I am a bookworm. I love a good story that pulls me into a new world, that makes me laugh, perhaps cry, that challenges me to figure out who did it before the reveal (I just may have a particular fondness for the Nordic noir genre 📚🕵♀️).
Some stories inspire, some serve as warnings. The world of make believe can shape how we look at ourselves, as well as the people and the world around us.
However, I’m not fond of all stories. I’m not as enamored with the stories we often tell ourselves, the ones that hold us back from trying new things, taking on new challenges, moving in a new direction. Stories like:
- I don’t like vegetables.
- I don’t cook.
- I don’t like trying new food.
- Exercise is not my thing.
- I can’t quit smoking. I’ve tried and tried but it just doesn’t stick.
- I’m never going to be healthy. I’m just not wired that way.
- Living healthy is so boring!!!!
- It’s too hard to try and live a healthy lifestyle.
- If it’s not hard, it’s not worth it.
- Go big or go home.
All the stories you tell yourself have a backstory. You may have simply adopted the stories of your caregivers, parents, teachers, friends, etc. You probably created some stories to explain away frustrations, disappointments, hurts, or perceived “failures”. The stories we tell ourselves, and the stories we allow others to tell about us, matter.
The cool thing is – you can rewrite your story.
Of course, changing the narrative of your life doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with a willingness to acknowledge the story is JUST a story. It may mean taking some time to reflect on the backstory, how and why it became your truth. It means changing the words you use and then, most importantly, taking action to make the new story a reality.
Sometimes, the first two stories to change are the last two on the above list. Change the narrative by telling yourself that small steps matter. Give yourself permission to take the journey at your pace. Plan and practice words of kindness and encouragement for those times when you fall back into the old narrative.
Remember, the best stories take time to write, sometimes years. Wherever you are in your story, are there parts of it you want to rewrite?