The Stories We Tell Ourselves
How to stop believing the lies that keep you from writing your truth
“I’m not a writer.” “My story isn’t that interesting.” “It’s too late for me to start.”
I’ve heard every one of these sentences. Not just from clients, but from the voice inside my own head. For years, I told myself that someday I’d be ready to write my story, but I needed more time, more courage, maybe even a better ending.
The truth? Those were just stories I was telling myself. And they were keeping me silent.
The Power of an Inner Narrative
Our minds are natural storytellers. Stories are how we make sense of the world and connect the dots of our lives. But sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves can become the walls that keep us from living (and writing) freely.
You might have one of those stories playing on a loop:
“I’m too busy.”
“No one would care what I have to say.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Those thoughts feel like facts, but they’re not. They’re old narratives dressed up as truth.
Where Our Internal Stories Come From
Most of our inner stories didn’t start with us. They came from a parent who told us to be “realistic,” a teacher who didn’t see our potential, or a culture that valued everyone else’s voice over ours. Over time, we took those outside messages and made them our own.
And for a while, they served a purpose. They protected us from risk, from judgment, from disappointment. But eventually, they stopped protecting us and started confining us. The good news is, we can rewrite them.
Rewriting the Script
Here’s a simple exercise I often share with memoir writers (and use myself):
Name the story. Write down one belief that holds you back. Maybe it’s “I don’t remember enough,” or “I can’t write well enough.”
Question it. Where did that belief come from? Is it always true?
Reframe it. Replace it with something that feels truer:
“My memories matter.”
“Writing is how I become a writer.”
“It’s not too late, it’s right on time.”
Write from that new belief. Use it as your starting point. Even a single paragraph can begin to change how you see yourself.
Why This Matters
When you silence your story, the world loses the wisdom you’ve earned. Someone out there is waiting to hear exactly what you’ve lived through. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real.
Memoir isn’t about ego or self-promotion. It’s about connection. When you tell your truth, you give others permission to tell theirs.
Your Invitation This Week
Pay attention to the stories you tell yourself. Which ones keep you small? Which ones lift you up? Then, choose one and finish this sentence:
“The truth is…”
That’s your beginning. And once you start, you may find that your new story is the truest one you’ve ever told.
