” story can be a form of medicine. We share our story in the hope that it will help others still in hell. Telling a story to help others in pain can transform our vulnerability into our strengths.

It doesn’t mean we have to go to hell to share our stories. Even if you are able to get past your trauma, it can be inspiring for people with a dysfunctional nervous system. Sometimes, however, we can write our stories while we claw our way to the sun, claw mark after claw mark. This too can be a great act of service. To see the sausage being made before it goes to the barbecue, that can also be inspiring. It’s possible to be patient with each other and allow ourselves to be messy.

Sometimes, we create our own story. Sometimes we need to vent and cuss with our victimized parts. This can lead us to get secret, private revenge and to lashing out at others. We don’t have the right to edit it or worry about who will read it. This can be the most effective and cost-effective therapy you will ever find.

We don’t have to publish those drafts. It’s enough to get the inside story out on paper. If we’re lucky, those drafts can be shared with a few trusted, trustworthy, open-hearted people who will validate and validate our stories. They won’t judge, humiliate, or share our secrets. Or worse, they might even tell us to stop telling victim stories. Sometimes, the truth of our story will emerge as the next stage after “the shitty initial draft,” which Anne Lamott calls it.

After we have written our first drafts, we need to have our stories seen by someone who can calm our nervous systems so that they can validate them. One of the most effective medicines is to have someone affirm your belief. There are no known side effects.

These principles were taught to me by Nancy Aronie (author of Memoir As Medicine), my writing teacher. She was three years before I published my first book. Nancy provided a safe space to tell my story. The class was also a great place for me to connect with other people, even before I published my first memoir. Nancy and I will be teaching a Zoom Memoir As Medicine writing course for six weeks. You’re welcome to share your story with us!

Join us for Memoir As Medicine here

You are also welcome to create your own story. What would your story look like if you were able to condense it into a few paragraphs? Post your story to our private Facebook group, Memoir As Medicine. You are welcome to not share any information. You are allowed to tell your story, but you can keep it private for now.

For the record, whatever I write, I believe it. Your story is beautiful.

Lissa Rankin originally published the post Why Your Memoir is Worth Writing for Medicinal Purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is holistic medicine more effective?

Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person and not just individual symptoms. Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person, not just individual symptoms. This includes how they feel, what they eat and where they live.

Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life and treats them like a whole package. Although it may sound easy, in practice this is difficult because doctors tend to focus only on the physical aspect of patients.

What does holistic really mean?

Holistic simply means holistic. Holistic refers to looking at the whole picture, not just one part. It is difficult to do this because we tend to see things as individual parts.

We tend to think of black and then white. However, grey comes in a wide range of shades.

So, when working on a project, try to see everything from different angles. Look at it from all sides.

It is important to see how the pieces fit together. How does each of its components interact with one another?

If you do find a problem, try to figure out why. Don’t forget about the effects of any change that you make.

What is the Difference between Naturopathic and Holistic Medicines?

The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine is based on drugs and surgery. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. The CAM is not intended to be a replacement for conventional treatment. It is meant to assist patients who wish to have control over their own healthcare and choose what is best.

Naturopathy, on the other hand is used to supplement conventional medical practices. The whole person, mind and spirit are treated by naturopathy. There are many forms and types of naturopathy.

It is important that you note that some CAM modalities may overlap with traditional medicine. For example, herbal remedies can be prescribed by doctors and naturopaths alike. However, naturopaths tend to emphasize lifestyle changes over prescription medications.

Naturopathy can be called “complementary” when it is used in combination with conventional medicine. Naturopaths may prescribe medication as needed.

There are some differences in naturopathic medicine from other CAM modalities.

Naturopaths are not qualified to prescribe or diagnose medication.
Naturopaths work with the patient’s family physician and may refer outpatients to specialists if necessary.
Naturopathic physicians must be licensed by their provinces. CAM practitioners need to be self-regulated.
Naturopathy focuses on prevention and wellness and offers education about diet, exercise, and nutrition.
Naturopaths emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress management and exercise.
Naturopharmacists specialize on the treatment of certain conditions with botanicals or minerals.
Naturopodists can provide personalized care, based on the individual needs of each patient.
Naturopaths are licensed by regulatory bodies like the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario.
Provincial regulatory bodies grant licenses to naturopatrists.
The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors has registered Naturopaticians.
Naturotherapists are licensed by the College of Naturopaths of British Columbia.
The United States National Board of Medical Examiners accredits Naturobiotic therapists.
Homeopaths are licensed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
The term “holistic” refers the belief that all aspects, including physical, spiritual, social, and mental, should be taken into consideration when making decisions about one’s health. Holistic doctors will look at all of these aspects rather than just one.

Statistics

According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What can a holistic doctor do differently than a traditional doctor?

A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.

Holistic doctors treat patients holistically. This means they take a holistic approach to treating their health concerns. This approach helps them identify underlying causes and work towards long-term wellness and preventative measures. Holistic doctors combine conventional medicine with natural remedies like essential oils and herbs to treat illness. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.

The holistic doctor also offers therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture, reiki, yoga, meditation, shiatsu, shiatsu, shiatsu, reiki, reiki, shamanic healing, hypnotherapy, craniosacral, and many other treatments.

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