You have heard of “rewriting your story” and “flipping the script”. All intended to emphasise that you have the power to change – to grow and not let your past define you.
However, before we even get there and start changing things we need to accept.
Accept our stories, life events and journeys however messy and uncomfortable they were/are. Only then can we begin to work on what we want to change.
That includes how the journey has made you feel. The pain it caused you. The severity of it (and yes if it hurt you it was a BIG THING – don’t let anyone tell you, you are being dramatic) and how you reacted to it.
You may have reacted in ways you are not proud of, said things you shouldn’t have or coped in ways which didn’t help you. You were simply in survival mode- forgive yourself for it.
Now name your story.
Not to disregard it or minimise it but to remind you of your strength.
Think of your own journey to date or a certain life event which really hit you hard (break up, divorce, loss of a loved one, health challenges, etc.)
- What key themes or emotions showed up?
- What did you do, even one small thing that helped you get through?
- What changed as a result of this – good and bad?
- Was it about reclaiming your voice, healing from loss, stepping into strength, breaking a cycle?
- Think about metaphors: storms, roots, bridges, fire, light, scripts, seasons.
- Think about phrases that sum up what shifted: breaking free, rising, softening, choosing peace, finding home.
Your story name doesn’t have to be poetic or overly positive either, that is not the point. If you want to name your story – shit storm, hot mess or WTF WAS THAT then I am here for it.
As long as you name it, accept it and acknowledge the pain it caused you that is when you will begin to see that it doesn’t define you.
My story is called “Scripted with strength”. I wasn’t dealt with the best hands in life and had all odds against me – responsibilities that arrived too early, low income background, a sibling who needed extra care, health challenges and not many role models/ support systems to help guide me. But eventually, I took the pen in my own hands.
You can too.
Find me on instagram at @soft__armour and share your story name with me and let’s look back on your journey with pride.
Soft Armour 