Drawing lifeline

All pupils/students will start working on creating their own lifeline (source).


Drawing a lifeline can help you gain insight into important subjects and connections in your life. On a lifeline you draw important periods and moments, both positive and negative. To make your own lifeline you need a number of things. First of all, it is nice to sit down for it in a quiet place; you need time. In addition, you need these instructions, a white sheet of paper and pens/markers in different colors.

Step-by-step plan

Step 1 Have a brainstorm session with yourself. Take at least ten to fifteen minutes to write down all the important moments in your life. Think of highs and lows, but also calm, stable periods in your life. It is good to remember that these are moments or periods that were important to you, other people's opinions do not matter. So write down everything that comes to mind. 

Step 2 Now draw a line in the middle of a (large) sheet. Then divide the line into periods of one year. First make one general life line (see the example below). Then, for each part of your life (family, friends, school, hobby, sport, health, etc.) draw a different (colored) line (see the other example below). Here too, there is no right or wrong. Then give the events from step 1 a place on the life line. The further the point is above or below the line, the more drastic/important this event has been for you. Then connect the points with each other, either in one line, or in multiple colored lines to distinguish the different domains. Below you see two examples of this.

Step 3 Now that you have drawn your lifeline(s), it is time to take a closer look at them. Look at what you notice in the shape of the line(s). Do you recognize a pattern or connection?

If you have drawn multiple lines, you can check whether the lines touch, cross or are parallel. Also look at the highs and lows. What made these highs and lows for you? What did you take away from this?

And also: what are the most important themes from the lifeline(s) for you? Write a summary of your findings about your lifeline(s). What do you take away from this exercise? Mention everything in your Personal Mastery journal.

Step 4 Share your lifeline with one or two friends/girlfriends/classmates (if this feels safe enough for you). Explain to each other how your lifelines run and what the causes are. Ask questions if something is not clear enough. Have understanding and respect for highs and lows.


Learning objectives

The learning objective of this lesson is threefold.

  1. Becoming aware of all the positive and negative events in your own life.
  2. Gaining insight into possible cause-effect relationships in your own life. 
  3. Gaining understanding/showing empathy for events in the lives of friends/classmates.

Program (2 lessons)

The program of this lesson covers a total of 2 lessons.

  • The first hour focuses on drawing your own life line and attention is paid to making connections and writing a personal explanation.
  • In the second hour, the lifelines are shared with friends/girlfriends/classmates. All pupils/students write down their most important insights from this exercise. These can be shared in class if this feels safe enough.
  • The lesson is concluded with an evaluation/reflection based on the set learning objectives. Everything is described in the personal leadership diary.

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