Did you know that simply by writing your life story--complete with joys, failures, ups, and downs--you may begin to feel healthier? Call it an autobiography or call it a memoir, it doesn't matter how you label your story. Sometimes writing everything out sets the body on a new track, toward healthier living, happier thinking, and a generally more positive outlook.

How many times have you told yourself, "I should write a book?!" If you did write a book, what would you put in it? Great accomplishments, of course. The story of a lasting romance, perhaps. The story of a romance that didn't last--maybe.

As you begin to write your own story and immerse yourself in the writing process, you're taking the first step toward living an examined life. This means you have insights into your life: what went right, what went wrong, what could change. You gain the healing effects of disclosure.

Like most of us, you probably read all about the private lives of celebrities, don't you? Maybe there sometimes seems to be too much disclosure! But you decide how smart you think they are, what their mistakes may be, how the celebrity-of-the-day might grow and change. You can examine your own life the same way, but just for yourself, to see what you can learn.

Dr. Ellen Taliaferro (link below) is an expert on what she calls therapeutic writing. She describes a form of expressive writing that allows you to put your experiences down on paper, mull them over, and find areas of your life that may need change.

People working in the healing and helping professions refer to their professional activities as practices. What makes such work a “practice?” A practice implies a set of activities performed often and repeatedly to set the stage for habitual engagement and proficiency. So Dr. Taliaferro suggests that you develop a writing practice--so that your goal of writing your story becomes both habitual and proficient.

To get started on your life story, you can add a writing practice to your routine. One way: Try taking Dr. Taliaferro's 90-day writing challenge::

• Write 32 minutes every day at least three times a week
• Write fast, without thinking or editing
• Write about emotionally charged experiences
• Every 3 to 7 days read and reflect on what came out of these writing sessions--jot down any insights that arise from your review and reflection

You'll find the writing practice rewarding--and the pages will pile up if you keep up the challenge.

Should you show others your progress? Not until you're ready. For a while, you may want your life story to be just that: Your story.

Meanwhile, remember the important part, and that is to have fun as you relive your journey!