WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

I love books, movies, and stories. I can easily get lost in a well-told tale. Since the beginning of time, people have been telling stories in order to make sense of the world and of themselves. We all create personal narratives that help us understand and explain who we are, how we got here, and where we’re headed. These narratives include multiple characters, settings, surprises and themes. Think about all the people who have impacted you over the years. Reflect on the numerous experiences, interactions, learning moments, accomplishments and “wins’, as well as the failures, mistakes, disappointments and losses.

If your life were a book or a movie, what would the major themes be? Which characters would you choose to include? Would you cast yourself as the hero, villain, the funny sidekick, leader, survivor, rival, tempter, or skeptic?

Everyone has a narrative identity – a way that we internalize the story of ourselves. While your life consists of complex layers of facts and events over many years, it’s your LIVED experience of what happened and the meaning you give to the events, that make up your life story. How you interpret your life is personal and can be viewed in many different ways.

OWN YOUR STORY

·      Recognize that you are the author – for all the things that have happened in your life, you are not an invisible or helpless observer. There may be elements out of your control that are difficult, and how you make meaning of them is key to how you act and feel. You have the power to change your story through the choices you make.

·      Notice the stories you tell – be aware of the words you use to discuss your appearance, your health, and the event of your life. Are they rigid, unforgiving, exaggerated, or disengaged? How do you perceive yourself? Does your story help or harm you? What would you change if you chose to alter the narrative?

·      Separate your problems from your identity – you are not your worst day, or most difficult challenge. You do not have just one label that describes the total sum of who you are.

·      Identify the themes you want in your life – change your narrative to fit your values, wishes, and dreams better. Take control of how you want to respond to, react to or alter various aspects of your life.

Research shows that when a person’s sense of control over their life story grows, their mental health gradually improves. Life is complex, with a lot consistently going on around you as well as internally. Be thoughtful in how you want to make meaning out of all your experiences, and what you can get behind when describing your own narrative.