"Our life stories often contain themes drawn from the key lessons of our most memorable experiences. Some themes in our life stories are uplifting; others drag us down. If your most memorable stories are about how bad things always happen to you and there's nothing you can do about them, then perhaps your life story might be named Cork in the Ocean: You're tossed around by forces absolutely beyond your control."
"If this is your life story, you can see how it negatively shapes the way you respond to the world around you. If you encounter an obstacle, you might assume there's nothing you can do to fix it. You are quick to give up. In short, your life story exerts a powerful influence on your life. Here are some additional common life story themes I've noticed:"
Identity can be framed as narrative identity: the memorable stories a person tells about life that integrate past, present, and future. Humans are wired for stories, remembering anecdotes better than statistics and using stories to understand selves and others. Life stories often reflect themes drawn from key lessons of memorable experiences; some themes uplift while others drag people down. Repeated stories of helplessness lead to assumptions that obstacles are uncontrollable, fostering quick surrender. Life stories exert powerful influence over responses, choices, and development. Common life-story themes include Murphy's Law, Ghost in the Room, Social Minefield, Porcupine Hug, Never Enough, Golden Birthright, and Master of the Universe.
Read at Psychology Today
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