Hearttelling

Hearttelling is a term used to describe a form of storytelling and communication that emphasizes conveying personal truths and emotional meaning from the speaker’s heart. It is used in creative writing, therapy, and spiritual practices. The phrase is a neologism rather than a standardized technique, and definitions vary by context.

In practice, hearttelling centers on authenticity and felt experience over precise factual detail. Methods often include creating a safe, present-centered space, focusing on bodily and emotional sensations, speaking in the first person, and sharing vulnerabilities. The goal is to foster connection, empathy, and meaning rather than to deliver polished or objective narration. Often, hearttelling encourages reflection on what a memory or experience reveals about values, beliefs, or identity.

Applications span several fields. In creative writing and storytelling workshops, hearttelling helps writers develop an intimate, distinctive voice grounded in lived experience. In narrative therapy and counseling, it supports clients in articulating values, processing trauma, and reconstructing personal narratives in a way that emphasizes meaning and agency. Some spiritual or mindfulness communities use hearttelling as a practice to cultivate compassion and presence.

Benefits cited include increased self-awareness, greater emotional resonance with audiences, and stronger interpersonal connection. Critics note the lack of a standardized method, potential for oversharing, and risks of misinterpretation or therapeutic boundary challenges. As a concept, hearttelling remains informal and context-dependent, valued for its emphasis on human connection and inner truth rather than technical precision. See also: narrative therapy, storytelling, journaling, memoir.