Rewriting Narratives

The Words You Choose Are Shaping Your Reality

Guess what... your brain doesn't just interpret language—it's constantly being rewired by it. This is the foundation of positive psychology, and it's not about toxic positivity or pretending challenges don't exist. It's about recognizing that the language we use creates the lens through which we experience our lives.

When you say "I'm trying to quit sugar," your brain fixates on deprivation and restriction. You're building a story about what you're losing. But when you shift to "I'm choosing foods that give me sustained energy throughout my day," you've just rewritten the narrative entirely. Now your brain is focused on what you're gaining, and suddenly the same action—passing on that cookie—feels completely different.

The challenge? Most of us have been speaking to ourselves in deficit language for years, even decades. These patterns are deeply grooved, running on autopilot beneath our conscious awareness.

The Science Behind the Shift

Your internal narrative isn't just commentary; it's the architect of your emotional experience. Positive psychology research shows that reframing from avoidance language ("away from" something negative) to approach language ("toward" something positive) activates different neural pathways. Approach-oriented language lights up the reward and motivation centers in your brain, while avoidance language triggers stress and fear responses.

This matters enormously when you're navigating any health journey or any significant lifestyle transformation. You're not just changing behaviors—you're reshaping your relationship with yourself. And that work is exponentially more effective when you have someone in your corner who can catch your limiting narratives and help you rewrite them in real-time.

Reframing in Action - some actual examples

Let's look at how this plays out in real scenarios:

Instead of "I need to lose weight because I'm unhappy with how I look," try "I'm moving toward a body that feels strong and capable in ways that matter to me." The first centers shame; the second centers possibility.

Instead of "I have to stop eating late at night," consider "I'm honoring my body's natural rhythms by finishing meals earlier." One feels like punishment; the other feels like care.

Instead of "I'm bad at sticking to exercise routines," reframe to "I'm discovering what movement feels joyful and sustainable for my life right now." You've just transformed failure into exploration.

Instead of "I shouldn't feel tired all the time," try "I'm curious about what my body is telling me and how I can support my energy levels." The shift from judgment to curiosity opens entirely new possibilities.

And a tough one, "I want to quit smoking" keeps you mentally tethered to cigarettes. But "I'm moving toward enhanced lung capacity and heart health that lets me keep up with my kids and feel vibrant" gives your brain a compelling vision to move toward. That's powerful fuel.

Why Coaching Makes This Sustainable

You can read about reframing and understand it intellectually. But implementing it consistently—especially during moments of stress, fatigue, or self-doubt—is where most people struggle alone. A health coach acts as both mirror and guide:

We hear the language you use about yourself that you've stopped noticing. We catch the "shoulds," the "can'ts," and the deficit-focused narratives that keep you stuck in old patterns.

We help you build new neural pathways through consistent, gentle redirection toward possibility-focused language. Repetition with support is what makes change stick.

We create accountability structures that make reframing a daily practice rather than an occasional insight. Because sustainable transformation isn't built on motivation—it's built on systems.

We hold space for the messy middle, where change feels awkward and your old narratives fight back. Having someone who believes in your capacity for change when you're struggling to believe in it yourself changes everything.

This is the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it consistently enough that it becomes who you are.

Ready to Rewrite Your Narrative?

If you're recognizing yourself in those deficit-focused patterns and you're ready for support in creating sustainable change, I'm currently accepting 1:1 coaching clients. My coaching packages provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique challenges, goals, and the life you're building—whether you're navigating GLP-1 medications, restructuring your relationship with food and movement, or working toward holistic wellness transformation.

Through January 31st, I'm still honoring 2025 pricing—saving you 25% on both 6-session and 12-session packages. This isn't a discount; it's simply the last opportunity to lock in last year's rates before my 2026 pricing takes effect in February.

When you book your package today, you're not just saving 25%—you're investing in the support that turns temporary changes into lasting transformation. You're giving yourself the gift of someone in your corner who can help you hear and shift the narratives that have been holding you back.

Every time you catch yourself in deficit-focused language and shift toward possibility-focused language with support and accountability, you're literally rewiring your brain's default settings. The question isn't whether you can change—it's whether you'll have the support that makes that change sustainable.

​Book your 6 or 12-session package at 2025 pricing before January 31st →​

Warmly,
Sally