THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

S is for Storytelling

Inspiration can come to you in the craziest places. And most recently I found some on Sesame Street. During the letter of the day, they explored storytelling. The characters said “anyone can write a story”. And it really resonated with me. Elmo resonated with me. I must really be losing it.

I’ve told little bits of my experience with grief but all along I had so much more to say. I have a binder bursting with notes and writings from the last eight years. I always knew I wanted to share but I couldn’t find the guts to do it. So many things have led me here but the one that smacked me in the face came from a children’s TV show. Sometimes inspiration finds you when you aren’t looking for it. I never thought I’d get it from a little red monster.

There are obviously so many different kinds of stories. Fictional stories that can take your mind to an imaginary place. You have romantic, horror, comedy, fantasy, drama, the list goes on and on. But what I’m most interested in is the personal story. The one’s where we express what made us who we are today. The stories about growth and how we overcame the big stuff, the hard stuff.

There are two big reasons why I think sharing our stories is so important. The first is actually quite selfish. It makes you feel good, and helps you understand yourself better. It can show you a whole new way to look at your situation. When I process something on paper or talk it out, it’s like that part of myself is healing. Much like sitting in a therapist’s office, but just with little old me. And it’s fo free! Whatever I am holding onto starts to feel less heavy. And as someone who’s dealt with quite a bit of emotional pain, I can’t tell you how good that feels. 10/10 would recommend.

The second reason is the connection that it builds. The moment when you are having a heart to heart with someone and there are lots of “YES!” “ME TOO!” - I love those moments. I love them a lot. I think very few things are more powerful than feeling heard and seen. And you’ll often be able to connect your own experiences with parts of other peoples stories if you truly listen. When you can relate to someone else’s struggle it immediately relaxes you and makes you feel less alone.

Whenever I read or hear about someone who has overcome a struggle in their life, it fires me up. All I can think of is how that person is a badass and I am SO damn inspired by them. When you share, it gives other people permission to do the same. And that is a gift. Connection is so freaking incredible.

So! That’s why I think the world needs more storytellers. You have no idea who you could be inspiring or who’s day you could be making, or in all honesty whose life you could be saving.

So, share. Please share. Share the hard things and good things too! Talk about your feelings. And in a really honest and authentic way. It’s scary as hell but it’s so worth it. If I finally found the courage to do it (thanks Elmo) then I know others can too.

I really believe that the good it can do is endless.