This time we’re chatting with psychotherapist Tina Wright.

Hi, Tina! If you could recommend One Good Thing we can all do to benefit our mental health, what would it be?

Creating a personal timeline of stressful events can be a powerful exercise to foster self-compassion, helping you understand your experiences more kindly and holistically.

Interesting… why?

This personal timeline exercise is invaluable because it bridges the gap between self-reflection and compassion. By mapping out your history with objectivity, you’re able to see patterns, such as how stress has influenced both your mental and physical wellbeing. It’s not about ruminating on the past but instead recognising the resilience you’ve shown – and giving yourself credit for it. This practice encourages a kinder, more accepting view of yourself.

How do we do this exercise?

The exercise works by guiding you to note major stress points across your life. With each event, record your age, a brief description and any physical or emotional responses you experienced. This timeline gives you a clear, visual structure, which helps make connections you may not have previously considered. By looking back through this lens, you journal your reflections, then take an empathetic view by imagining a young person – like a child in your life – going through similar experiences. This can naturally bring compassion to your story, allowing you to see your strength and patience over time.

One Good Thing: why you should create a timeline of stressful events