Taking stock of my experiences over time

A timeline creates a graphic picture of your life (or a period in your life) that will help you to identify the ups and downs, and also any patterns or recurring themes that you may not be aware of.

It can be very difficult to look back over our life or our experiences; for some people, this may bring to mind some issues or memories that they would rather not confront. If you find this activity distressing, you may want to omit it or discuss it with someone you trust. Remember, you can also select which areas of your life you want to focus on. In this section we have created carers’ timelines using the website bubbl.us.

In Activity 2.2 we suggest you may like to use this website to create your own timeline. Note, however, that although bubbl.us is free, users are required to sign for an account. (Bubbl.us is not an Open University website and the OU is not responsible for third party websites such as this or the information you choose to share with them.)

Bubbl.us [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] has instructions on how to use this free online tool. If you’d rather not use this resource don’t worry, pen and paper will do just as well. You might have other ideas of how to create a timeline.

Before you create your own timeline, look at examples of other carers’ timelines.

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Figure 2.2 Lesley’s timeline

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Text boxes connected by lines illustrate Lesley’s experiences over time. Content and position of boxes are listed as they appear from left to right.

Trained to be a nurse in London; Travelled and lived in Turkey for a year; Moved to Scotland where parents had relocated from Kent; Worked as a nurse in Dumfries 1994-2004, married and had children. Two boxes positioned lower down suggest low points: Daughter ill, meant a lot of time travelling to hospitals, juggling work; Son diagnosed with disabilities, impossible to work and be a full-time carer. Timeline continues: Worked in retail part-time 2004-2007; Volunteered while son at school; Regular support from carers centre and carers; Separated from partner, financial challenges; Back and joint problems worsened. Two boxes positioned higher up suggest high points: Started Open University course; Started business studies course.

Figure 2.2 Lesley’s timeline

Lesley’s timeline begins when she starts her career as a nurse. The first few bubbles illustrate positive experiences occurring over time (left to right) as she gains experience and progresses in her career.

Then Lesley’s life becomes more complicated. She is married and has children, but is also reacting to some new and difficult challenges. These are shown below the centre line.

The last part of this timeline shows how difficult experiences are happening almost at the same time as positive events. Lesley is still a carer, with her own health problems and financial challenges, but she also has some ‘ups’. She has been able to make her own choices and enjoy new challenges including completing an Open University course and starting a business studies course. Timelines don’t always progress in ups and downs. Sometimes ups and downs can be happening at the same time, as these boxes show.

Now have a look at Scott’s timeline.

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Figure 2.3 Scott’s timeline

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Text boxes connected by lines illustrate Scott’s experiences over time. Boxes on the left are in the past. Boxes to the right describe Scott’s present. Content of boxes is listed as they appear from left to right, separated by semi-colons.

Left school 2010; Volunteering with children’s organisations; Personal and family troubles; College 2010-2014, completed NPA childcare, began HNC in Social Care 2013; Support from college counsellor, 2012. Box positioned higher up suggests high point: Completing charity fundraising physical challenges ongoing since school. Timeline continues: Support from young adult care worker and other young adult carers 2013; Ongoing college placements, including adults with learning disabilities, 2014; Cleaning job at carers centre since 2013; Box positioned higher up suggests high point: Advocate for carers at national events since 2013.

Figure 2.3 Scott’s timeline

Scott left school and started college, which he continues to enjoy. College is an ‘up’ compared to school, so college is positioned slightly higher. While at school and then starting out at college he had some difficult personal and family times. This box is lower indicating a ‘down’.

Throughout these personal challenges Scott continued to make progress with his studies, moving from few qualifications via a National Progression Award (NPA) in Childcare to working on a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Social Care. This large middle box shows this experience is still continuing.

The volunteering and fundraising boxes are ‘ups’ that he often chooses to do.

The support he gained from a college counsellor and the young adult carers support worker and other carers have been high points and these points in his timeline have led to further positive experiences as the boxes show by moving up and to the right.