Have you seen the movie Stranger Than Fiction?? If not, Will Farrell suddenly hears his life being narrated by Emma Thompson. Chaos ensues…
But, the great thing about it is that you can get the idea of your life being narrated. And I suggest you do the narrating!
As you go about your day, imagine Samuel L. Jackson or Kermit the Frog in your head narrating. And tell yourself the most beautiful, empowering stories you can think of. Stories where everyone gets the benefit of the doubt. Stories where everyone is forgiven, even you. Everyone is loved, even you. Stories that make mundane things sound adventuresome.
“Yes, Christina took too long to drink her cappuccino. But room-cooled coffee would not get her down today. And if she can overcome this, she can overcome anything.”
You can tell yourself the truth, without sugar-coating it or wallowing in it. And it works in the first person too.
“I was feeling lonely tonight so I went to the gym.”
See? Dopey, yes. The crazy thing is that it works. Narrating life is a form of storytelling that gives us some emotional distance from ourselves. That bit of distance helps us see things clearer, make better decisions and improve our mood.
You’re telling yourself a story whether you’re aware of it or not. You may as well tell yourself a fun story!
Do you know The Brown Sisters?