Writing Your Story Is One of the Most Powerful Ways to Heal — Rebecka Vigus on Memoir as a Therapeutic Practice

There is a reason therapists have recommended journaling and life-writing for decades — something happens when you put your story into words. Rebecka Vigus has seen it firsthand: people who come to memoir writing carrying unprocessed grief, trauma, or PTSD often find that the act of writing becomes one of the most quietly transformative things they have ever done. She joins Stacey Chillemi to explore why writing your own story — not just for posterity, but for yourself — has the power to shift how you understand who you are and where you come from. What she shares about how family history writing reconnects you to relatives in ways you did not expect, why the writers who approach memoir as personal archaeology tend to get more out of it than those who treat it as record-keeping, and how even someone who has never written a book in their life can begin documenting their legacy in a way that actually holds together will stay with you long after this conversation ends. Your story is not just something worth preserving. It might be exactly what you need to finally make sense of it. Website: LEARNINGS: According to Rebecka Vigus, what is the significance of legacy and memoir writing?  Rebecka Vigus emphasizes that legacy and memoir writing can help preserve family stories, values, beliefs, and history for future generations. How does Rebecka suggest starting with legacy writing for beginners? Rebecka suggests starting with simple stories that hold significance in one's life, such as incidents that reflect values or teach lessons, aiming for 26 to 32 pages with illustrations. How did Rebecka reconnect with long-lost relatives through genealogy and family history? Rebecka discovered relatives through genealogy, such as finding her great-grandmother's tombstone in someone else's photos, leading to reconnecting with living relatives she didn't know existed. What genres and themes are present in Rebecka Vigus' books? Rebecka Vigus has written books ranging from mysteries to short stories, covering themes like PTSD, narcissism, obsession, and kidnapping, as well as an alphabet book and a writing guide. How does Rebecka emphasize the importance of storytelling and family history in self-development? Rebecka highlights that understanding one's legacy and history can provide a sense of identity and connection, aiding in personal growth and self-discovery. Become a supporter of this podcast: . Follow The Advisor with Stacey Chillemi for weekly episodes on mindset, wellness, spirituality, and business growth—without burnout. Newsletter & resources: https://substack.com/@staceychillemi Watch & connect: • • Be a guest/sponsor: [email protected] • or Disclaimer: Educational only; not medical, mental-health, or legal... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices