Language and Stories
We’re always telling ourselves stories. Sometimes out loud, often in our heads. These stories take shape in the words we use, almost without thinking. But lately, I’ve started to wonder: What if the language we use isn’t just a mirror of our thinking — but a map that leads it?
This thought came to me quietly on a Saturday morning. I was journaling — not with any goal in mind, just letting thoughts unfold — when I noticed a phrase slip out of my pen:
“I want to sweat the small stuff less.”
At first glance, it seems harmless enough. But then I paused. Why “I want to”? Why not “I am sweating the small stuff less” or even “I no longer sweat the small stuff”?
It hit me how often I phrase my inner dialogue in the future tense — constantly reaching, never quite arriving. It made me realise that even in moments of peace, I narrate my life as though it’s just out of reach. And if I keep speaking that way, how will I ever feel present?
Words as Cues
This wasn’t just about one phrase. It led me down a rabbit hole of noticing the emotional charge behind everyday words. Review makes my shoulders tense - however, it’s a reality of our industry. Deadline feels like a ticking bomb. Even news — it rarely signals anything light. Language has an energetic imprint. Some words root us; others push us into anxiety before we’ve even had coffee. And it’s not just about external messaging — it’s about the scripts we whisper to ourselves.
When I say, “I want to be less anxious,” I’m reinforcing the idea that I am anxious. That I’m stuck. That there’s something lacking. But when I say, “I am breathing deeper today,” or “I am finding calm,” something inside me shifts. Language becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy — for better or worse.
Rewriting My Script
That morning, without even trying to, I started rewriting my inner script. I chose quieter, steadier language. Not affirmations — just adjustments. I moved from grasping to grounding. From “I want to” to “I am.”
The shift was subtle. But it changed the way I moved through my morning. I felt less like I had to fix something and more like I was simply being. When hubby and I went out for coffee, I scrambled through my bag, searching for my phone, however when I came up empty handed I smiled and laughed. I knew where the phone was so I wasn’t stressed.
What about you?
What phrases do you catch yourself repeating that keep you stuck in striving mode? What words could bring you home to now?
If this post struck a chord, I’d love to hear from you. Language matters — in our work, our relationships, and the stories we carry. Drop me a note and let’s talk about rewriting yours.