Somewhere to Reframe Our Stories

Stories help us navigate, explain, and understanding life. They allow us to interpret events and experiences, position ourselves relative to one another, and reframe situations to find meaning and hope in difficult circumstances.

But stories also create and feed less helpful beliefs we might come to hold about ourselves, others, and the world around us. As a result, they might leave us disconnected and alone, requiring us to reframe our perspectives.

What story did you believe about yourself growing up?

Many introverts and highly sensitive people describe people misunderstanding them as children. For example, being labelled “shy”, “quiet”, or “too sensitive”.

These stories can leave us feeling out of place, wrong, and like we don’t fit the expected mould. Disconnected from ourselves, and afraid of (or unable to) express our authentic feelings, needs, and desires. It might develop into perfectionism, impostor feelings, or a sense of inferiority to others.

We can lose parts of ourselves in how we show up for others. People pleasing, taking responsibility for the feelings of those around us, and playing the role of helper/rescuer, can leave us unable to make requests, admit need, or accept help.

But, this is not the end of your story.

Maybe you have experienced a significant change, like a shift in your season of life or an unexpected crisis. Or perhaps it’s been slower than that. Like a hunch that something isn’t right and you want to do, be, and create more in life.

Maybe you’ve been learning what it means for you to be an introvert, a highly sensitive person, or another resonant trait that beautifully reflects how you experience the world.

Whatever the case may be, this is an invitation to re-frame and release.

What Are You Letting Go?

Take a moment to think about what YOU notice, what puts YOU in a state of timeless flow, and what these things tell you about who you are.

• What do I keep noticing at the moment?
• What feels new, unusual, and potentially useful?
• What hunch is building over time?

Have I had any “aha!” moments recently? What did it help me realise?

Use these questions in ways that help you. Hold them gently and lightly. Let them converse with your spirit, and allow them to help you pick up and place down what is and isn’t useful.