Bibliotherapy with State Library Victoria State Library Victoria

Following on from the last episode on believing in ourselves, we explore unlearning the tendency to base our lives on others' expectations and regain our true sense of self. In the last episode of the series, bibliotherapist Dr Susan McLaine asks us what we need to make our hearts swell with joy.

This episode features two readings:

Blaise van Hecke, Enid Blyton has a lot to answer for, The road to Tralfamadore is bathed in river water: stories from a gypsy childhood, Busybird Publishing, 2018

Charlotte Mew, 'The call', The rambling sailor, 1929

In this episode, we explore what happens to us when we let others’ expectations of us define success and failure. It encourages us to think about both the physical and emotional aspects of living our lives based on other people’s expectations.

This episode features a reading of:

Sheryl Gwyther, Dance of the Lascaux ponies, Touchdown Magazine, Vol 104, No. 6, July 2019

One of our most vital human needs is to feel accepted. This episode reflects on how some of us may change who we are to fit in and feel accepted.

This episode features two readings:

Elizabeth Flux, One’s company, The best Australian stories 2017, Black Inc., 2017

Jenny Joseph, ‘Warning’, Warning: when I am an old woman I shall wear purple, Profile Books, 1997.

This episode explores ethics and values, the foundations on which we base our lives. It asks us to consider the set of rules we use for adult living.

This episode features two readings:

Cate Kennedy, Puppet show, The best Australian stories 2015, Black Inc., 2015

Rudyard Kipling, ‘If’, Rewards and fairies, 1910.

A common coping strategy for many people is to incorporate a routine to try to control our experiences. This episode helps us to reflect on our own coping strategies.

Content warning: this episode features a story which explores suicide, death, loss and grief.

This episode features two readings:

Mat Ward, Routine, [Untitled] issue: eight, Busybird Publishing, 2019

Robert Frost ‘The road not taken’, Mountain interval, published by Henry Holt, 1916.