Blending in (S2 E4)

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.

Medical experts are saying that agoraphobia – commonly known as the fear of leaving home – is impacting many people as a result of the pandemic. This episode asks how we feel about leaving home and being in situations we can’t control. Content warning: this episode features a story and a poem which explore mental illness, including anxiety and depression. This episode features two readings: Rhiannon Raphael, Why I didn’t leave the house this week, [Untitled] issue: eight, Busybird Publishing, 2019 Anonymous, ‘Poem from someone who suffers from Agoraphobia’, published on the Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria’s website.

The global health crisis may define the next generation. Bibliotherapist Susan McLaine asks in this final episode, recapping the series, ‘what do we want historians in a hundred years to be saying about our generation?’ This episode features one reading: ‘The lost generation’ by Jonathan Reed, created for the AARP U@50 video contest, published online on YouTube at https://youtu.be/42E2fAWM6rA

Coronavirus has no boundaries or sense of social justice. We are all in this together, and we come into the situation with different challenges, strengths, skills and wisdom. Bibliotherapist Susan McLaine explores how we can unite to help each other with these challenges. This episode features two readings: ‘The honour of mateship’ by Peter Jeppesen (unpublished) ‘No man is an island’ by John Donne, published in Meditation 17 in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624

In this special children's episode of Bibliotherapy with State Library Victoria, host Susan McLaine shares a story and a poem with families to promote imaginative conversations about resilience and viewpoints on the world as it is right now. This episode features readings of the following story and poem: Little Big Tree, written by Tim Brown and illustrated by Andy Geppert, published by Kidiki Publishing, 2010 Scarecrow, written by Janeen Brian, published in The School Magazine NSW

In this special children's episode of Bibliotherapy with State Library Victoria, host Susan McLaine shares a story and a poem with families to promote imaginative conversations about self-awareness and strengths that helps us get through challenging times. This episode features readings of the following story and poem: The march of the ants, written by current Australian Children’s Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky, currently unpublished (to be published in 2021 as a picture book) Paper boats, written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1913 Activity: in this episode, children will be invited to make their own paper boat. This is a strengths-based activity to encourage parents and caregivers to tell children what they are good at and what positive attributes and attitudes they have. You can find instructions for making a paper boat on our website: www.slv.vic.gov.au/bibliotherapy