Five Secrets To Using Your Story To Live Your Best Life

There are certain stories that unite us all.

Through telling stories, we feel connected. We feel relatable…yet also exeptionally unique.

No one else can write the story of our life — its what makes us unique, yet we all can relate to certain themes and feelings. When we tell our story, we highlight what makes us all different…and all the same.

Wow - stories are awesome!

And even better - we all have (at least!) ONE!

TELLING YOUR STORY IS A MIRACLE IN ACTION.

If you don’t believe me, just start with these five steps and watch what happens. Tell a friend a story, or encourage them to share their own.

You can even download some of my free worksheets to help craft your own story!Hero’s Journey Worksheet — become the hero of your own life with Joseph Campbell’s archetypal Hero’s Journey as your roadmap!

Does this painting inspire an adventure story of yours? Can you relate a personal journey to anything I painted here?

Does this painting inspire an adventure story of yours? Can you relate a personal journey to anything I painted here?

So why are stories so important?

Telling our stories helps us process what happens in our lives. Through our shared experience, we can heal. It’s not the details that matter — suffering is relative. By sharing our stories, we can connect with others who feel the same way. We suddenly feel less alone, in our ever-unfolding narrative.

7 ways to start sharing yours…

1.) Make a mantra: When the weather’s beautiful out, I love taking nature walks and reciting this mantra to myself: breathe in experience, breathe out your story — Breathe in. When you exhale — what is that truth you are aching to express today?

2.) Read a children’s book: Does anyone remember this book? All it is is white splotches — clouds — and it’s up to you to decide what shapes these “clouds” are taking. Children’s books make stories out of anything even white splotches! There’s nothing like a kid’s book to get your mind thinking like a storyteller. Pick a good kiddie read and find the adventure in your own life.

3.) Write a line a day: This little “line-a-day-journaling” book is the best investment I made. For me, the idea of “journaling” every day is daunting. Will I really have time to commit? This is a little journal where there’s literally only room for ONE line — and it’s for five years! It makes me a bit teary-eyed looking back on muine — I’m on year four already. If I go to the very first entry, it’s after my worst surgery. The next year I’m doing my show. The next year I’m in college…and the next one - who knows? Only by writing ONE line every day will get me there!

I can’t recommend a journal like this enough — It’s your story…in time-lapse mode!

4.) Find your story-song: What am I talking about? Have you ever heard a song on the radio that really resonated with you, or with a certain time in your life? Did one song remind you of a terrible break up, or your first kiss, or that party you just couldn’t stop dancing at? Today, find that song and share it — tada. Story shared. This is mine:

5.) Send a card just because: Snail-mail. Ah, how I miss it. I love sending cards because, well, they give me an excuse to write! With a pen — how old fashioned. Today, send a card to a friend, just because. Thank them for the impact they’ve made on your life — big or small. In doing so, you’ll share with them how they’ve become part of your story. And connections make our stories stronger!

6.) Be in the moment. You don’t always know you’re telling a story as you’re living it.

This was a painting I was making inspired by a wet, paint-stained paper-towel.

And this was the “dress” i fashioned out of my paper towel:

01_HealStory.jpg

And what do you know…it turned into something!

7.) Talk. Simple, I know. But speech is healing — and not always as easy as it seems. I learned that first hand when telling the difficult story of my abuse. Talk about difficult things, and talk about happy things too.

So go on and tell your story! But first…

Which step are you starting with today?

Everyone has a story. And there are even more ways to tell it!

Music

Art

Laughter

Cooking

Writing

Talking

Listening

SHARING.

It took me over six years to write my book, My Beautiful Detour: An Unthinkable Journey from Gutless to Grateful - and even longer to live it.

Stories are ongoing. So why not just start telling it midway, right now?

Why should you share your story?

The more stories we hear about turning an obstacle into an opportunity, the more empowered we are to transform our own lives and have confidence that when life DOES surprise us, we’re capable of getting through anything.

Do you have a detour to share?

  • Did life go a different way than you had expected? That’s a DETOUR.

  • Has that unplanned event in your life shaped who you are today? Then, you’re a DETOURIST.

So what does a Detourist do?

Keep traveling, and share their story!

I want you to tell YOUR story of how a detour in your life shaped who you are today.

Are you a Detourist? Yep – you totally are! How can you share your detour?

  • First, read the Guest Post Guidelines.

  • Write to me about it by filling out the Contact form above!

  • Paint your detour, take a picture of it, and tag it with #LoveMyDetour, to be part of my Instagram Detour Challenge, or tweet me!

  • Use ‪#‎LoveMyDetour to scrapbook your travels and know you’re not alone!


This Sunday I’ll be leading a creative storytelling and writing workshop at the Palette of Sisterhood Gallery (96 Bedford Street, Stamford CT) where my art is currently on display. Come for a free event 5-8pm of snacks, creative story prompts, and a…

This Sunday I’ll be leading a creative storytelling and writing workshop at the Palette of Sisterhood Gallery (96 Bedford Street, Stamford CT) where my art is currently on display. Come for a free event 5-8pm of snacks, creative story prompts, and a book signing!

Guest User