Day Two: On Shedding Old Narratives
Our First Annual Lunar New Year Journaling Challenge
The past year was a shattering of old narratives for me.
I had to reckon with many long-held beliefs I held for myself, my home country, and the many worlds I exist in as a daughter, wife, mother - the multitude of roles we hold in our lives.
At first, I felt deeply resistant to it. I was comfortable about my old beliefs and the narratives I’d always known. I thought I’d had the world all figured out. And I didn’t want anything coming in to shake that up.
But the truth doesn’t wait idly outside of our doors.
Once I began to accept that many of those old narratives were no longer true to me, I could start to see a clearer picture of myself, and reassess my place in all of those roles. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t difficult, or disappointing. But if I was going to find a way forward, I had to boldly face those truths.
Narratives can shape our beliefs, intentions, and actions. They hold power in our lives.
For today’s prompt, I invite you to think and explore - without judgement - any old narratives about yourself, your past, or your present that you are holding onto.
Before we begin, I’ll leave you with the words of the inimitable Palestinian writer, Mahmoud Darwish, whose writing has long inspired my own.
Day Two Lunar New Year Journaling Prompt:
The Lunar New Year is a time of renewal—a chance to release what no longer serves us and go gently ahead with clarity and intention. Just as it is tradition to sweep out our homes to welcome good fortune, we can also clear out old narratives that don’t define or serve us.
✨ Reflect & Write:
What is one outdated story about yourself that you’re ready to release?
How has this narrative shaped your actions, choices, or mindset in the past?
If you could rewrite this story, what would the new version sound like?
Imagine yourself a year from now—how does this new belief shape your life?
Remember to take a few deep breathes before you begin, and write!
Here’s to shedding old narratives together, my beloved readers.
Love,
Summer