Whilst you are in the thinking stages or the very beginning stages of thinking about adoption, this exercise could really help you as these are things you will be asked to list, note down as a part of your Registration of Interest Form (ROIF)
The social workers will want to know absolutely everything about you for your very earliest memory to the current day.
Social Workers by nature are very nosey and want to know everything, they also don’t like too many surprises so it is most certainly easier for you to tell them everything, no matter how cringy it feels. Trust me as a social worker we have heard and seen it all, you wont shock us I promise.
So as a suggestion, I would start writing down your story, what has happened throughout your life, the good, bad and ugly.
Writing it all down can really help but equally could also raise things for you that are not so nice and making you feel uncomfortable or scared or worried. As hard as it might be keep writing.
At this stage you are writing for yourself, you do not need to share any of this with anyone you don’t want to.
I would suggest you either write it in a note book or on a blank word doc on your laptop or phone – make such to secure with a password so you know your information and notes are safe.
For me when I was being assessed as a foster carer, I kept a notebook with me at all times and every time I thought of a memory or something triggered, I noted it down, this became really helpful when I then wrote the chronology and significant events (there are blogs on these subjects too) Having the book close by will allow you to take notes the moment the memory comes forward for you.
As I mentioned this is your book, notes, document so if everything is muddled that is no problem because you will be able to notes things in order when you complete the chronology and significant events documents for your social worker.
In writing your own book now it will help you get everything onto paper, explore if you need to, have it in a place where you can refer back to it when needing dates etc.
It can feel overwhelming in the beginning, just writing things down, maybe start with the most recent events and story of your life and work backwards if that feels easier, this is something I do with LifeStory Scrapbooking because the today memories are easier to remember and manager as you have more control however when exploring the childhood memories these can be harder as decisions would have been made for you and you may not have had any control over some situations.
As with all me recommendations, please be kind to yourself, take time, be somewhere safe, have safe and supportive people around you and reach out if you need to.
Sending you my best wishes
Your Adoption Mentor.