It’s crazy the stories we tell in our own minds, isn’t it?

We sure can craft up some Oscar-worthy moments of pain and horror and anguish and disaster and disappointment.

And maybe what actually comes to pass is somewhat related to the story we concocted. Often though, the story that presents itself in real life has nothing whatsoever to do with our imaginary one. And rarely have we hit the nail on the head, crafting a story in our minds that plays out exactly how we imagined it.

We don’t play this game as frequently with the good scenarios, the delightful possibilities, the great ‘what-ifs’ filled with amazing and miraculous turns of good fortune, do we?

And even though those would probably have the same odds as playing out as our imaginations described them as the doom-and-gloom stories do, we’d at least have a lot more fun in the imagining.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Why do we spend so much mental energy rehearsing for heartache instead of delight?

Sure, some of it is self-protection. “If I imagine the worst, I won’t be as disappointed when it happens.” (Except—you still are. And now you’ve experienced the pain twice: once in your mind, and again in real life. It’s the famous “second arrow” concept.)

What if we flipped the script?

What if, instead of bracing for the fall, we imagined the flight? What if we mentally rehearsed for joy? For relief? For being met, loved, celebrated, chosen, safe?

What if we gave our nervous systems the experience of that?

Would it change the outcome? Maybe not.
Would it change us in the meantime? Absolutely.

Because the truth is, we’re making up stories anyway. So why not make up better ones?

🧭 Here’s Your Compass Points:

Tell yourself a better story.
You’re already the author—might as well give the main character a break (and a brilliant plot twist.)

Give yourself a montage.
You know the montages in movies where the main character finally gets their sh$% together? The Rocky movies are my favorite for this — he’s struggling, feeling defeated, knowing there is no path to victory— and then BAM, we get some “Eye of the Tiger” and a phenomenal workout sequence where he goes from “there’s no way” to “just try and stop me.” Yeah… give yourself a good montage. Put on montage-esque music and dance, or try on clothes in front of the mirror or run while punching the air. Don’t stop until you feel a hint of “just try and stop me” start to tickle the edges of your heart and mind.

Play the “What If—But In a Good Way” game.
Pick one area where you're feeling uncertain—work, love, health, whatever—and write a "ridiculously optimistic" version of what could happen. Go full fairytale if you want. Then read it out loud. Maybe twice. Watch how your body responds.

🌟Reflection Questions:

What’s a recent story I invented in my head that never actually happened that way? How did that story affect the way I felt, reacted, or showed up? What’s one small, beautiful “what if?” I could start telling myself today?