When did you last tell or write your story? I mean, really talk through big parts of your Life story to someone else, or share it in some other form?
Today I had an unusual opportunity to talk about myself — something I love to do but often refrain from doing. Why refrain? I don’t want to appear to be overly wound-up in myself. I don’t want people to think I’m bragging. I don’t know how my story will be received. I don’t want to be branded as “one of those old people who always wants to talk about the past.” I might be feeling vulnerable about part of my story and thus reluctant to share it. If I’ve told the story too many times, I might feel like a broken record.
But today was different. After dozens of attempts in the past few years to do it myself, I decided to hire a professional copywriter to help me settle on the most important things for the ABOUT page of my website (also to use for introductions when I’m a guest on someone’s podcast and for my social media profiles).
It’s difficult to be objective about myself, and he’s a pro, so… That’s how my most recent session with the delightful and excellent copywriter, Andy O’Bryan, came about.
Today while we were talking I realized that, although I know better, in my current ABOUT page I have primarily written about what I’ve done, what I can do for people, how I can help them solve problems. Andy pointed out right away that although much of this is important to include, he felt like what was missing was MY STORY. My hero’s journey. My struggles and triumphs.
The very things I encourage others to write about for professional, educational, and artistic purposes I had completely left out in talking about ME.
Ironic don’t you think?
I’ve included these three photos of precious little children for a reason.
Each of these little people came into this world, and their story began. [Some would say it began before they were born since these circumstances will have a big influence on who they become.] Still, there is definitely a beginning in their early years.
I wonder… If someone asked you today to tell the story of your Life, what happened between your early childhood and now, and they weren’t in a hurry, what would you say?
What happened between the moments when the photo on the left was taken, and the photo on the right? Same girl. Different year.
For now, please accept my invitation to send me a snippet of YOUR story, something you haven’t mentioned in a while to anyone else — or tell a friend about some aspect of your Life and see how comfortable you feel doing so. NOTICE: Do you refrain from talking about the ins and outs, the ups and downs? What do you leave out? Which part of your story do you most enjoy telling? Is the story you’re telling influenced by the person you’re telling it to?
What are the beliefs or thoughts you have that get in the way of talking about yourself in this way?
Enjoy the process! It gets easier with practice.
At 9 years old, I was left at home with a newborn brother, a five year old brother and a three year old sister. Mother was in bed all the time. We didn’t know why… Then along came Andrea Yates years later and now we know Mother had postpartum psychosis.
Diana, thank you for posting a comment. What a start for your Life and your lifelong role as a mother. It must have been a great relief to finally understand what your Mom was experiencing. Did she live to understand this diagnosis herself?