Tell Yourself the Story You Want to Hear
Jacob sat alone in his apartment, staring at the blank page in his journal. He had always imagined his life would be something different—something extraordinary. But instead, his days felt like a rerun of the same episode. Work, eat, sleep, repeat.
One night, as he scrolled through social media, he saw a quote that stopped him mid-scroll: “If you don’t like the story you’re living, start telling a new one.”
The words struck something deep inside him. He realized that his life wasn’t being written by fate, circumstance, or the expectations of others—it was being written by him. And if he didn’t like the story he was living, he had the power to change it.
The Moment of Decision
Jacob grabbed his journal and wrote a question at the top of the page: “What story do I want to tell?”
For the first time, he allowed himself to dream without limitations. He wanted to be someone who lived with passion, who took risks, who traveled to places he’d only seen in photographs. He wanted to wake up excited for the day ahead, not just going through the motions.
Then came the harder question: “What’s stopping me?”
As he listed out his reasons—fear, comfort, doubt—he saw them for what they were: excuses. Stories he had been telling himself for years. If he wanted a different story, he had to change the narrative.
Writing a New Chapter
Jacob didn’t quit his job or book a one-way ticket to Bali overnight. Instead, he started small.
He signed up for a local photography class—something he had always wanted to do but never made time for. He started saying yes to experiences that pushed him outside his comfort zone, like joining a hiking group and reaching out to old friends he had lost touch with.
Each new experience was like turning a page in a book he actually wanted to read. His days no longer felt like a loop—there was movement, growth, excitement.
One weekend, on a spontaneous road trip to the mountains, Jacob stood on a cliffside, looking over the vast landscape, and realized: This is the kind of story I want to tell.
The Power of Owning Your Narrative
As weeks turned into months, Jacob noticed something profound. His life hadn’t just changed externally—it had changed internally. He no longer saw himself as someone stuck in a routine. He saw himself as an active participant in his own story.
The story he wanted to hear wasn’t about waiting for something to happen. It was about making things happen. It was about taking the pen back and writing his life with intention.
Your Story, Your Choice
Jacob’s journey is a reminder that the life you live is the story you tell yourself. If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself:
What kind of story do I want to tell?
What actions can I take today to make that story real?
What’s stopping me, and how can I change that?
You don’t have to wait for a perfect moment to start. You just have to begin. Rewrite the narrative, take small steps, and create the story you actually want to hear.
Your Thought to Ponder: Pick Up the Pen
The best stories aren’t written by chance—they’re written by choice. If you don’t like the story you’re living, change the plot. Make bold choices, pursue what excites you, and take ownership of your journey.
Because one day, when you look back, you’ll want to say: “That was the story I wanted to tell.”
