Lifeline and Timelines

Lifelines in Social Care

In this activity the person use the idea of a 'line'to map out their life.

The 'line' can be a road, stairs, a spiral, etc. The line can be constructed with objects or by laying out the paper in a line. Ideas such as clocks or the seasons (the autumn/winter of ones life) also work well.

The purpose of the lifeline is to look back at one's life using the idea of a timeline; The beginning of the lifeline is birth, moving through all important or remembered events of one's life. Also the life line done in visual form provides a concrete form to which one can refer at a later point. The visual form also provides an accessible and communicative device when words or other expressions fail.
The lifeline can also be used to map out what ones would live from the future; goals, wishes, needs etc.

Visual Metaphors such as a clothesline provide an excellent opportunity to explore and extend meaning; for example the birth or beginning could be represented by a babygro and the events such as Communion by a white dress. An actual clothesline could also be used. Other metaphors could be a journey, the life cycle of an identified animal, and the cycle of the daytime; morning through to night-time.

This activity is especially helpful for anyone who needs to get a sense of who they are, what experiences they have had, and where they might be going in the future. Further discussion in an appropriate space can help to understand perceptions, deepen understanding, assess the meaning, and identity areas for change.

Using visual metaphors in artwork operate at a few different levels. On a basic level, the visual metaphors used in artwork can provide a visual representation of an abstract concept, like love or happiness, that can be easily understood by the viewer. On a deeper level, visual metaphors can be used to communicate complex ideas and emotions in a way that is more accessible and relatable. For example, an artist might use a visual metaphor of a rising sun to represent optimism and hope, or a visual metaphor of a stormy sky to represent turmoil or fear. Visual metaphors can also be used to create a narrative, like a story, within a single piece of artwork. This can create a unique, personal experience for the viewer, and can be used to explore complex topics in a creative and engaging way.

Themes can include:

Time - clocks, egg timers
Growth - Plants, trees, roots (family related), seeds being blown away in the wind (past events gone)
Travel - Paths, rivers, roads, turning points, crossroads, signposts, a train moving on tracks (with carriages being added all the time - extra baggage)
Puzzles - jig-saw (pieces coming together or falling apart)
Games - snakes and ladders (up and downs, life as a challenge),
Chains - Events linked together and overlapping
Books - life as chapters, turning over a new leaf/page
Seasons - life as a natural cycle of time
Steps - stepping stones in a river (a challenge), upwards or downwards
Stairs - climbing up - progression
Building - foundations, with the blocks of things learned or experienced on top
Biology - the heart and the heartbeat (up and down), the pulse line.
Countryside - hills, and mountains to climb
Balloons going up- life stages, 'letting go'

Personal Development: To explore ones life in order to get a sense of what events have taken place, to 'see' the events in a visual format, to plan or address possible future events, imagine and possibly plan future events.

Therapeutic setting: To focus and address issues by giving an overview of events in ones life, to offer clarity on past events so as to move forward, and to give life events meaning in the context of the present, provide a visual format for commuication of one own view on heir life.

Therapy setting (with a therapist): To give a visual format to past life events, to help focus in on events that have particular relevance or meaning in the context of present day difficulties, to address unconscious magnifications present within the presentation of events; forgotten events or 'remembered' events, examine perceptions of events perhaps over time, to address patterns of events and linked events that may offer deep insight leading to change and relief of distress and difficulties.