Rewriting Your Narrative

You are and will always be the author of your story.

Our personal narratives are powerful. The stories we tell ourselves is a reflection of the active role we play in our lives. Sometimes the stories we hold onto are dictated by the wounds we continue to carry from past traumas, failures, and relationships. I’ve realized that I have several unhealthy narratives that have been defining who I am as a person. In many ways, it’s like a domino effect. After one bad experience that led to several similar experiences, I began to think that these stories served to be true to myself.

These narratives didn’t come from thin air. They came from a past I’ve held onto. They also come from repetitive patterns. Do these narratives serve me? Absolutely, not.

It took a while, but I’ve realized that the power lies in rewriting these narratives into stories that serve us. Understand that whatever narrative you have for yourself, good or bad, they are just placeholders until you create a new story. The author and narrator always have and will always be you.

How can one start to re-write their narrative?

1) Reflect

I like to use the brain dumping method for a lot of things: projects, article prompts, day-to-day tasks, etc. Brain dumping is a way to allow your ideas and thoughts flow without any restrictions. Look at the past decade and take a moment to brain dump events in your life that pop up and write them with no limitations. You can either keep writing until you are satisfied with your list, or you can set a timer for yourself.

2) Look at repeating patterns

Go through this list and look for repeated patterns. Have you switched jobs every several months? Have you jumped in and out of relationships? Have you been sifting through social circles? Patterns are not necessarily a bad thing, but instead a message. Take these patterns and observe them. These patterns often influence your narrative.

3) Be open to rewriting your story

Rewriting is the easy part. Revisiting these memories can be challenging, especially if connected to profoundly rooted trauma or events we have buried. While this may be uncomfortable at first, it’s a stepping stone to leading a happier and more well-balanced life.

Some narratives you can begin rewriting:

• Career
• Homelife
• Romantic relationships and the role you play in them.
• Personal relationships to friends and family
• Finances
• Repeating patterns
• Trauma
• Self-love

To sum it up, your narrative is the inner dialogue you have with yourself. Remember to be kind, and know that you are the writer of your story.

Originally published at https://akinamarie.com on August 2, 2020.