Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

When Did You Last Have a Meaningful Conversation?

The internet is a wonderful thing, but the abundance of technology — from smartphones and watches to e-readers — means that these devices are increasingly luring people away from a good old-fashioned, face-to-face conversation.

With this in mind, we commissioned research to explore the impact the Digital Age is having on the art of storytelling; that is, of listening and speaking to each other. The results paint a picture of a nation that no longer shares their experiences in an authentic way. We found that 4 million people in the UK admitted that they can’t remember the last time they had a meaningful conversation with someone that didn’t take place online.

A Nation Glued to Screens

According to Ofcom, British people spend an average of 24 hours each week online, with one in five people indulging in at least 40 hours of screen time per week. The advent of technology has made life easier, but living in a faster and more convenient world has very real ramifications. More than half of British people admit that connected devices interrupt face-to-face conversations with friends and family. If you’ve ever anticipated catching up with loved ones over dinner only to have it ruined by the beeping and buzzing of phones, you know just how incessant technology’s demands can be.

At StoryTerrace, we're interested in how the rise of technology affects the way humans interact with each other. Our research shows that speaking and listening might be becoming obsolete in today’s society. But that would be a real shame, since direct conversation is a vital pillar of mental and emotional health.

Technology's Effect on Mental Health

Beyond being an annoyance, is over-reliance on technology and neglecting of real life interaction making people lonelier?

The lack of face-to-face interaction in the daily lives of Brits is having a profound impact on mental wellbeing. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 17% of adults in the UK cite the lack of real-life communication and community as one of the key drivers of their psychological challenges.

This begs a few key questions. Is the art of the conversation dying? What are the consequences of not sharing experiences with friends and family? And how can we keep our stories alive in a digital age?

Our research caught the attention of the Samaritans and Happiful magazine. Here writer Becky Wright pointed out that, while millennials are the most technologically savvy generation, they are also the loneliest and more susceptible to mental illness as result of their digital lifestyles.

Here’s what’s clear: Technology has enhanced many aspects of modern life, but authentic speaking and listening are still key for a happy, healthy nation.

As StoryTerrace founder and CEO Rutger Bruining says:

**"Communication is vital to our health, wellbeing and overall happiness; it is a basic human need to seek out contact and interaction with others. Yet our research has shown that many of us are going weeks or even months without having a proper conversation with anyone. There are several reasons to which we can attribute this decline in communication, but one of the key factors is that, in today's content and celebrity culture, many people simply believe that their tales just aren't worth telling.

At StoryTerrace however, we've found that if you ask the right questions, everyone's life is interesting. You don't have to be a celebrity or politician to have a story worth capturing. Many people have made interesting life choices, pursued their dreams leading to incredible stories of failure and success, endured adversity, explored the world, contributed to their family and community, and been part of history as it happened. These stories spark deeper connections and are treasured by relatives when they are recorded."**

Keeping Family Stories Alive

Our research also delved into the importance of sharing family stories despite the proliferation of screen time. When family members speak, they pass along wisdom and a sense of connection that binds generations to each other in a meaningful way.

We found that almost one in four people know of incredible legacies or unsung heroes in their family that only a few people are aware of. What's more, three in 10 of those surveyed believe such historical heroes in their family will be distant memories in the near future because their legacy is left undocumented.

What really stands out: Over 7.5 million people haven’t taken the time to reflect on their life and what they’ve managed to achieve through the years. This self-reflection can be incredibly rewarding, and preserving your story for future generations ensures that they won’t be left wondering about all the things you wanted them to know.

Documenting your life is truly a gift for future generations. What better way to do it than by turning the story of your life into a book? At StoryTerrace, we believe your story is worth telling. That’s why we’ve helped thousands of people to capture their life story in their very own book.

Together, let's keep speaking. Let's keep listening. And let’s keep celebrating stories that deserve to be told time and time again.

For more information on how to keep your story alive with a StoryTerrace book, Contact us to schedule a free consultation, or sign up for our newsletter to receive more original content from us!

A brand new year — actually, a whole new decade — is just around the corner. If you're like most people, it's time to make a New Year's resolution to help you make 2020 better.

What "better" means is a matter of personal opinion, of course, but it certainly seems that resolutions should be designed to make people happier with their lives. Whether that's accomplished by getting slimmer, healthier, or learning a new skill, we make all kinds of promises to ourselves as the clock strikes midnight on December 31.

This all got us to thinking: What New Year's resolutions are best for true happiness? Because anecdotally, all those January diets and trips to the gym don't look all that fun. What should we be focused on to make the new year more joyful?

The Current State of New Year's Resolutions

According to a YouGov poll, only 32% of Americans opt out of making resolutions, which means that just over two-thirds will commit to making some type of change on January 1. The most popular resolutions are:

1. Eat healthier
2. Exercise more
3. Save money
4. Self-care
5. Read more

Unfortunately, British psychologist Richard Wiseman has found that a whopping 88% of resolutions end in failure. According to Time magazine, the five resolutions most likely to be broken are:

1. Lose weight and get in shape
2. Quit smoking
3. Learn something new
4. Eat healthier
5. Get out of debt and save money

Ouch. A quick comparison of these lists shows that the most popular resolutions are generally the ones most likely to be broken.

Why So Many Resolutions Fail

The first big stumbling block for many people is the tendency to make a long list of resolutions. If you plan to attack every area of your life at once, you'll quickly grow distracted. That's because the same part of your brain that handles willpower — the frontal cortex — is also in charge of focus, short-term memory, and decision-making. If you overload it with a long list of resolutions, your willpower will give out from fatigue.

Resolution Fix: Pick just one important goal to work on at a time.

Motivation is also another important factor. Research shows that there are two kinds of motivation that make you more likely to follow through on your resolutions: intrinsic motivation and identified motivation.

Intrinsic motivation is when you do something because you genuinely enjoy it. This is why goals like reading more or pursuing a new hobby aren't on the list of failure-prone promises. Obviously, quitting smoking and following a restrictive diet are less naturally enjoyable, so they're harder to accomplish.

That's where identified motivation comes into play. Identified motivation means internalising your resolution to the point where you see yourself as the kind of person who exercises daily. If you can convince yourself to think of your whole identity in a new way, you're more likely to succeed at your resolution. For example, resolve to become the kind of person who meditates every day, not just to meditate more.

Resolution Fix: Rewrite your goal to be not just about what you do, but who you are.

4 Resolutions to Try for a Happier New Year

There's also a good deal of scientific research devoted to human happiness. In particular, an 80-year longitudinal study of human development at Harvard found that the single biggest key to happiness is connecting with others. Robert J. Waldinger, the current leader of the still-ongoing research, sums it up nicely:

"The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period."

With that in mind, we thought we'd share some suggestions for a New Year’s resolution that's the most likely to bring you joy:

1. Volunteer for Charity

Giving feels great, and volunteering in person is one of the best ways to foster new connections and cure loneliness. In a recent UK survey, two-thirds of people reported feeling less lonely after they began volunteering. Even just an hour or two a week can make a big difference. As a bonus, this resolution will help other people, too.

2. Limit Your Screen Time

New studies have shown that the more time people spend on social media, the less happy they are. Whether that's due to feelings of inadequacy when you compare your life to the amazing photos on Instagram or a tendency to get dragged into Facebook arguments, the bottom line is that time spent staring at your phone is less time to spend with the people you love in person.

3. Save Money for Experiences, Not Things

If saving money is your preferred resolution, tweak it to bring more joy by focusing your savings goals on experiences you can share with friends and family. People who spend their cash on experiences report greater happiness, and the memories they make bring satisfaction for far longer than a new car or house.

4. Write Your Life Story

One amazing way to nurture your most important connections is to honor your friends and family in writing. Tell the story of all they've done for you and why you love them, and then share it with them in a beautiful book. This is a great way to express gratitude — another happiness-boosting practice.

If writing your life story — or giving the gift of an autobiography to a loved one — sounds like it would bring you joy in the coming year, we'd love to help. StoryTerrace makes it easy to get started by connecting you with a professional biographer and design team to turn your memories into a memoir that will stand the test of time.

Reach out to get started today or sign up for our newsletter.

Your Life Story by Decade

Over the summer, the Washington Post published “Books for the Ages: The Best Books to Read at Every Age, From 1 to 100,” a comprehensive list of great novels and stories to read throughout a lifespan. Each book is selected to speak to readers of a particular age, so there's truly something for everyone. We've updated our reading lists accordingly!

The idea that there's a book for every age also got us thinking: What stories should people be telling at every age?

At StoryTerrace, we believe that everyone has a story to tell. While our mission was originally inspired by the desire not to let family stories die as older generations passed on, that doesn't mean that you have to reach a certain age to have a story worth writing. Young or old, you have something to say.

Your 20s: Your Coming of Age Story

The passage from childhood to adulthood is often marked by a graduation ceremony, but the journey is so much more than formal schooling. In your 20s, you're young enough to remember your childhood clearly, so it's the perfect time to get all those moments on paper while the details are fairly fresh. Your coming-of-age story can also describe overcoming the challenges of adolescence and the joys of finding your real self as a young adult — all inspiring topics for future readers!

Your 30s: The Ups and Downs of Parenting

If you're raising a family of your own, now is the time to preserve all those little stories about your children before they get lost in the whirlwind — you'll only get busier as your children grow up! From cathartic birth stories to a collection of funny moments and photos, books about your young family will be something you turn to again and again. Someday your grandchildren will thank you for this look at their parents' childhoods, too.

Your 40s: Your Lifestyle Manual

By the time you reach your 40s, you've likely hit your stride. You are who you are, and you've learned a lot about life along the way. So share it! This could be a collection of stories and related advice about health, relationships, personal discovery, or lessons you've learned in your profession. You earned your knowledge the hard way, and what you know is definitely worth sharing.

Not sure how to make your life lessons compelling for an audience? Check out a sample chapter from German Lam's autobiography to get inspired.

Your 50s: The Story of Your Career

Whether you've worked your way up to the top of the corporate ladder or have cobbled together a varied and inspired freelance career, by the time you reach your 50s, you've seen it all. Don't let your vast knowledge of your field go to waste! You can share your expertise with others, position yourself as a mentor to novices, or launch a second life as a consultant with a detailed book about your expertise.

Your 60s: Memories for Your Grandchildren

They say that being a grandparent is your reward for making it through the first round of parenting, so enjoy it! Children love to hear about "olden times," so this is the perfect time to write down stories of your childhood to entertain and educate your grandchildren. This is a wonderful way to bind generations together, and it's especially nice for families that live far apart to connect in a meaningful way.

Your 70s and Beyond: Your Complete Memoirs

Now that you're old — and we mean that in the best way! — you've lived long enough to gain perspective on your life as a whole. Now's the time to commit to a full autobiography that preserves your life story for your descendants. You can use your book to tell your family history or to share your personal journey. The words you write today will be passed down to future generations, so they can look back at your life and times with a deeper, richer understanding.

No matter what your age, you have a story to tell! StoryTerrace can help you get started, from the initial idea for your book to an interview with a professional author and final hardcover design.

Contact us today to get started on the story of your life. Sign up for our newsletter to receive more original content from us!

We’ve been inspired by the wave of older influencers who are proving that, when it comes to living a vibrant life, age is just a number. From Instagram fashion icons in their 90s to the wisdom being captured in books and viral articles, the demand is high to soak up the knowledge and experience of those who have lived full lives. Here, we celebrate the bold ones who are redefining what it means to thrive in old age and showing younger generations how to take life by the reins.

Old Age: The New Frontier

A misplaced fear of ageing inspired two women in their 30s to start a website celebrating inspirational older people. Dominique Afacan and Helen Cathcart created the website Bolder because, in their own words:

"Old age to us was an unhappy place, mostly filled with loneliness, rocking chairs and possibly some tea and biscuits, if we were lucky. ... When was old age going to knock on the door and tell us the fun was over? About 70, we reckoned, and together, we set about finding people in that bracket who made old age look more appealing.”

The authors found just that. Eventually, they went on to publish their book Bolder: Life Lessons From People Older and Wiser Than You. It’s full of stories of intriguing older people, including a woman who fell in love and married at the age of 82 and a man who at 85 has enviable energy, swimming a mile every morning in the Mediterranean Sea. Nearly all of the interviewees are still working or creating in some way. Crucially, some of them say the happiest time of their life is right now, not their younger days.

Style Is an Attitude

The fashion world has become far more inclusive, thanks to an explosion of older Instagram influencers who are defying stereotypes. Anything but boring and beige, these stylish pioneers are proving that opportunities to express yourself only increase with age.

The inimitable Iris Apfel is the world’s oldest fashion icon at the age of 97 and lives her life with some serious sass. Apfel found fame at 83, when her irreverent and outlandish style caught the attention of the Costume Institute’s 2004 exhibition at The Museum of Metropolitan Art.

