Your Story By Design

Lean into the Most Genuine Parts of Your Story and See Where It Takes You

They say practice makes perfect, but you can’t exactly practice not being yourself and expect to magically transform into something else. Sure, you can fake it for a while—maybe even fool a few (or several) people—but let’s be real, the internal battle? Exhausting.

For years, I tried to move opposite of what felt natural and most authentic to me. I thought success meant finding one thing—one lane, one focus, one identity—and mastering it. The problem? I’ve never been a one-thing person. My interests are more like a buffet than a carefully curated tasting menu. And for the longest time, I saw this as a flaw.

The Little Explorer Within

As I reflected on why I struggled so much with this, I took a little trip back to childhood—where answers to adult dilemmas often reside. I remembered being endlessly curious, always diving headfirst into something new. One day I was obsessed with reading, convinced I’d be a teacher. The next, I was certain I’d be a therapist, then an interior designer, then a journalist. My interests were like summer flings—intense, passionate, and over before the season ended.

Fast forward to adulthood, and while the world calls this multi-passionate or multi-potentialite, it often felt more like scatterbrained. Society tells us to “pick a path and stick with it.” But my path looked more like an Etch A Sketch—lines everywhere, constantly shaking things up and starting over. And trying to fit myself into a neatly labeled box? Pure misery.

The Moment I Stopped Fighting

At some point, I had to ask myself: Why am I trying so hard to be something I’m not?

The answer? Because I thought that’s what I should do. But when I leaned into the most genuine part of my story—that I’m a natural learner, an explorer who thrives on new experiences—it changed everything. Instead of trying to fix what wasn’t broken, I started embracing it. And let me tell you, the relief? Instant. The stress? Lifted. The joy? Through the roof.

What About You? Identifying Your Authentic Story

Leaning into your most genuine story isn’t just about self-acceptance; it’s about thriving. Often, the things we resist the most are the very things that make us us. And if you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or constantly at odds with yourself, maybe you’re resisting something too authentic to abandon.

So, if this sparks any curiosity, here are a few ways to explore and discover more of your authentic story:

1. Revisit Childhood Patterns

Think back to when you were a child. What activities made time disappear? What role did you naturally take in play or group settings? Often, the things we were drawn to as children hold clues about what genuinely excites us.

Try this: Make a list of the things you loved doing as a kid and reflect on which of those interests still excite you today.

2. Recognize Recurring Themes

What experiences, roles, or challenges seem to repeat in your life? Are there certain lessons that keep showing up? These patterns often indicate what’s deeply important to you.

Try this: Write down the significant moments in your life. Look for themes or experiences that stand out.

3. Clarify Your Core Values

Your values are the compass guiding your most authentic story. When your life aligns with them, things feel right. When it doesn’t, everything feels like an uphill battle.

Try this: Identify your top three values and why they matter to you.

4. Pay Attention to Energy & Emotions

What lights you up? What drains you? Energy doesn’t lie. When you engage in activities that align with your authentic self, you feel energized. When you force yourself into roles that don’t fit, exhaustion sets in quickly.

Try this: Take note of when you feel the most alive and fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you with?

5. Examine Pivotal Life Moments

Think about the defining moments that shaped you. What experiences changed your outlook? These moments often hold powerful insights about what truly matters to you.

Try this: Write a timeline of major life events. Highlight the ones that had the biggest impact on who you are today.

6. Consider the ‘Life Clock’ Exercise

Imagine you have only one year left to live, but you’ll be at your healthiest and most energized. What would you do with your time? What impact would you want to make? This exercise strips away distractions and reveals what is truly meaningful to you.

Try this: Write down the things you would do if time and fear weren’t a factor. Are you already doing any of them?

7. Look at What Others See in You

Sometimes, the people around us see our gifts more clearly than we do. Pay attention to the compliments you frequently receive. What do people come to you for advice or guidance on?

Try this: Ask a few close friends or family members what they believe are your natural strengths. You might be surprised by the patterns that emerge.

8. Notice What You Resist

Are there aspects of yourself you’ve tried to suppress or change? What parts of your identity or interests have you been told are ‘too much’ or ‘unrealistic’? Often, what we resist the most is actually part of our most authentic self.

Try this: Reflect on times when you’ve tried to ‘tone down’ or change something about yourself. What if that’s actually your superpower?

Your Authentic Story Through Human Design

Your Human Design can offer powerful insights into how you naturally engage with life and make aligned decisions. Here’s how different energy types might experience authenticity:

• Generators & Manifesting Generators: Your story unfolds through excitement and energy. Pay attention to what lights you up—those are the breadcrumbs leading you to your most authentic path.

• Projectors: Your story is about guiding and seeing things others might miss. You thrive when you recognize your own wisdom and wait for the right invitations to share it. Lean into roles where you feel valued rather than pushing to keep up with others.

• Manifestors: Your story is about initiating and making things happen. Authenticity comes from trusting your urge to start new paths, even if they don’t make sense to others. When you feel the pull to create, follow it.

• Reflectors: Your story is about sampling different experiences and reflecting the world around you. Authenticity for you means embracing fluidity rather than forcing a single identity. Lean into environments that feel right, and give yourself time to process before making big decisions.

Try this: Look up your Human Design type and reflect on how it aligns with the way you approach your story. Does it validate what you already know about yourself? Does it help you see a pattern in what brings you fulfillment?

The Takeaway

Your authentic story isn’t something you invent—it’s something you uncover. It’s already within you, woven through your experiences, values, and natural tendencies. The key is to stop resisting and start embracing what has been true for you all along.

So, lean in. Be curious. Explore. Discover. See where your most genuine story takes you. Who knows? It might just lead you to the life you were always meant to live.