A recent article in the New York Times encourages reading memoirs for mental health. Memoirs of famous successful people can show people struggling with mental health how famous successful people overcame life’s disappointments, failures, and setbacks to become productive and reasonably happy people. It was explained that there is a sex.
As a clinical psychologist, I too recognize the value of memoirs. But I use the concept of memoir in a different way. I regularly encourage people with depression and anxiety to write what I call a “mini-memoir” of one page or less.
Writing a mini-memoir is very different from the very common idea of keeping a diary. In a mini-memoir, an individual details at least one event or experience that occurred early in life that may have made a significant difference in overcoming a later disastrous behavior, habit, personality trait, or thought process. I remember.
It is important for each of us to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of life’s development, as well as to recognize negative experiences from previous life that may be embedded in our emotional DNA. is. And in fact, when patients ask me how they overcame their feelings of shyness and social anxiety, I often share examples of mini-memoirs I’ve written.
Overall it looks like this:
“Of all the sports, boxing was probably my father’s favorite. He couldn’t afford tickets to the Marquis Boxing matches at the original old Madison Square Garden, so he bought cheaper tickets instead. And when we got to that huge indoor arena, my dad walked in like a man who knew he was special. .His bank account balance is terrible!
“He secretly slipped a dollar or two into the palm of one of the ushers, and in return the usher ushered us to ringside seats. I was a very cautious boy, I was surprised by this bold move of my father. Heaven forbid we get caught, but sometimes the real owners of these special seats demand it. But no problem, the usher ushered me and my cool dad to separate seats at ringside, where we had a great view of the great show.
“I was very uncomfortable when my kind but pushy father made me follow him to a seat I hadn’t paid for. I grabbed his arm and resisted him all the way to my ringside seat. , implored them not to break the rules.
“Unbeknownst to me and perhaps my father, my foray into Madison Square Garden was teaching me the value of being bold, daring, and an intrepid adventurer. As an adult, I understand the ethical issues that my father (unfortunately) chose to ignore. But at the same time, it also limits me from standing up and moving toward goals that meet deeply felt needs. I have also learned to refuse to be tied down and entangled in coveted comfort zones that may require me to take risks at the expense of others’ disapproval in order to achieve my desired goals. .”
Several patients have reported to me how helpful writing mini-memoirs has been to them. It helps you remember and fully understand the early experiences in your life that have the power to help shape your ability to be happier and more productive.