We each have a life narrative that is part success, part failure, and part whatever you need it to be [see photo].
Most people tell stories about their lives [I know I do] as a means of connecting events to an explanation of what happened to them. A story that contains a host of make-believe notions about the past, present, and future. For example, take a long hard look at your current CV or listen to a recording of your messaging in a serious job interview. Those of us who can write or speak well often get hired. However on day one of the job you are forced to negotiate a narrative for your working life in this new position.
If you can negotiate a change to your life narrative then you are truly a rare beast. However if your environment changes [inflation, Ukraine war, hate on all fossil fuels, etc] you will be forced to negotiate a new narrative for life. I did that for myself around 8 to 10 years ago.
Interestingly perhaps... I learnt just how to make this change over 25 years ago [see my little book "Learning to love Albert: negotiate the narrative not the outcome"] because back in that life I had to live with a strong willed 5 year old. What I learnt 25 years ago came in handy when I began to work on myself 10 years ago. Through that process of negotiating a new life narrative for myself I invented my unique version of minimalism. The essence of minimalism [for me] is to focus on individual needs and largely ignore collective wants.
Each narrative is a course of action that leads you into the future. In most respects I view it as a set of first principles for one's future life. Thus it is not a story. It is not a dream. It is not a wish nor a whim. It is not a plan that must be affirmed with quaint rituals each and everyday. Perhaps it can best be described as a live screenplay that casts you in the leading role.
Richard.
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