THERE IS SO MUCH TO YOUR STORY

There is so much to your story. There is so much depth to who you are, your experiences, your emotions. However, at times, it can be difficult to figure out how to express this. It can take a lot of energy to describe things and search for the right words, even when it comes to experiences we’re intimately familiar with. However, it can make a difference to give yourself permission to practice and exploring what it means to bring forth words with meaning and intention.

Paying attention to the nuances of language can be incredibly helpful. By focusing on the subtle details of how you describe even the most ordinary experiences, you can develop a richer way of expressing yourself. Learning to notice and nurture these details helps you find your unique way of communicating in conversations, in your journal, and in daily life.

Here’s an exercise you can try:

Storytelling Insights Exercise

This exercise invites you to explore the subtle differences in how we perceive and describe shared experiences, ultimately helping you to find language for your own story.

 1 - Think of a recent, neutral or positive experience with someone else, like a dinner conversation or a trip to the grocery store. Write down 3-5 words that describe the overall feeling or atmosphere of that experience (e.g., relaxing, warm, busy). Don't worry about being creative—just note what comes to mind. 

2 - Reach out to the person you shared the experience with. Explain you're doing a journaling exercise: “Random question. What 3-5 words describe [briefly describe the experience] for you? I'm doing a quick journaling exercise.”

3 - Compare your lists. Take note of word similarities and differences. Do they highlight different parts of the experience?

4 - Observe even in shared experiences, we each perceive, describe, and tell stories differently.

Alternative Exercise: Describe an experience today using 5 words. In 3 days, describe the same experience again without looking at your original words. Did anything change?

Why This Matters: This exercise helps you validate your voice by showing how we all perceive and describe even simple experiences differently. 

This can have a profound impact on the stories we tell. When you can acknowledge and embrace these differences, it creates an opportunity for deeper connections and an opportunity to grow in confidence and it also allows you to connect more deeply with others and learn how they tell stories. You can start to notice your unique way of finding language for a store by noticing the subtle differences in how you (and others) describe even the most simple things. Let this exercise help you explore your own unique way of communicating in conversations, in your journal, and in daily life.

More tomorrow…
Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols