Becoming vulnerable

As a life coach, my clients are invited to use their first session for history…while life coaching typically doesn’t sit in the past, we visit often and the value in summarising how it is you have come to be here in your life in this moment is immense. For me, I am listening to pick up patterns which will give me an indication of possibly underlying belief structures that have been motivating their behaviour. The clients experience of this is always intriguing. Retelling their life story, including memories that occurred when they had an underdeveloped brain, in the here and now with a fully formed brain is always therapeutic…it’s a magical way to get in touch with your younger self and offer perspectives that serve in replacement of ones that did not. This is a huge benefit of a therapeutic intervention.

Connecting with your old story

Allowing memories to slide back in time, to re-enter a scene in which you can recall every detail and sit with that memory…recall every sensual insight. What was happening, the context? How did you feel? What did your environment look like? What thoughts were going through your mind? Focus on the detail. Breath and allow your mind to get curious about the emotions it brings up in your body. Allow yourself to feel these in the here and now….emotions store in our bodies and the truth is no amount of thinking of talking can feel your feelings, they just need to be felt ( obvious but strangely difficult for so many.

Lighter. Relieved. Unblocked. Released.

I believe in journaling as a way to work though this process independently. I am fascinated with the process of writing as a form of healing.

Writing a new story

Writing our stories and sharing them is one of the most powerful ways to grow and make that journey from the head to the heart.

Clients will often see for themselves the patterns they have allowed to become habits in their lives. They notice they have a certain past story, in which they feel stuck…they are the main character and yet the storyline is no longer working for them, they would love a new chapter that’s clean.

That’s where the exciting part comes in, the new clean chapter, in which you can choose what can continue and what needs to be left behind. We can sit in creation and possibility.

By writing our old story, we find ourselves in the midst of a new story, one in which we have the freedom to be our true selves.

Since writing my own story, my walk with anxiety and depression has changed considerably. I have come to accept it as a part of my journey and to realize that healing and growth are available to me if I tune into my needs via writing.

It may not be the whole answer, but it’s a tool, and an extremely effective one.

Where to begin

The thought of writing the story of your past, the beauty and pain, shining at times to areas much easier to leave in the shadows…can be very daunting.

I began with my strongest memories and from there, new memories revealed themselves to me. I also made sure I had an accountability partner to support me on my journey and keep me on track.

But each story I hear or read about, I am moved and humbled and left with a feeling of connection to humanity which for me is the ultimate gift.

You are the only person who can tell your story, and it is only by writing, sharing, and releasing it that you can begin to rewrite your future. My last nudge is to consider how valuable it would have been had you been able to read your own parent’s story, or grandparent…and what a real gift it cold be to your children one day.

Happy writing, reading, and healing xxx

The Writers Circle
Carrie Nidd
ICF/ACC Coach
www.wcglobalpublishing.com