Self as Chambered Nautilus: The Healing Power of Writing
At the 2023 Creative Bridges Conference hosted by Lapidus International this past weekend, I had the privilege of sharing my journey into the profound healing power of writing—a journey that began during my graduate studies. Writing, which initially served as a creative outlet, became a transformative tool for exploring deep-seated personal experiences, such as caregiving, chronic illness, and trauma, in an iterative process similar to the growth cycle of the chambered nautilus. This presentation allowed me to highlight the unique role that writing can play in both personal healing and academic growth.
Contents
The Chambered Nautilus: A Metaphor for Personal Growth
During my research, now published in Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice, the metaphor of the chambered nautilus emerged as a powerful representation of self-transformation. Much like the nautilus, which expands by creating new chambers in its shell, our sense of self evolves as we grow and navigate life’s challenges. Each chamber symbolizes a new stage of development, and writing serves as the tool that helps us build these chambers—facilitating growth, healing, and a deeper understanding of our personal narratives.
Dialogical Self Theory: Navigating Internal and External Voices
To further explore the transformative process, I applied Dialogical Self Theory (DST), which posits that our identity is shaped by multiple “I-positions”—internal and external voices that interact like characters in a story. Through writing, we can give voice to these positions, allowing us to explore and reconfigure our narratives. This process of positioning, counter-positioning, and repositioning helps us make sense of our experiences and fosters personal development.
Writing for Wellbeing: A Tool for Healing and Academic Enrichment
Writing for wellbeing goes beyond creative expression; it is a therapeutic practice that can support emotional and psychological health. By incorporating personal writing into academic programs, we can create a space for students to explore their identities, process difficult experiences, and connect their personal lives with their academic pursuits. My experience in my own graduate program demonstrated that this approach not only enriches research but also fosters a critical and reflective mindset, essential for both personal and academic success.
The Case for Personal Writing in Education
Graduate programs often focus on developing critical thinking and research skills, but there is immense value in integrating personal writing into the curriculum. By doing so, we can provide students with the tools they need to navigate both their academic journeys and their personal lives. Writing for wellbeing supports the development of the whole self, enabling students to engage more deeply with their studies and emerge as well-rounded, reflective individuals.
The 2023 Creative Bridges Conference allowed me to reflect on the transformative power of writing—both in my own life and in the lives of others. As I continue to explore this field, I am more convinced than ever of the importance of personal writing in education and personal development. The chambered nautilus metaphor serves as a reminder that growth is a continuous process, and with each new chamber we create, we come closer to realizing our full potential.
Accessing the Research and Presentation Materials
- Research Paper: My research is published in Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice (eds. Katrin Den Elzen and Reinekke Lengelle).
- Presentation Slides: The slides from my conference presentation are available for download. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or wish to discuss the topics further.
Learn More
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