Recently I’ve been talking to more people about Narrative Life Coaching, forging new connections, and renewing some old ones for the future benefit for NLC members. I also have an exciting development to share with you!
One of the questions I’m always asked is what makes Narrative Life Coaching stand out from other kinds of life coaching. The answer I give is the way I work with clients on their visions and goals to enhance creativity and purpose so as to help them live more of the life they want to lead.
When we are faced with so many threats, as we seem to be right now, often the first thing we sacrifice is our creativity. Our brain goes into fight or flight mode as we start to access only the survival part of our brain (the amygdala or reptilian part of our brain) the one that lives in repeat mode. This cuts off the blood supply to our right hemisphere i.e. the part of the brain that allows us to find unity, fulfilment, wholeness, and creative solutions in every moment.
Storytelling is just one way in which we can access the right hemisphere, but it’s also not accentuated in our culture. Usually, we positively promote the left hemisphere: some people call this the ‘realist’, systematic or authoritarian side. It’s the part of the brain which tends to tell us not to trust and that nothing can ever be different. It says: ‘No Way You Can’t Possibly Find A Solution/Be Happy’. When we see others behaving in authoritarian ways, we find ourselves mirroring that. Have you found anyone around you panicking recently?
I like to think of storytelling as a bit like the mycelium layer – the underground network of fungi that nourishes and protects trees in forests enabling them to nurture their kind and sustain themselves. The fungal membranes which connect the forest, world-renowned scientist Suzanne Simard tells us in her book Finding the Mother Tree, are similar to our own neural networks: those which help to nourish us and our families. Storytelling helps us to access our subconscious more quickly than other forms of communication. It helps nourish our connections and creativity. Without this network, we literally forget our own wisdom and how to pass it onto the next generation. Sentience and healing are also contained in the network created by storytelling, just as the mycelium layer protects trees.
Now, I wanted to let you know about an exciting development at NLC. I am finally building a bank of stories in preparation for my online launch. But I need your help with this! What kinds of stories do you like to listen to on a walk or journey?
Stories for change
Stories for peace of mind
Stories for reconnection
Stories for anxiety
Stories for discord
Stories for blame
Stories for setting boundaries
Send me an email or DM me on IG at NarrativeLifeCoaching
Warmly
X Elizabeth Rose