Slowdown Diet – Week 7

Sometimes a story is so powerful that it inspires you or changes your life. Other times, a story may simply lift your spirits and give you hope.

Who doesn’t need that? Right?

This week, think about that hidden narrator within you putting a spin on your journey… It that little voice lifting you up or tearing you down? I’d like us to focus on how we can harness the power of our story.

I read a book last year by Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird – so good…). I read it because I need to write my story, and to be honest, I don’t want to. But, I am going to take Anne’s advice and write a really shitty first draft. She also said to listen to your broccoli…(because your broccoli might has the answers)

This exercise is important. Our goal is to be ruthless and strike the storylines that fail to serve us so that we can leave in their place healthier and more vibrant tales. Think about this and be thorough. Oftentimes we are held back by and unable to let go of unhealthy habits because of how we interpret our story from the past. The more we try to escape, the tighter the grip.

You might want to write the whole story, or you might want to do this for a particular hairy deal, like overeating or overdrinking or the fact that you want to choose healthier relationships. Here are a few prompts to get you going:

Describe the various systems and approaches you have taken to [the issue] in the past?

List the strongest beliefs you have about [the issue]. What has changed about those beliefs?

Describe the important life experiences surrounding [the issue]. What have been your biggest challenges? What have been your biggest successes?

What are your most cherished memories around [this issue]?

If you need help with this, reach out! I have more prompt ideas, and I am doing this too.

Also, I’d love to hear your story when you’re ready…