What's Your Story?

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For years, I believed the farthest I could run was three miles. That was my limit. End of story.

Then one day I went to cheer on a friend while she ran a half marathon. As I watched hundreds of runners cross the finish line, I was totally surprised and inspired by the tremendous diversity of racers. People of every size, shape and age ran those 13.1 miles. Seeing them made me reconsider my story. Was it true? Or, was it in need of a major rewrite? If they could run that far, maybe I could too.

So I started running a little bit more every week, challenging myself to go further and further. Eventually, I ran my first half marathon. As I crossed the finish line, I remember thinking there was no way I could run twice as far to complete a full marathon—that would be 26.2 miles and I was dog-tired after just 13.1!

Yet, I was intrigued by the idea...

My half-marathon experience had boosted my running confidence and opened my mind to new possibilities. So, I continued to rewrite my story. Soon, I was running multiple full marathons—and loving every minute.

Our Stories Create Limiting Beliefs
We all have stories that create limiting beliefs that disempower us, shape our identity, and hold us back from manifesting the best version of ourselves. Here are some common ones in the realm of food and body:

  • I can’t love my body until I lose weight.

  • Everything will be better when I’m thinner.

  • I can’t [swim, dance, clothes shop, date, etc.] until I weigh less.

  • I’ll always struggle with eating and my weight.

  • I can’t be trusted with food; I have no self-control.

  • Eating intuitively isn’t possible for me.

  • I’ll never be a good cook.

  • I don’t have the discipline to exercise regularly.

  • Taking time for self-care is selfish.

Change Your Story, Change Your Life
Often, the stories we believe about ourselves come from other people. When we buy into them, we become a passive participant in our life, living according to other people’s stories about us and the way the world works.

The good news is, you can change your stories, just as I did with my three-mile tale.

Start now by asking yourself these questions:

  • What are the dominant stories in my life?

  • How are these stories disempowering me and holding me back?

  • How can I rewrite them so they are more empowering?

  • What actions can I take to reinforce my new stories?

  • What evidence can I find to support my new stories?

  • How will my life change as a result of my new stories?

Helping my clients recognize and rewrite their disempowering narratives fuels the transformation they're seeking. If you'd like support with changing the stories that are keeping you stuck and unhappy, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation call today.