You ever find yourself knee-deep in a story about your life that you didn’t even write? Yeah, me too.
One day, you’re going along, living your life, and then BAM! Someone drops a line, a comment, a whisper, and suddenly, you’re questioning everything. It’s like an uninvited guest who walked right into your house, sat on your couch, and started telling you what to do.
I remember when it happened to me. I was young, ambitious, and full of dreams. But one offhand comment from someone I barely knew planted a seed of doubt that grew into a towering tree of insecurity. “You’re a failure,” he said. “You’ll never amount to anything.”
He wasn’t a mentor. He wasn’t a friend. Heck, he wasn’t even someone I admired. Yet, somehow, his words got past my defenses and found a home in my heart. And like an idiot, I took it. I let his narrative become mine.
Looking back, I wonder why I gave him that power. He had no authority to speak into my life, yet I handed it to him on a silver platter. We do this more often than we realize. We allow people—sometimes complete strangers—to write chapters in our life story. Why? Because we’re human. Because we doubt ourselves. Because, deep down, we fear they might be right.
But here’s the deal: they’re not.
The only person who gets to write your story is you. Not that random coworker. Not your overly critical aunt. Not the jealous friend who’s too scared to chase their own dreams. You.
So, how do we take back the pen?
First, recognize the voices that don’t belong. Pay attention to the thoughts and beliefs that hold you back. Where did they come from? Who planted them? If the answer isn’t someone you trust and respect, it’s time to uproot them.
Next, reclaim your authority. You are the only one who knows your journey, your struggles, and your victories. No one else has walked in your shoes. No one else has felt what you’ve felt. Remind yourself that you are the author of your own life. You hold the pen, and you get to decide what the next chapter looks like.
Finally, surround yourself with people who lift you up. Find those who believe in you, who see your potential, and who encourage you to be your best self. Their voices are the ones you should listen to. They’re the ones who deserve a place in your story.
It’s time to evict the uninvited guests from your life. It’s time to take back control of your narrative. You are strong. You are capable. And you are the only one who can write your story.
So, what’s your next chapter?