Rewriting Limiting Stories
Reading Rainbow was my favorite show as a child, and the amazing world of books and story has always captivated me. The stories we tell have power. Words build worlds, shaping them, allowing for possibilities or limitations to arise. When we tell our own stories, we share a part of ourselves and our identities, the unique lens through which we see the world. What about the stories we tell that limit us, that cut us off from our potential, that disempower us and hold us back? Other perspectives and stories are possible.
In my coaching engagements I harness the power of story to help my clients find new perspectives, opportunities, possibilities, and reconnect with their power of choice. This helps my clients shed self-limiting beliefs and opens up possibilities as they rewrite limiting stories and perhaps even write new stories, which I find so very exciting as a coach.
There is power in your story and YOU are the author. Do the antagonists have the power in your story, or do you? What would be different in your life if you could retell your story from a different angle? What empowering choices are hiding in plain sight?
Rewriting these limiting stories to call back our sovereignty can be so very empowering! There are many ways to go about this besides coaching: creative writing, journaling, therapy, and art are just some examples.
A Journal Exercise to Reflect on Your Stories:
What is your relationship to the stories you tell yourself?
Think about areas of your life where you feel brave, empowered, and strong. What stories do you tell yourself when you feel empowered?
Think about negative self talk and beliefs, and areas in your life where you don’t feel so brave or strong. What limiting stories do you tell yourself in these situations?
What would be different if you rewrote those stories to be empowering, brave, and strong?
Write this new story. Read it aloud and see how it feels. Can you picture yourself trying on this new story?
Do you have a story that could use some rewriting? Schedule a discovery call to see how coaching can help.