From Storytelling to Healing by Roxanne de la Rosa

I still have so much to learn about myself as a storyteller but through the experiences I’ve had, storytelling has felt very freeing for me. It has become an outlet for me to express myself and who I am as a person in a way that I never could before. Telling stories onstage is a feeling like no other. I recently told a story for Storytellers Project and I was so engrossed in my story that I lost track of time. It was truly a feeling I had not felt before; it felt like the story flowed out of me and it was as if the story deepened within me.

I rehearsed my story in front of an Arizona Republic coach before telling at the Storytellers Project and I received feedback on my story. My story was about how I struggled to accept myself and my struggle to speak Spanish growing up. I wasn’t sure if the feedback would improve my story, but I wanted to try it. The reaction I received at my next rehearsal when I integrated the suggestions by the coach were met with smiles and laughter. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I felt so much gratitude for the feedback. While receiving feedback from the coach he shared a personal story about his struggle to speak Spanish as well and he gave me an idea. I was able to incorporate it into my story which helped make my story even more meaningful. I feel that there is an exchange of energy when we tell and share stories even when we are just rehearsing them. Storytelling makes me feel connected to the people around me in a way that is truly unique.

Another aspect of being able to produce Storytellers Project is that I have the opportunity to help coach people through telling their own stories. A couple of the tellers were so nervous, and I was able to help and provide reassurance and guidance while coaching them. This felt immensely rewarding to be able to give back and seeing the reaction from the audience after hearing the tellers was an indescribable feeling of joy for me. I realized that I love coaching and helping tellers bring their stories to life. It feels just as good to help someone with their story as it does to tell.

Through sharing and telling stories I feel it can be used to chip away at some of the preconceived ideas and stereotypes we may each carry within us. As a budding journalist, storytelling is a way to add another layer of meaning into my work. I know the skills I have gained in Storytelling courses will only help me become a better listener and journalist. Storytelling can be used as a tool to break down barriers and misconceptions we may think about others without even recognizing them. Structuring and connecting the dots of my life to share my stories has healed me and helped me process some of the challenges I have faced in my life. Storytelling has become my therapy.

Comments

[Karen Burns]

Roxanne,Yes! All of this is true and insightful. I'd love to know more about your struggle with speaking Spanish as a child! And! Because you address that struggle makes this sentence that much more profound, "Storytelling can be used as a tool to break down barriers and misconceptions we may think about others without even recognizing them." In my experience as well, storytelling is the great equalizer.