2024 is here and it’s the time when many of us start reflecting on the stories we told ourselves over the past year. You know the ones–the ones that held us back, the ones that made us feel stuck, the ones that made us feel like we should have it all figured out by now. In the past year, I’ve noticed three recurring stories from my clients.

1. “I should have figured this out by now.”

This is a story that leads to feelings of shame and embarrassment. It’s a relentless voice in your head telling you that you should have everything sorted out. It leaves you feeling like you’re somehow behind in the race of life.

2. “It’s too hard, why try?”

Have you ever caught yourself thinking that something is just too hard, so why bother trying? This story causes feelings of hopelessness and overwhelm, making it challenging to see a way out or muster the energy to tackle what seems daunting.

3. “I just don’t have the time.”

This is a story of stress and overwhelm. It floods you with a sense of powerlessness. It’s that perpetual thought that there’s just not enough time in the day to do what you truly want to do.

Whether these stories are at the forefront of your mind or lurking in the shadows, they’re keeping you right where you are – stuck.

Think about it, when life already has you feeling stretched thin, it’s tough to imagine finding the time and energy for something new. When change seems too hard, it’s easy to feel helpless and struggle to see a way forward.

But here’s the truth – you shouldn’t feel embarrassed or like something is wrong with you for not having it all figured out by now. Life’s a journey, not a checklist.

The Promise of Change

You can solve whatever problem you’re facing. But, it won’t happen without changing your thinking.

This is where the magic of unlearning comes into play.

This year, give yourself the gift of unlearning.

• Unlearn the idea that everything must be figured out yesterday.
• Unlearn the notion that things need to be perfect to be good.
• Unlearn the belief that you have to fix everyone else’s problems.
• Unlearn the notion that you must prioritize others’ needs before your own.

Your brain is a trainable powerhouse, capable of rewriting any story. But if you don’t give yourself the space to change your thinking, nothing will change.