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Have you ever found yourself shaping your story to fit the narrative you think others want to hear? We’ve all done it—leaning into a version of events that makes us more likable, less flawed, or more heroic. Sometimes we soften the messy parts. Other times we rewrite entire chapters in our heads, hoping that if we say it enough, it might even become real.

But here’s the hard truth: the truth doesn’t need makeup. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always powerful.

I’ve learned—through some deeply humbling experiences—that when you shift your narrative to fit a certain story, you’re not just editing the details. You’re silencing the power behind what actually happened. The pain. The growth. The accountability. The redemption. All of that gets watered down when you dress your truth up in a costume it was never meant to wear.

We often twist the narrative because we fear judgment. We fear rejection. We fear that if people knew the real version of our story—the one with broken pieces, bad decisions, and raw humanity—they’d walk away.

But what if they didn’t?

What if the version you’ve been trying to hide is the very one someone else needs to hear to feel less alone? What if your unedited truth holds the key to someone else’s healing?

The thing is, people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with vulnerability. With imperfection. With stories that feel real because they are real.

When we shift the narrative to make ourselves the victim, or the savior, or the misunderstood hero, we rob ourselves of the growth that comes from saying, “Yes, I did that. Yes, I hurt. Yes, I failed. And yes, I got back up.”

The truth might sting. It might shake things up. It might cause some people to look at you differently. But the right ones? The ones meant to walk this journey with you? They’ll respect your honesty. They’ll value your courage. They’ll stay.

So if you’re struggling with a story you’ve been telling that no longer feels aligned with who you are, take a breath. Reclaim your truth. Let go of the narrative you thought you had to protect. Because the truth, even when it hurts, holds far more power than any story you could manufacture.

And that truth? It’s where the real freedom begins!