This week, I’ve been reflecting on the stories we tell.
Not just the big, dramatic stories — but the everyday ones. The casual mentions. The old memories that pop up in conversation without us even noticing.
Because every time we tell a story, we reinforce it.
Every time we recall a moment, we strengthen the neural pathway that keeps it alive.
Our brains are incredibly efficient at wiring and re-wiring.
What we repeat, we remember.
What we focus on, we become.
This isn’t about judging ourselves for remembering the past.
It’s human. It’s natural.
Our experiences shape us.
They’re worthy of being seen and honored.
But sometimes, without meaning to, we keep ourselves stuck in patterns that no longer serve us simply by repeating them. I noticed myself doing this too much lately.
Every time we say:
“This always happens to me.”
“I’m the kind of person who…”
“That’s just my trauma.”
“My ex did this…”
We deepen that groove in the brain.
We make it easier to travel that same road next time.
Neuroscience shows us that new pathways can always be built.
But it’s intentional.
It’s daily.
It’s iterative work.
This Week’s Invitation:
Notice how often you reference something from the past that you don’t want to carry forward.
Catch the moment.
Pause.
Ask yourself:
“Is this who I want to be today?”
“Is this the story I want to strengthen?”
“What new thought or truth could I choose right now?”
Maybe instead of:
“I always shut down in conflict.”
It becomes:
“I’m in process and ready to stay open, even when it’s hard.”
Or instead of:
“I was so hurt by that breakup.”
It becomes:
“I’m so excited about the relationships I'm building..”
You can try taking these new sentences and reinforcing them in a cold plunge or cold showr.
>> New pathways are built one choice at a time.
>> One phrase at a time.
>> One moment of awareness at a time.
Let’s practice together.