Writing the New Story of Your Life
Yakkity yak yak. The narrator’s incessant old story steadily plays in the background 24/7.
Not just any story. Your story. Your future.
And what it says has already written your life into being, unless you become conscious of it and deliberately choose another path.
So who’s telling the story and what is it telling you is true?
“Use Your Own Light #1” Acrylic, graphite on Yupo Paper 11” x 14” ©Amy Guion Clay 2020 See on my store HERE:
Most of us aren’t even aware that we are blindly rehashing an outdated story. We unconsciously go along with what we have always believed to be true, based on the familiar past, until one day we decide it no longer holds up. The same-same old story that has led us to this point has become stale, small, blinkered and dull. At times even dangerous.
As the adage says - keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.
The truth is we have a choice. And as soon as we choose a different path, we knock the old narrator off it’s perch. There will be fear, resistance - the old voice (ego) will fight to have control. It will try to convince you to stay safe, to carry on with what you know. It will tell you that you have no other options.
Don’t believe it. You always have options. You get to choose. But don’t expect it to necessarily be easy.
“To create one’s own world takes courage.” Georgia O’Keefe
It’s said, the mind is a good slave but a terrible master. Unless you become conscious of what the narrative is, you become a slave to the deeply habitual thinking that will rehash old grooves. Imprinting from our earliest years, few question the prescribed direction of their lives.
“Use Your Own Light #2” Acrylic, graphite on Yupo Paper 11” x 14” ©Amy Guion Clay 2020 For purchase info, click HERE:
Maybe the old story came from a parent, teacher, or bullying schoolmates? Or you measured yourself against others and felt you came up short?
The internal voice might say:
who do you think you are?
why bother trying you’ll just fail and be disappointed.
you’re too young/old to…
there’s not enough time/money/talent to begin
just stick to the well-worn script - other people know better
Once you identify the narrative, you can intentionally spin it in a more positive way. The New Story might sound like this:
I get to choose my path, no one else. So buzz off.
My life is worthy and dynamic and cool.
Every cell in my body is perfectly healthy.
I have enough time to do creative work at least 1/2 hour each day.
I have enough space in my home for creative work.
My relationships improve everyday as I grow the love for myself.
I bring my best to everyday. I live up to my potential.
There are many books out there that coach people to find their new narrative and write their next chapter into being. I recently read the book below and found it to be practical and inspiring.
Live the Best Story of Your Life by Bob Litwin. He is a champion athlete who overcame his own resistance to his best self and helps others do the same. This is not specific to any particular profession/occupation, just wise counsel about identifying the old story and replace it with a better one. Click the image below to read more:
In the book he states:
“Writing your New Story is creative work. This is not about being realistic. Being realistic creates limitations based on your old way of being. It is about writing a story about yourself and your life that is absent of fear and limitations based on old ways of being.”
The point is, by creating a new (what might seem crazy) story, you get to rewrite your life closer to how you want it to become. This will take some practice to override old patterns, and especially to strengthen the belief that change is possible.
If anything, it can be a playful and imaginative exercise that just might shift your life in new and inspiring ways.