Spotify just sent me a wrap-up of my music choices from the past year. This automated review arrived at the perfect time for this post. Funny how that often happens. Information seems to cross my path right before I need to use it. I noticed this phenomenon many years ago when I was asked to treat a client with trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder related to anxiety. I had just attended a training for this condition the week before, which prepared me to manage and successfully treat this young lady. Since then, I have become more aware of these synchronicities, and they always blow my mind. Now I tell myself that information falls into my lap whenever I need it. Whether it is true or not, this story that I tell myself has transformed how I work and live.
This Spotify year of review relates to the section of the journal that I am expanding on today.
The questions posed in the ‘Tides of Change’ guided journal are:
- If your life last year was a playlist, what would it be called?
And
- If your life last year was made into an album, what would your top 3 tracks be called?
What is the purpose of naming the narrative that runs through your head?
A narrative is simply a story. We tell ourselves many stories each and every moment about ourselves, about the past, other people, objects, places and everything else in our consciousness. These stories provide us with meaning about all of these “things”. That helps us to make sense of this otherwise chaotic world. In a world that bombards us with a flood of sensory input, we need to be able to organise and put this into neat packages to conserve brain power.
We have common story threads and themes that help us understand one another, but your interpretation of a problem will differ from mine because of the meaning we assign to the parts of the problem. Even twins raised together have different memories of their childhood because they each run a narrative that is shaped by their own unique perspective and learning. We often have conflicts with others because they have a different story in their mind about the situation than the one running in our heads. Brene Brown proposes a ‘magic sentence’ in her TED Talk ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ when faced with a dispute or conflict. She suggests that you say, “The story I’m telling myself is…” and enquire with another person if this is the same story they are telling themselves. More often than not, there is very little match between your story and the other person’s.
Labelling the story stops rumination in it’s tracks
Our mind loves to run through the stories of the past from beginning to end, over and over again. If we are troubled by a memory or a future worry, we tend to dwell in it and visualise it like a movie playing through in our mind’s eye. Sometimes we play it like a broken record, over and over. We get stuck in that pattern of unhelpful thinking. That is called rumination. The more we are emotionally affected by the memory or worry, the more we watch this mind movie or play the same old song trying to make sense of it.
How do I stop the replay of unhelpful stories?
Give your story a name, like a movie title or a song name. This helps to package the memory or worry and to more easily notice it when it starts to play again. You can then choose to skip to the next track or put that boring old movie back on the shelf and replace it with a more inspiring one. For example, you might notice that you start to worry about your upcoming interview, and you picture yourself freezing and forgetting vital information like you have in past job interviews. You could name it the “She’s a failure” song. Ask yourself whether this is the best song to be playing in your mind right before an important meeting and skip to the “She’s gonna smash it like a boss” song in your motivation imaginary playlist.
Packaging the narrative helps you step outside of it for a moment and ask if this is the best soundtrack you choose for your life right now.
Choose the soundtrack that makes you feel most alive!
Tides of Change: Your Journey to a More Authentic You ?
Ready to embark on a transformative voyage of self-discovery and personal growth? Tides of Change, our undated guided journal, is your compass. This journal isn’t bound by dates; it’s ready when you are.
? Begin anytime, and make it a part of your yearly ritual for dreaming, planning, and manifesting. ?
Dive deep into your core values, needs, wants, and desires. Unearth limiting thoughts, beliefs, and unwanted patterns that no longer serve you. It’s time to set them free.
Open your heart to a life brimming with vitality and a future that’s genuinely within your reach. The power of writing down your intentions, goals, and dreams is immeasurable.
? Within these pages, you’ll find the tools to:
- Reflect on the past and draw out the lessons to inform a more authentic life
- Cultivate a self-care routine that nourishes your soul.
- Foster a growth mindset, paving the way for personal transformation.
- Clear the mental and emotional clutter, making room for fresh, empowering beliefs.
- Practice gratitude and translate it into compassionate action.
- Plan a future that is heart-centred and self-directed
- Set and eeview your monthly goals that align with your True North
Discover your guiding words and symbols for the year ahead. Use images and symbols to tap into the strength of your subconscious mind. Explore how to create your vision board, vision and mission statements, and stay on track with a monthly planner.
Ready for even more support? Visit our website at www.wellnessarts.com.au, where you’ll find a treasure trove of free resources: supporting meditations, a specially curated playlist, and extra reading material.
Start your creative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Let the tides of change carry you towards a life that’s true to your heart and full of boundless possibilities.
Tell us about how you have changed the narrative and reshaped your life.
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