Storytelling As a Means of Positive Ageing: Narrative Identity Construction in Older Adults’ Life Stories

Population ageing is an important trend in the contemporary world. The number of older people is increasing in most countries; the market of goods oriented at them is growing; they are visible in many spheres, from healthcare and social services to retirement housing, tourism, and recreational activities. Yet, ageing is a complex and ambivalent process and experience. Life meaning may feel problematic: older adults knew who they were when they were working and raising children, but what about now? Through reflection and creativity, the enhancement of life meaning can be facilitated. Telling stories of one’s life, by means of keeping a diary, writing memoirs, autobiographical prose or poetry, engaging in practices of guided autobiography in special settings may prove a powerful tool. It can allow the storytellers to feel inspired, look at their life from different angles, perceive it within a larger picture, see its importance and future perspective. (Self-)irony can lift the people’s spirits and make them feel less serious about themselves and their own mortality. The present research studies how telling their life stories helps Russian older amateur writers improve their old-age experience. This is achieved: 1) by looking into how in their stories, meaning is made of oneself, one’s life, age, and the aging process, whether, inside the stories, the authors feel confident and fine about themselves and their life (however positive or negative the reminiscences themselves may be); 2) by studying their interviews, comments, replies to followers, introductions to their autobiographies, etc., in order to see how telling their life stories lets them share their experiences, better understand themselves, find the good in their life.