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5 Questions to Ask Yourself for 2025
What parts of my story feel outdated or no longer true?
Updated December 31, 2024 Reviewed by Kaja Perina
Key points
- Rewriting your story nurtures well-being and opens pathways to resilience and growth.
- Reflect on your story to uncover patterns and rewrite limiting beliefs into possibilities.
- Intentional actions create meaningful shifts, aligning your self-story with growth and aspirations.
- Your story evolves with every choice. This year, write one that reflects resilience and potential.
The New Year invites reflection—a chance to look back at where we’ve been and envision where we want to go. More than just setting resolutions, it’s a moment to explore the personal narratives that shape our choices and define what’s possible. These stories are intricately tied to our well-being, influencing how we perceive challenges and opportunities. Research on narrative identity highlights that understanding and reshaping these internal narratives can enhance life satisfaction and align our actions with our aspirations and potential (Adler et al., 2015).
We all create stories about our lives to give meaning to our experiences (Bauer et al., 2006). These narratives help us make sense of who we are and the choices we make. Some stories inspire growth and resilience, while others lock us into outdated roles or self-critical beliefs. For example, you might believe, “I’m not capable of change,” or, “It’s too late to start over,” without realizing how much it shapes your decisions.
Reflecting on these stories isn’t about rejecting who you’ve been; it’s about recognizing their flexibility and allowing them to evolve as you do. When you rewrite these limiting or outdated beliefs into ones that align with your current values and hopes, you create pathways to greater agency and well-being (Adler et al., 2015).
The process of rewriting your story begins with asking reflective, impactful questions. These questions can uncover the experiences and beliefs that have shaped your life and help you create a narrative that supports your potential and ambitions.
5 Essential Questions to Rewrite Your Story
Use these reflective questions to examine the story you’ve been living and rewrite it to align with who you want to become.
1. What story have I been telling myself about who I am, and how has it influenced my choices?
Take a moment to reflect on any recurring themes in your personal narrative. Are your choices driven by confidence and possibility or limited by fear and doubt? Understanding these patterns can reveal how they’ve shaped your past and offer insights on how to align your future choices with your values and aspirations.
2. What parts of my story feel outdated or no longer true?
As life changes, some aspects of your self-story may feel misaligned with who you are now. What beliefs or roles no longer fit your current self? Perhaps you’ve always identified as the caregiver, but now you’re ready to focus on your own needs and desires. Recognizing these shifts allows you to release narratives that no longer serve you.
3. Who do I want to become in the year ahead, and what stories will support that growth?
Envision the person you want to become this year. What story would that version of you tell about who they are and the opportunities they are ready to embrace? Write these as affirmations to guide your path forward: ‘I am someone who creates connection and growth’ or ‘I meet challenges with courage and resilience.
4. What fears or doubts are holding me back from rewriting my story?
Fear often keeps us stuck in old ways of being. Are you afraid of failure, judgment, or uncertainty? For example, you might hesitate to pursue a new job because of past rejections, believing they define your future potential. Naming these fears can help you see them as thoughts, not truths, and make space for courage to guide your next steps.
5. What is one intentional step I can take to embody a new story?
Even the smallest intentional steps can create meaningful shifts in how you see yourself and what you believe is possible. It could be starting a new project, setting a boundary, or committing to a habit that reflects your aspirations and supports your well-being. Let this step reflect your commitment to growth and embody the story you want to live in the coming year.
An Invitation to Possibility
As a new year begins, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the stories that shape your choices, opportunities, and possibilities. These narratives can either limit or inspire you, depending on how you engage with them. By exploring and challenging your beliefs about who you are, you create space to release those that no longer serve you and embrace ones that align with your values and ambitions. Rewriting these stories is not only transformative but also a crucial step in nurturing your well-being and realizing your potential (Adler et al., 2015). Your story isn’t fixed; it’s a living reflection of your growth, evolving with every choice you make. This year, write one that reflects your resilience, growth, and limitless possibilities.
References
Adler, J. M., Lodi-Smith, J., Philippe, F. L., & Houle, I. (2015). The Incremental Validity of Narrative Identity in Predicting Well-Being. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(2), 142–175. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315585068
Bauer, J. J., McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2006). Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 81–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-006-9021-6
Vanden Poel, L., & Hermans, D. (2019). Narrative Coherence and Identity: Associations With Psychological Well-Being and Internalizing Symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01171
