Painful Stories

I used to tell myself these stories - I really believed them - and I carried them around with me for a long time: 

I should be happy.

I thought that since my life looked pretty damn good from the outside I shouldn’t complain. Even though I was breaking on the inside, I had so much to be #grateful for. So, I sucked it up. 

I don’t want to bother anyone with my problems. 

I thought that keeping things to myself was a smarter, safer way to live. Because if no one saw the real, true, vulnerable me, then no one could hurt me, right? No one’s really listening, anyway. 

If I don’t do it, it won’t get done (correctly). 

I thought I had to do it all and be everything to everyone, not let anyone down - and I repeatedly burned out. 

As it turns out, these were just stories I was carrying around. None of them were facts. And as soon as I let them go, I became exactly who I am. I feel at home. 

I've created many parts of my life because I let go of the painful stories. It was hard for me to really see them (cue the shame spirals!). 

It was even harder for me to let go of them. I’d been practicing them for sooo long! 

But it was the only way to create the future I desired.

I gave up my old stories (and identities). Then, I became someone new. 

I became more capable, more balanced, more self-confident, and more connected. There's nothing I'm more proud of than that.

What are your stories? What are you telling yourself that you’re believing is true?