Awe Narrative
The Awe Narrative is a short individual writing exercise in which a person recalls a fairly recent experience of intense awe and describes it in about two paragraphs, staying with the detail of the moment itself. It is published as a practice by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, credited to Melanie Rudd and based on the study by Rudd, Vohs and Aaker (2012) in Psychological Science. In group settings it is often placed after a shared awe experience, as in Jelger Kroese's tool Cultivating Awe in the Transition Makers Toolbox.
Facilitation script
- 1
Introduce awe with two or three varied examples and explain that the writing stays private.
3 min - 2
Silent recall: each person chooses one recent moment of strong awe.
2 min - 3
Silent writing of about two paragraphs, staying with the sensory detail of the moment.
10 min - 4
Reflection alone or in pairs on what made the moment powerful and how to invite more of it.
5 min
Tips
Offer a few different sources of awe when you introduce it, otherwise people assume it has to be a mountain or a sunset and some will decide they have nothing to write.
Write alongside the group instead of watching them.
If someone cannot recall a moment, suggest they describe a time they were deeply impressed by another person.
Common pitfalls
Asking people to read their texts aloud after promising privacy, which makes everyone write more guardedly the next time
Framing awe only as grand nature or travel, so participants without such memories feel they have failed the task
Letting the writing drift into the story around the event, which produces a travel report and not a re-experiencing of the moment
Cutting the writing time to five minutes, which gives a few polite sentences and none of the detail the exercise depends on
Presenting it as a proven fix for stress, which sets an expectation a 15-minute exercise cannot meet
Variations
For a facilitated group version, precede the writing with a shared awe moment such as a short film, a story or a slow walk outdoors, as the Transition Makers tool does, and write straight afterwards. As a personal practice it can be repeated weekly with a new memory each time. Online, participants switch cameras off for the writing and return for pair reflection in breakout rooms. In a longer wellbeing session it pairs naturally with a gratitude exercise, but keep the two separate so awe does not turn into a list of things to be thankful for.
Where it fits
When to use it
A group has been in task mode for hours and needs a quiet shift of perspective before a reflective conversation
A wellbeing or resilience programme wants a short practice people can repeat on their own
You are opening a retreat and want people to arrive individually before they start talking
A session on purpose or values needs an entry point that is personal without requiring disclosure
The group has just shared a striking experience, such as a walk or a film, and you want each person to connect it to their own life
When not to use it
You need energy and interaction: this is silent solo writing, so pick an active energiser
The group is in an acute conflict or crisis, where an invitation to recall wonder will feel out of touch; address the situation first
You want the group to produce shared output: the texts are private and should stay that way, so use Appreciative Interviews if stories are meant to be harvested
Participants strongly dislike writing or have difficulty with it and no alternative is offered; let them tell the memory to a partner instead
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Awe Narrative?▾
The Awe Narrative is a 15-minute writing exercise in which you recall a recent experience of intense awe and describe it in as much detail as you can, in roughly two paragraphs. The aim is to bring the experience back by writing about the moment itself. It is published by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley and credited to Melanie Rudd.
What is the research behind it?▾
The practice draws on a 2012 paper by Melanie Rudd, Kathleen Vohs and Jennifer Aaker in Psychological Science. According to the Greater Good Science Center's summary, participants who were led to feel awe, compared with other emotions, felt they had more time available, were less impatient, were more willing to volunteer time and reported greater life satisfaction. These are short-term effects from experiments, not a promise of lasting change.
What counts as an awe experience?▾
Anything that felt vast or overwhelming enough to shift your perspective for a moment. Nature is the obvious source, but music, a building, a scientific idea, a birth, or watching someone do something with great skill or generosity all qualify. It does not have to be dramatic.
Can it be used with a team?▾
Yes, as a silent individual exercise done in the same room, followed by optional reflection in pairs. It works well after a shared experience such as a walk or a short film. Do not require anyone to share the text.
How often should you do it?▾
As a group exercise, once in a programme is usually enough. As a personal practice it can be repeated, choosing a different memory each time so the writing stays fresh.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Melanie Rudd / Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley.