This document provides guidance on creating a life map to visually represent important life events from one's past, present, and future. It discusses including a minimum of 10 past events and 5 future goals/events, along with symbols and dates to represent each. Connectors should show the progression of events. The life map can take different forms, like a road map, diagram or game board. Examples of others' life maps are shown. Reflection questions are suggested once the life map is complete. A sample list of potential life events is also included.

1. LIFE MAP: A VISUAL
SERIES REPRESENTING
YOUR LIFE COURSE

2. Important life questions to ask:
 Where did you start out?
 Where have you been?
 Where are you now?
 Where would you like to go?
 How will you get there?
 What will affect whether you'll get there?

3. What is a life map?
A life map tracks your journey through life and
marks out important events along the way.
Remember, an important event doesn’t have to
be exciting or memorable for others, the map
is all about showing what is important to you.
What makes an event important?

4. Important events in your life
 Events that teach you something about life e.g. being
selected for a team might have taught you the value of
hard work and perseverance
 Events that made you feel suddenly more mature/
older/ grown up e.g. looking after your little brother or
sister for the first time
 Events that gave you inspiration for your future e.g.
the first time you were given Lego and built a 1000
piece skyscraper hinted at you future love of
architecture.
 Events that highlight how important it is to enjoy life
e.g. loss of a family member or pet
Both good and bad events can make you appreciate,
adapt or change your life in some way

5. What should your map include?
 A minimum of 10 events that represent your
past.
 A minimum of 5 events that you image or
would like to be part of your future.
 Have a clear understanding of the reasons
why you have selected these events.

6. What should your map include?
 Select events from all of the life stages –
baby, toddler, child, teenager, young adult,
and older adult.
 For life stages you've already experienced, like being a
baby or toddler, use family photos and anecdotes from
family members about special events or achievements
they remember. Did anything major in your family life
happen, like a move to a new country? Also include
major historical events that took place during your life
stages, like 9/11.
 For life stages you haven't experienced, imagine what
you'd like them to be like. Include education, career
possibilities, health, hobbies, lifestyle, and family.

7. What should your map include?
 A symbol or picture that represents each
selected event. The picture should give an
indication of how you felt about the event.
 A label which identifies and roughly dates the
event. You can be creative and poetic with
these labels e.g. the road to happiness on my
new skateboard.

8. What should your map include?
 Connectors between events which help the
viewer understand the order in which they
happened. The connectors can also indicate
how the road between one event and
another event are connected. What important
lesson or understanding did you come to
during this period of time?
 Some people use arrows, some people draw roads,
some people draw a bunch of islands and draw little
boats travelling between each; it is up to you how you
see your map. Is your life map a road map, a diagram, a
geographical map, a maze, a swirling circle or a game of
snakes and ladders?

9. Life map examples
(Somebody's future life map but a good example of layout)

10. Life map examples
(Done by much younger student but a good concept if more detail is
added)

11. Life map examples
(just needs the connectors to show the path of events)

12. Life map examples
(missing the connectors but nice presentation)

13. Life map examples

14. Life map examples

15. Life map examples

17. Life map examples

18. Life map examples

19. Inspiration- mazes

20. Inspiration- maps

21. Inspirations- game boards

22. Reflection of My Life…
When your Life Map is complete, answer the following questions:
 Imagine your life-map belongs to someone else. How do you feel
about that person when you look at the life map?
 What values do you notice reflected in the important events?
 What would you change about your life-map if you could? Why?
 Where are you going in the future?
 List and describe 3 things you can do in your life stage now to
make future life stages happen the way you'd like them to?

23. Sample list to motivate your life
map drawing
 Day you were born
 Stories you have heard about your
birth
 Your earliest childhood memory
(describe in detail)
 Your most vivid childhood
experiences
 Your school years
 A special trip you have taken
 A favorite meaningful thing/object
you received from someone special
 The first time you gave a speech
 The first time you wrote an essay
 A time you hurt yourself
 A very funny event
 A time when you cried
 Your first bike ride
 A memorable/favorite book
 A hospital stay
 Your first plane flight
 A day you met someone famous
 A death in the family
 Your First love
 The Day You Realized The
Purpose for Life or for Your Life