It’s Just a Story — Not the Whole Truth

(bright music) Headspace Studio. (bright music) (soft music) Hey, welcome to "Radio Headspace." I'm Dora, and I'm really glad that you're here. A few years back, my cousin was applying for college, and she had one particular school on her vision board. It was the dream. She poured her heart into the application, and even flew across the country for an in-person interview. And then, unfortunately, the rejection letter arrived. Days later she casually said, "I guess I'm just not smart enough." And I said, you know, maybe that's just one story you're telling yourself right now. It wasn't intended as a quick fix, just an invitation to consider another possibility. We all tell stories, stories about who we are, what we deserve, what other people think of us. Sometimes these stories are rooted in truth, and sometimes they're shaped by fear, by disappointment, by the need to make meaning out of things that hurt. When we feel uncertain our minds try to protect us by filling in the blanks, but just because a story feels familiar doesn't mean it's true. When I was fresh out of high school, there was this one job I wanted more than anything. It seemed perfect, exciting, meaningful, and aligned exactly with what I imagined myself doing. I prepared meticulously, submitted a thoughtful application, and felt so sure it was meant to be, but then I was rejected and my heart sank. Immediately my mind jumped in with a harsh story. Clearly, I'm not good enough. I must have misread the signs. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this, but then as my mom has always done, she reminded me, Dora, that's just one story that you're telling yourself. Maybe it just wasn't the right time or place. Something even better may be waiting for you. In that moment it wasn't about dismissing my feelings, or fixing the disappointment. It was an invitation to be curious, an invitation to consider what else could be true, and writing a different story. So today, let's try something. Notice the stories you're telling yourself, especially when things don't go your way. A tough conversation, a missed opportunity, or a rejection. Are you telling yourself things like, I wasn't enough? I always mess things up. Why did I even try? What if these stories aren't the whole truth? What if there's another story that's also true? Like things didn't go as planned, but I'm proud I gave it a shot. Maybe that tough conversation was exactly what I needed. I'm figuring things out, and it's okay to make mistakes. You don't have to feel better instantly, but noticing your narrative is a gentle way to create some breathing room. It's an opportunity to choose a kinder, more compassionate story. You are not your worst moments. You're also not the story your fear tells. You're the one who gets to decide what this moment means. I'll leave it there for today. Thanks so much for hanging out, and...