Working with fashion brands and regularly updating her 1.4 million Instagram followers, Apfel has become a leading figure in the fight against ageism in the fashion industry. She's even the subject of a documentary about her life. A living legend, she believes in living life to the fullest:

“I'm just inspired by being alive and breathing and meeting people and talking to people and doing things and absorbing what's happening."

“If I could remain one age forever, I wouldn’t. I don’t believe in that.” - Iris Apfel on Instagram

Meanwhile, sexagenarian jewellery designer Sarah Jane Adams — aka @mywrinklesaremystripes — has accumulated 24,000 followers on Instagram and boldly conveys her unconventional approach to ageing on her account. In her own words:

"My wrinkles do not scare me; they show me and therefore my experience. Hopefully there is a little wisdom which comes with these stripes. I see them as a badge of honour and a mark of roads traveled and experiences had. Why would I not be proud and happy to show them?"

Sarah Jane Adams photographed at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney for the Guardian Australia (Photos by Jessica Hromas)

Life Lessons From Those Who’ve Really Lived

With advanced age comes greater wisdom, and nowhere is this more clear than in the viral article The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying. In it, Australian palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware provided a sobering perspective on life that only comes with being faced with the end of it. Consider the top regrets:

• I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
• I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
• I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
• I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
• I wish I’d let myself be happier.

This thought-provoking article underlined the importance of making the most of life at every age. Reprioritising now, while there’s still precious time for living, can save plenty of heartache later. The biggest takeaway is that spending time with loved ones and living life on your own terms are the keys to happiness. Life is temporary, so live boldly, continue to share your stories, and stay connected to what makes you feel most alive.

At StoryTerrace, we celebrate old age and believe everyone has a story worth telling. That’s why we’re on a mission to help 1 million people turn their life stories into books to be passed down through generations.

For more information on how to turn your life story into a StoryTerrace book, click here, or sign up for our newsletter.

Senior Writer

Rhiannon Hart is a novelist and biographer. Before turning her attention to writing full time, she worked in marketing communications in the publishing industry.

Rhiannon is a history buff who has been fascinated by family histories ever since learning more about her own — she descended from Cornish and German ancestors who arrived in Australia in the nineteenth century and great-grandparents who lived in India during the British Raj.

Originally from Melbourne, Rhiannon now lives in London.

ST: When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

When I was 14 and started writing fan fiction for my favourite TV shows at the time (Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess). At university, I started writing original stories and then enrolled in a professional writing course and published my first novel in 2011.

ST: Whose biography would you most like to write?

My fellow Australian, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?

How honest and open people can be with a complete stranger and welcome you into their home, and how time flies when you’re hearing about people’s lives. Everyone truly does have a book in them.

ST: What is the most memorable story you've told as a writer?

One that was very painful for the client to talk about but helped her immensely to get down on paper. I like to imagine that every book I work on with StoryTerrace gives people value and perspective, but with some I can feel it happening, and it’s wonderful.

ST: What is your biggest fear?

Not backing up my work [on my computer] and losing it!

ST: Consider your life story. What's the name of the chapter you're in right now?

She Falls Down. I’ve just started learning figure skating!

ST: What's something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

I play a lot of video games set in space when I have the time.

ST: If you hadn't become a writer, what career would you have right now?

A dancer and then a choreographer would have been so much fun. I used to do ballet from age 3 to about 12, and I’ve always loved to dance.

Rhiannon at age 9 during a ballet performance in 1993. Rhiannon is fourth from the right, kneeling.

ST: What is your most treasured possession?

My passports. I love to travel and belong to both the UK and Australia.

ST: What fictional character do you most identify with?

Ellen Ripley from Alien. I also would have gone back for the cat. Also, she’s awesome.

ST: If you could have been born in any time or place, what would you choose?

The Regency would have been fun, but only to visit as I’m very fond of toothpaste and vaccines.

ST: Who is your hero?

Jane Eyre. Life throws so much at her but her sense of self and her kindness are never shaken.

Lightning Round!

ST: Introvert or extrovert?

Extrovert

ST: Morning lark or night owl?

Morning lark

ST: Paperback or e-reader?

Both!

ST: Vintage or modern?

Vintage

ST: City or country?

Country

Enjoyed hearing from our writer? Get in touch to schedule a free consultation, or sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest stories and updates.

Thanksgiving is around the corner in the US and, if you choose to celebrate it here in the UK, it will soon be time to calculate exactly how many pounds of turkey you need for each person at your table and whether it's worth getting up at the crack of dawn the next day for some Black Friday shopping.

The fourth Thursday in November is often seen as the opening act for the big December holidays, but Thanksgiving, which this year will be celebrated on the 28th November, is an important day in its own right, inviting us all to pause and consider all that we have.

It is the one day of the year dedicated to focusing on gratitude—something that most people could stand to do more of.

The Benefits of Gratitude

When the Puritans held the first Thanksgiving in Massachusetts, they weren't necessarily thinking about their mental health. But gratitude has a way of creating an upward spiral of good feelings that reinforces itself. When you take a moment to feel grateful for the good things in your life, you feel good. When you feel good, you have more to feel grateful for. And so it goes.

Researchers have found that gratitude is tied to all sorts of positive outcomes for both physical and mental health. Proven benefits of gratitude include:

• Improved relationships with others
• Increased feelings of happiness
• Higher self-esteem
• Better resilience in the face of difficulty
• Reduced odds of depression
• Lower ratings of aggression and envy
• Better decision-making skills
• Improved self-care skills
• Increased willpower
• Improved sleep
• Fewer aches and pains

How to Cultivate Gratitude in Everyday Life

With all of the remarkable benefits of gratitude, why don't more people make a point to nurture these feelings and express their thanks?

Like anything else, gratitude takes time.

When you're busy working, caring for children or aging parents, doing housework, volunteering and — gasp! — trying to find a minute to unwind, it's hard to focus on how fortunate you are. But gratitude requires a quiet moment to reflect on exactly what you have and to feel the warm feelings of thankfulness. It's a mindful activity.

Fortunately, a gratitude practice doesn't have to take long. The important thing is to do it regularly. Try these ideas to get started.

Meditation

If you struggle to slow down and appreciate the little things, adding a meditation practice to your routine can help you focus on gratitude. A meditation app can get you started for as little as 10 minutes a day, and many have guided sessions designed to help you lean into feelings of gratitude.

Journaling

Psychologists recommend keeping a gratitude journal to help you focus on all the little things that you have to be thankful for. This exercise takes only a few minutes, and all you have to do is review your day for something that brought you joy. Then write it down! Try describing what you are grateful for as well as how it made you feel to help you emotionally relive the moment.

Pro Tip: Keep your gratitude journal on your bedside table so that warm, positive feelings are the last thing you think about before you drift off to sleep.

Say Thank You

As you develop your capacity for gratitude, it's important to shift your practice from an internal one to something you share with others. One University of Pennsylvania study showed that writing a letter of gratitude to someone did more to boost happiness than any other act. You can start by simply saying thank you to people throughout your day for acts large and small.

Share the Love

Once you begin to exercise your gratitude muscles, it's common to find that feeling thankful becomes a habit. As you change your outlook, you may realize that there are people in your life who have done so much for you that it can feel impossible to express your feelings in a meaningful way. How can you possibly thank a parent or grandparent for a lifetime of support and care?

Chuck Reynolds holding his finished StoryTerrace book

At StoryTerrace, we believe that the opportunity to tell a life story is the most meaningful gift you can give. One of the best ways to show your gratitude to a parent is by showing an interest in all that they've done — including the things you never noticed or thought of before. A StoryTerrace biography gives your loved ones an opportunity to tell the story of their life to a professional biographer. Many of our clients find this process therapeutic, and they marvel at the sense of perspective and clarity that telling their story brings. It's a gift that brings families closer as they learn about themselves and each other through the storytelling process.

This Thanksgiving, as you take the time to feel grateful around the table with friends and family, consider all the ways you can continue to nurture those feelings throughout the year.

If StoryTerrace can help you express your gratitude to your parents or another loved one, please reach out. We'd love to help you to say "thank you" in the most meaningful way possible. If you enjoyed reading this, sign up for our newsletter so we can keep sharing tips, stories, and other exciting content with you.

Critically Acclaimed Writer

Kelly Boyer Sagert is a full-time writer who has published 18 books and scripted numerous plays. She’s also the author of the script for Trail Magic: The Grandma Gatewood Story, which was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award (Best Documentary, Historical) and just won a prestigious Chagrin Documentary Film Festival Award. The Trail Magic team is now working on a film about Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president of the United States—in 1872. She lives in Lorain, Ohio.

ST: When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

Kelly: As a child, I was always writing stories and sharing them with friends. My first masterpiece was a play I wrote in Year 7 titled “Haunted House Mystery” that was a rip-off of every Scooby-Doo episode ever written, featuring kids from our neighbourhood. When I was in my twenties and pregnant with our first son, I realised, like a bolt of lightning, that I wanted to write for a living.

ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?

Kelly: I love meeting the people whose memoirs I’ll craft, hearing the stories of their lives. Often, they don’t realise how amazing they—meaning the people and their life stories—really are.

ST: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Kelly: Being cosy at home with my family. We’ve got a big sports game on television and I’m reading a mystery novel during the adverts.

ST: What trait do you admire most in others?

Kelly: Empathy.

ST: If you hadn't become a writer, what career would you have right now?

Kelly: Archaeologist, as long as I would always have access to flush toilets.

ST: What is your most treasured possession?

Kelly: My books!

ST: Who are your favorite writers?

Kelly: Agatha Christie and Drew Gilpin Faust.

ST: What fictional character do you most identify with?

Kelly: Growing up, it was Trixie Belden, who bravely solved mysteries with her siblings and friends.

ST: If you were writing a StoryTerrace book of your life, what would be the title and why?

Kelly: Funeral Home Girl Picks Up Her Pen. As a young child, I lived in the funeral home where my father worked, which had a significant influence on me. During that time—and ever since—I spent plenty of time quietly reading. So, it was a natural transition that I began wanting to write my own stories.

ST: Who is your hero?

Kelly: The person who is kind to people without expecting those acts to be known or praised. It’s all about paying it forward.

ST: What is your motto?

Kelly: This is more a mantra: grace, peace, light, love, forgiveness, and joy.

ST: What is at the heart of what matters most to you about writing?

Kelly: Speaking the name! I believe that names are important, and so is the process of naming. I even titled my first poetry chapbook Speak the Name to honour the names of people whose lives are in danger of being lost in the mists of time.

Lightning Round!

ST: Dogs or cats?

Kelly: Both!

ST: Salty or sweet?

Kelly: Sweet

ST: Truth or dare?

Kelly: Truth

ST: Paperback or e-reader?

Kelly: Paperback

ST: X-ray vision or time travel?

Kelly: Time travel, as long as I can take motion sickness medicine first.

If you've been inspired to write your story, get in touch to schedule a free consultation, or sign up for our newsletter to hear more personal stories from our customers and writers alike.

We were happy to see the recent news that physical books continue to be more popular than e-books. The Association of American Publishers has announced that print books accounted for $22.6 billion in sales last year, while e-books came in second place with $2.04 billion. Despite living in a digital age where many people — ourselves included! — seem unable to put down all those phones and devices, the reliable old book continues to stand the test of time.

Why might that be? It turns out that physical books have several benefits that e-readers just can’t match.

Physical Books: A Better Reading Experience

Norway's Stavanger University found that the act of reading physical books actually allows for a deeper reading journey. The study’s "paper readers" reported higher empathy and immersion into their books than iPad readers did. The research also suggests that using an e-reader like a Kindle "does not provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does."

The type of book you read also affects how your brain processes the information, according to Maryanne Wolf. In her book Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World, she explains that when parents choose to read e-books to young children, "their interactions frequently center on the more mechanical and more game-like aspects of e-books, rather than the content and the words and ideas in the stories." Physical books keep the focus on concepts and language development, making them a better choice for children — and probably for adults, too!

The benefits of reading a physical book over an e-book also extend to your health: choosing the paper version can improve your sleep. Looking at digital devices at nighttime can potentially prevent you from drifting off. This is due to the blue light the screens emit, which affects the body’s production of the sleep hormone melatonin. To avoid feeling groggy in the morning, put down the screen and pick up the paperback.

Beyond the Science: Why Physical Books Matter

Physical books represent something substantial and solid in a fast-moving world. Many people are addicted to their phones, and especially to social media, where they are bombarded with information from the moment they wake up to the time they rest their heads at night. Yet there’s nothing quite like the joy of holding a book between your hands, delving deep into a new world between its pages and soaking up its words. Reading a traditional book becomes almost a ritual, a sacred act that helps shut out the noise of technology.

