The Story In You
by Faith Canright
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou
She nailed it, didn’t she? Those words stick, a reminder that deep down, we’re all carrying something—a story, a memory, an idea—begging to be let out. And yet, so many of us keep it bottled up, thinking, What if it’s not good enough? What if no one cares?
But here’s the thing: Your story matters. It absolutely does.
It doesn’t have to be perfect or earth-shattering or the next best-seller. The world doesn’t need another cookie-cutter story. But it does need your story.
So what is your story?
Figuring that out can feel overwhelming. Where do you even start? Here’s the BIG SECRET: start anywhere. Yep. That’s what I said.
Maybe it was a turning point, like switching careers or a breakup. Or it could be an object, like an old photograph or a piece of jewelry. Or maybe it’s a memory from your childhood that you can’t seem to shake. It may even be an old building that lights the mystery spark in your eye.
That’s your clue. Stories have a way of tugging at us, asking to be noticed.
If it’s not good enough
Let’s talk about the fear part. Sharing your story is scary. What if people judge it—or worse, what if they ignore it completely?
The truth? Not everyone will love your story. And that’s okay. You’re not writing for everyone. First off, you’re writing for you. Next, you’re writing for the people who need it. There’s someone out there who will connect with your words, who will see themselves in your story.
Where to start
The hardest part? That blank page staring back at you. My best advice is to pick up a blank book and a pen and just journal, and by that I mean write down the first thing that comes into your head. Don’t overthink it. It doesn’t have to be pretty. In fact, it probably won’t be. First drafts are messy—and they should be.
If you’re feeling stuck, I’ve got a book recommendation for you: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s a game-changer for unlocking creativity. One of her best tools is something called “morning pages,” where you write three pages of whatever comes to mind every morning. No editing, no judgment—just letting the words flow. It’s incredible for breaking through the noise and finding your voice.
Why your story matters
Here’s the thing: no one else has lived your life. No one else sees the world exactly like you do. That makes your story unique—and worth telling. When you share it, you’re not just putting words on a page. You’re creating a connection. You’re saying, This is me. This is my experience. And that might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
Let’s do this
So, here’s your nudge to go for it. Open a notebook. Fire up your laptop. Start small. Write about a fear you’ve faced, a lesson you’ve learned, or even a choice you didn’t make.
Your story doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be told. Because there’s nothing worse than carrying it around, waiting for the “right time.” That time is now.
Go on. The world is waiting.
First appeared on faithcanright.com on January 8, 2025: