What Does Your Story Say About You?

At a recent meeting, the Whole-Self Wellness team participated in a unique writing exercise.

If you would like to follow along at home:

• Bring out a pen (or pencil) and a sheet of paper.

• Write a 4-sentence story of something that happened to you, or an interaction you had, that was less than pleasant.

Kammi described the parameters like a 1-10 pain scale, with 1 being a regular everyday encounter and 10 a story reserved for a therapist. The goal, she said, was to choose an event in the 2-3, mid-low range. Not ordinary, not extraordinary, but uncomfortable.

Then:

• Write about four sentences.

Did you finish writing?

Let's continue:

• After writing, reread your story, searching for the words you use to describe yourself.

• Underline the words that describe you negatively or have negative connotations.

The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate the language we use. Language is powerful. Language subtly shapes our thinking, our actions, and even the direction of our lives.

• What words did you use in your story?

• What significance do they have to you?

Another thing to evaluate: does the language in your story portray or imply that you're a victim?

It's a difficult question that might require introspection into your past. Even if you weren't the victim in the story, did your behavior or dialogue stem from a place of unhealed pain?

Ultimately, it's important to remember that we’re the ones in charge of our lives. We're the ones who choose our response in a given situation—or whether we respond at all.

We also choose how we treat ourselves when no one else is around. After all, your longest relationship isn't with your partner, child, or friends. Your longest relationship will always be with yourself.

You are the hero of your own story.

If you're not pleased with how you described yourself in the story, please don't feel pressured to "fix" it immediately. Changing your mindset is a long-term process.

Bonus Activity:

• Count the number of words you underlined.

• For each word, write one sentence containing a positive affirmation about yourself.

  • Example: if you underlined 6 words, write 6 positive affirmations.

  • The affirmations don't have to be related to your story or the underlined words.

How did it go? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

(P.S. Don't forget about your free Clarity Call!)