Journalist Williams Giraldi puts it beautifully in his defense of physical books:

"For many of us, our book collections are, in at least one major way, tantamount to our children — they are manifestations of our identity, embodiments of our selfhood; they are a dynamic interior heftily externalised, a sensibility, a worldview defined and objectified. For readers, what they read is where they’ve been, and their collections are evidence of the trek."

With this in mind, can a file on a computer ever really compare to a beautiful, book-laden coffee table or a lovingly curated bookshelf taking pride of place? Can browsing through websites for the next great read ever live up to spending hours pouring over pages in a bookshop? Can reading a child their bedtime story from a phone ever match the feeling of flicking of their fingers through a book of their very own?

There is something so comforting about the smell of the pages of a book and about writing notes or underlining passages that mean something to you. It's one of those simple pleasures in life that help to keep you grounded. Passing an e-book on to a friend just doesn’t match up to the significance of lending a much-loved physical book that has been read and enjoyed again and again. And let's not forget the joy of the holiday book: sand and e-readers do not mix so well.

Books to Last a Lifetime

At StoryTerrace, we specialise in creating books to capture your life story. In fact, we’re on a mission to turn 1 million people’s lives into books. You can see more about how we do it here.

Why do we do it?

Because we believe in the inherent value of books as tangible objects that can be passed down as cherished heirlooms for years to come. The book represents something solid and reassuringly analog that can be relied upon in an ever-changing digital world. And when those books are filled with your one-of-a-kind story, it’s magical.

As the pace of life continues to accelerate thanks to technology, you can always rely on the trusty book to represent something timeless. After all, you never have to worry about your book running out of battery!

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"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." — Marcus Garvey, Jamaican-born activist, journalist, and orator

How well do you know your family history? Have you ever explored where you came from, beyond your immediate nearest and dearest? Now could be the perfect time to begin your journey. Getting to know your ancestors can help you understand where you came from and give context to your life.

But those aren't the only benefits — here are six more reasons why you should explore your family history.

1. It Brings You Closer to Family

When you begin your family history journey, you may end up discovering new family members all over the world. This moving video tells the story of a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor who believed his entire family had died in the war, only to discover he had a nephew who was alive and well.

2. It Boosts Emotional Health

Did you know that having a strong family narrative positively impacts emotional health? Research from psychologists at Emory University in Atlanta asked 48 families 20 questions about their family history. They found that the more children knew about their families, the stronger their sense of control over their lives. They also had higher self-esteem and believed their families functioned more successfully.

“Hearing these stories gave the children a sense of their history and a strong ‘intergenerational self’. Even if they were only nine, their identity stretched back 100 years, giving them connection, strength, and resilience,” said psychologists Marshall Duke and Robyn Fivush.

3. It Increases Compassion

When we understand where we come from, we can understand our place in the world. By learning about the hardships our ancestors encountered, we can become more understanding of the inevitable ups and downs we all face and encouraged to keep the faith when times are hard. Knowing our family history can also help us to appreciate different cultures and open our minds. If you discovered you were related to someone from a different part of the world, what better excuse to go explore and get in touch with your roots?

4. It Empowers Decisions About Your Health

Knowing your family health history can help raise awareness about your risks of developing the same problems. This will empower you to look after your own health to prevent issues — whether that means changes to your diet or speaking to a family doctor about your next steps.

5. It Provides a Deeper Understanding of Cultures and Traditions

It can be fun to discover how your ancestors and wider family celebrated different events. Whether they were from a different cultural background or religion, your newfound knowledge can help expand your horizons and strengthen your understanding of your own beliefs. Delving into your family history can help you discover what exactly makes you you.

6. It Can be Passed Down to Future Generations

Once you learn about your ancestors, a StoryTerrace book is the perfect way to preserve your family history for generations to come. We have hand-picked our team of experienced writers — many of whom are award-winning and critically acclaimed — who will dedicate themselves to telling your story. From arranging interviews to collating your photos, we manage the whole experience to be 100% stress-free for you. You’ll be able to preserve your life story in a beautiful way that will be treasured by future generations. Find out more here.

“StoryTerrace made my dream become a reality. I really enjoyed the whole experience, and the book is absolutely fantastic. It's wonderful that my late parent's story is finally in print and that the books will be passed down to future generations so that they will get to know their family history. A big thank you to Emily, Louise, Alice, David and everyone that helped work on the book.” - Audrey, StoryTerrace customer

For more details, sign up for our newsletter or contact us today to talk about how we can help capture your life story.