Jun 21

Jun 21 Why it's So Important to Own Your Story

Are you aware that you're the only 'you' on the planet? You probably are aware of this, but I figured I would remind you.

Just in case.

You have a story. Since you're the only one like you, your story is different than EVERYONE else's story.

It's very easy to hide and protect our stories like sheltered children. It's easy not to share with others the things that we tirelessly struggle with just because it's hard and we don't really like being vulnerable. Being vulnerable means we can get hurt, and that's not fun.

Just because it's easy, does that mean it's what we should do? HECK TO THE NO.

It is so crucial for us to share our stories and OWN them. Do you know how many people you can help simply because you decided to speak up? (I'll answer that by quoting Mean Girls: the limit does not exist!)

When you try to pretend that your story is not your own, you are selling yourself short of the power to write an amazing ending. When you lose power as writer of your story, you give up ownership; thus, someone else will continue your story for you. It's going to get published one way or another. Wouldn't you like to have a say in the plot, the climax, and the resolution? (Maybe pick a Prince Charming as well? Eh? Eh?)

We try to put labels on ourselves when in reality we are not simply one thing or two things or even ten things. You see it all the time on social media, because so many sites ask you to write a bio for yourself...how many times do you see "Becca // Fitness // Clean Eating // CPT // Dog Lover" in an Instagram bio?! You're limiting yourself, Becca. YOU'RE MORE THAN A CLEAN EATING DOG LOVER!

Don't you want the power to be anything? To change your story? Before you can do that, you must own your story. Share it. Accept and embrace it. It's yours! Good or bad--it's yours.

I'm not saying you must share your story with a frighteningly large amount of people on the Internet like myself and many other writers out there. I'm just saying share it. Whether it's with your church, your friends, your family, your co-workers...just share it.