How can you encourage someone to share their story?

Inclusion isn’t always about creating a space for everyone to share. Sometimes you need a space for a community to be able to share and reflect on how they feel, before widening the conversation and that’s completely okay.

Decide how your honest story could be of help to others in the audience or person you are sharing it to. When we speak to reach others in our own truth, it is felt. We are more alike than we know. Your story could help someone have more courage to accept themselves too.

We should ask questions in an authentic way with genuine care and curiosity, then people will respond. Our stories are not all big and elaborate. We are all made of many stories. We need to remain patient in the process of getting to know others and not assume there is one defining moment or story to tell.

I think we should first evaluate our relationship with that person. Frankly, I like Matthew Kelly's 7 Levels of Intimacy as a guide for developing relational intimacy. To make a space with minimal risk, follow the sequence he describes. This treats both as collaborators and encourages safer disclosure. Fewer risks of being "ghosted" or becoming a pariah. Ask "Do I have the free space or capacity to take in what I might hear?" "How is my level of exposure?" "Is there reciprocity in sharing stories?" "Might I being hearing a 'trauma dump' that makes the other person feel better but leaves me feeling worse?" "Have we progressed through Kelly's levels together or are we in different places?"

I always encourage others to share their story by sharing some of mine. I think it helps to normalize challenges and overcoming them. It also allows space to grow into a new version of one’s self.

Seek professional help: Work with a trained therapist or counselor experienced in trauma therapy. They can provide guidance and support tailored to your specific need Process emotions: Allow yourself to acknowledge, express, and process your emotions related to the trauma. This can be done through talking with a trusted person, journaling, or engaging in creative outlets such as art or music. Challenge negative beliefs: Explore and challenge any negative beliefs or self-blame that may have resulted from the trauma. Replace them with healthier, more empowering thoughts and affirmations. Sujan Kanti Das(61102) Registered psychologist of berufsverband deutscher psychologen

If you determine that you are on the same level of Kelly's stages or steps, think about: location (neutral, public to support containing emotions and time); time of day / length and set yourself a ten minute alert; do use open ended questions--and ask "is there more?" If you have open-ended time. Be comfortable with silence.

Indeed, contributing to progressive discussions that explore new ways forward to enable active adoption. Exploring suitable mechanics that maximise opportunities for all. Medical and scientific research will greatly benefit from this approach speeding adoption of key developments that so often require suitable education by key parties in readyness to ensure earliest adoption!

One thing I've found helpful is to invite them to unveil the chapters of their journey. Emphasise the power of shared experiences – whether for personal growth, mutual learning, or inspiring others. Encourage a narrative that resonates with resilience, wisdom, and the lessons that can illuminate paths for others. Leverage the strength of storytelling to foster connection and inspire others through shared experiences and valuable life lessons.

One of the most common fear that we have while sharing our story, is that of being judged, or made fun of. If you wish others to share their story, the first and the foremost requirement is to cater to the psychological safety of the person. Trust and Empathy plays a major role in letting the other person open up.

The key to doing this instantly is suspend everything you think you might want to say. That clever story, that special anecdote, that great teaching you have - are all secondary to what the person in front of you is saying. The only source material you have is what the speaker is presenting.

I so agree to this but I am so sorry to share than in my part of the world, and my state, there are people who can do anything to pop a pill at the drop of a hat. I am not against medication or therapy, but I am dead against the idea of suggesting medication to people who can very well recover through therapy and counselling. That is a malpractice followed here and of course countless social taboos that may take ages to be killed. But each step counts, and I am positive about accepting change.

Some ways to get started: One time at work - I smile at people randomly, say hi to students whom I have never spoken to, I study a bit, try to learn new things, talk to students and understand what they are experience. In my experience, I feel that every day, every moment is a learning experience for me. If I am low at one moment, I know I will have something to pull me up and shine the next moment. I do not force myself, but work consistently upon myself to go and grow with the flow. One thing I have found helpful is to analyze myself and others.

It may sound cliche, but actually listening to someone gets them to loosen up. This means that you listen without any preconceived notions or methods ( that will come later, if you’re skilled or so inclined). A person sharing their story is doing an emotionally challenging thing and is surprisingly quite sensitive to others’ emotive states. Furthermore, being sympathetic, or even empathetic would probably lead to an incomplete story. It sounds counterintuitive but the listener would show more empathy by not getting entangled and in the narrator’s emotions.

We often watch memes, movies, videos that we relate to and share accordingly. The first step to encourage someone to share their story is to make them feel that sharing is worth it. So share your stories, and you'll be surprised to see the responses. Share your stories, and let them know what did you learn and what went right and wrong and encourage participation that ways.

Sharing one's personal story helps demystify the challenges or awkwardness of a situation. It makes us more relatable, granting others strong permission and inviting them to share their own stories. Everyone has experiences to share, and often, they simply need that sense of relatability to encourage them to open up.

While we don’t want to make the conversation about ourselves, sharing our own story first can create a sense of belonging that helps the person feel safe enough to share their own story.

Sharing your own story can be a great way to connect and even the playing field. It changes the dynamic and makes you more approachable. By sharing what you faced you show that you're human and can genuinely relate to what a person is facing. Be careful though. There is a real risk of making the conversation about you, of shading their experience with yours, or of driving away a person because the story does not relate at all to the challenges they are facing. Using stories about yourself to build trust in a peer support scenario requires good judgement and should not be forced. That being said, demonstrating you made it through something similar can also provide added hope and motivation for the person you are helping!

The article has beautifully covered many relevant pointers.One thing I would like to add is the importance of listening unconditionally. Many times we do all of the above trying to tick mark all the boxes,but forget to just be there and provide a safe listening space.. Listening with complete attention, making the person feel heard will make the space more open for story sharing.

This is a great article touching on poignant aspects of sharing our stories. As a trauma survivor, I find that I tend to open up most when I feel someone is listening to understand me versus listening to reply. Often, people share their own stories with the intent of relating. However, this can come off as making the conversation about yourself. Instead: “Thank you for trusting me enough to share this with me. I’m honored.” “I’m holding space for you.” “I am here to listen.” Words of affirmation and support are some of the most healing moments I have had when conversing about my experiences. I do my best to also give this mindful listening when someone shares with me. 🙌🏻

I have found that being genuinely interested inspires people to open up. Some ways to do that are: Create a safe space by actively listening without judgment. Share your own experiences vulnerably, fostering a sense of trust. Ask open-ended questions that invite reflection and validate their feelings. Emphasize that their story matters and highlight the strength in vulnerability.