Activity 2: Your Recovery Story - Borderline Support

Take some time to consider your own recovery story, and begin to write it down. The aim is to write your story of experiences of mental health challenges and recovery, and to relate this to recovery concepts and factors supporting recovery. You will build upon this writing throughout the rest of the course, and it will form the basis of the first assignment if you are working towards the certificate.

You may find this activity challenging or overwhelming at first. If you feel you need guidance, please reach out to the tutor by emailing training@borderlinesupport.org.uk. If you feel distressed at any time you can stop and come back to it later, and if you need to talk about any of the things in your story, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

If you are struggling to get started, there are some themes to help you to start to write your story, such as:

My life… the move or the novel

This theme is light-hearted but can reveal truths about the way people view their life. Think about the title of a film or a novel of their life. This could be an existing film or novel or one created by them. Then think about all or some of the following:

• What type of film or novel it is – comedy, tragedy, action, romance, short story, ‘War and Peace…..?
• Who is playing the main role and why them?
• What is the ending like?
• What changes will make it better?

Letters from the Wise One

Cast yourself in the role of Yoda or the Wise One. This theme helps people to remember helpful strategies they have used in their life and journey of recovery. You can:

• Tell someone facing the kind of challenges you have faced how you coped and give them some tips.
• Write a congratulations letter describing the journey and the challenges you have overcome.
• Picture a good day – when you are at yourr best. What is different and what are you doing?

Fresh perspectives

This theme helps you try to see things from a different point of view. To do this you can try one or more of the following prompts:

• It’s easy to be your own worst critic. What would a good friend say about you?
• Meet your 85 year old self. What does this wise person who loves you, tell you?
• Our inner ‘persecution’ makes us feel bad. What does your personal world class defence lawyer have to say?

Surviving, Thriving and Recovery

Distress and loss feature in every life. But…you reading this means you’re surviving. It’s time to credit yourself for courage and resilience. What strengths and skills have you been using to keep the show on the road? Write about your power and strength, they’re going to come in handy.