Creating New Stories, on Purpose

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

For most of us, discouraging ourselves and believing disempowering stories about who we are and what we’re capable of comes easier than building ourselves up! We swiftly talk ourselves out of following our heart’s desires and giving ourselves a chance at something new. We give too much power to the voice that says; “What’s the point?,” “Why bother?,” “It’s gonna take too long,” “You’re too old for that,” or “That’s a stupid idea.”

Oh Yeah, That Old Story.

A story that is rigid, boring, old, and narrow. A story that we never chose for ourselves, but inherited. A deceitful story that has no imagination and perspective. It leads us to the same roads we’ve traveled before and leaves us feeling unmotivated and unworthy when we believe it. Like an old sweater it keeps us warm, but it doesn’t fit quite right anymore.

And Yet…

Leaning into this story is easy and requires no effort. We know it inside out. It leads us to roads that are predictable, comfortable, and familiar precisely because we’ve travelled them before. “Yes, I know that sweater is old, but I still love it and can’t get rid of it.” I love knowing it’s in my closet for those days when I need something cozy and comfortable.

We Can Always Make A New Choice

This old story isn’t necessarily bad, but it doesn’t have to win every single time. We don’t have to blindly follow it as soon as it arises.

We are at the mercy of our disempowering stories up to the point in which we become aware of them. Recognizing them is like waking up from a sleep. And once we are awake, we can make a new choice, tell ourselves a new story, following a brand new path ending up in a place we haven’t visited before.

Embodying a New Story

But first, these new stories need practice. They need to be created on purpose and told over and over again so they can form roots and become felt in the body, not just in our minds. Don’t let that discourage you, let it uplift you: “How incredible that at any point, I have the opportunity to create a new story and choose a different path!”

Remember that anything we believe and do with ease, at some point had to be done for the first time. The same is with creating and believing new stories about ourselves.

What New Story Are You Creating on Purpose?

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