Building an appetite for DEIB,
one breath at a time

A woman writing her script on a paper with a pencil and the background is a road.

Rewrite Your Story: Break Free from Life’s Scripts

, 4 mins read

Imagine a library where every book tells the same story. Different characters, perhaps, but identical plots, predictable twists, and uniform endings.

Boring, right?

Yet, for many of us, this is precisely how we approach life – following well-worn narratives, trodding familiar paths, and reaching predetermined milestones.

We all have them – these unspoken narratives that shape our choices, mold our ambitions, and sometimes, clip our wings before we even attempt to fly. They’re the social blueprints we inherit, often without realizing, that tell us how our lives “should” unfold.

But what if these scripts are more prison than pathway? What if the story you’re living isn’t the one you’d write for yourself?

So, let’s unravel these scripts and challenge our assumptions. For that, the first step is to understand what life scripts are.

What exactly is a life script?

A life script is far more than just a set of expectations – it’s a complex, internalized narrative that profoundly influences how we navigate our existence. These scripts act as unspoken roadmaps, guiding our major life decisions and shaping our perception of what constitutes a fulfilling, successful life.

These deeply embedded belief systems are formed through an intricate web of influences.

Cultural norms play a significant role, telling us what’s considered “normal” or “acceptable” within a given society. These norms can dictate everything from career choices to relationship milestones, often varying widely between different cultures and communities.

Family traditions and values are other aspects shaping our life scripts. The lessons we learn at home, the examples set by our parents and relatives, and the family stories passed down through generations all contribute to our understanding of how life “should” unfold. These familial influences can be powerful motivators, sometimes pushing us to fulfill dreams our parents couldn’t, or to maintain long-standing family traditions.

Societal pressures and definitions of success also play a major part in influencing our scripts. Media portrayals of “ideal” lives have an increasingly significant impact on our life scripts in the digital age. From carefully curated social media profiles to romanticized depictions of certain lifestyles in films and TV shows, we’re constantly bombarded with images of what a “successful” life looks like.

Lastly, there are early childhood experiences. The praise or criticism we received as children, the opportunities we were given or denied, and the early successes or failures we experienced all shape our beliefs about what we’re capable of and what we deserve in life.

A woman writing her script on a paper with a pencil and the background is a road.

Life script and their "shoulds"

These scripts often manifest as a series of “shoulds”:

  • You should have a traditional career path
  • You should be married by a certain age
  • You should own property
  • You should have children
  • You should prioritize financial stability over passion

The power and pitfalls of life scripts

Now, don’t get us wrong. 

Life scripts aren’t inherently negative. They can offer a wealth of value like a sense of belonging and cultural identity, and guidelines for navigating complex life choices and stability.

It’s when you blindly follow them that they can lead to the suppression of individual desires, missed opportunities, and feelings of inadequacy, and eventually make you lead an inauthentic life.

Unpacking your life script

It is possible to create your own script and avoid falling into the “should’ trap. Here’s a short guide.

#1 Recognize the script

The first step is awareness. Pay attention to the “shoulds” that govern your decisions. Where do these expectations come from? Are they truly aligned with your values and aspirations?

#2 Question the narrative

Challenge each element of your life script. Ask questions to probe assumptions.

Why do I believe this is the “right” path? How might my life look different if I chose an alternative?

#3 Explore what you truly want

Peel back the layers of societal expectations to uncover your true wants and needs. Try to recognize what brings you genuine joy and fulfilment. Imagine what your life would look like and what choices you would make if all external pressures were removed.

#4 Rewrite your story

And now, armed with self-awareness, begin crafting a new narrative. Set goals that align with your personal values and aspirations. Visualize alternative life paths and their potential outcomes. Embrace the idea that there’s no single “correct” way to live.

#4 Seek support and new perspectives

Breaking free from ingrained scripts can be challenging. Surround yourself with diverse role models who’ve charted unconventional paths. Form or join a supportive community that encourages authenticity. Obtain professional guidance through therapy or life coaching, if needed.

Above all, embrace flexibility and growth because rewriting your life script is an ongoing process. This will allow you to be open to course corrections as you evolve, and practice self-compassion when there are setbacks.

When you take control of your life script, you open doors to increased self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of empowerment. You are also able to build deeper, more genuine relationships.

Rewriting your script isn’t easy, of course. You are bound to face pushback, doubts, and obstacles. But the power to change lies solely within you. So, pick up that pen. That blank page before you isn’t a void to fear, but a canvas of limitless possibility.

Table of Content

Subscribe to our monthly DEIB newsletter

Explore Resources

Share this post

Other Posts

Innovation thrives in environments where diverse perspectives are valued. Women in leadership bring unique experiences and insights that can challenge
, 4 mins read
Equality and equity are often used interchangeably. Yet, they are very different concepts.Equality means providing the same treatment, rights, and
, 4 mins read
While POSH focuses on preventing sexual harassment, true workplace safety is intertwined with fostering a culture where respect and safety
, 3 mins read

Intellectual property rights

You are not permitted to use this Website for any purpose other than knowledge and understanding of Breath Beings products and services.

All content in all forms on this Website, including (but not limited to) blogs, data, photographs,illustrations, logos and information belong exclusively to Breath Beings, unless explicitly stated. You shall not modify, distribute, perform, link, display, edit, or in any way exploit any of the content in part or in whole. Any modification or use shall be made only with the express written consent of the Creative Director at Breath Beings Pvt Ltd (write to aruna@breathbeings.in). Any extraction of the intellectual property of Breath Beings Pvt Ltd from this Website is prohibited.

By using this Website, you agree that all of Breath Being’s trademarks,signature programmes, copyrights, logos, product and brand features, service names are trademarks and property of Breath Beings Pvt Ltd.

All content, including but not limited to the format, script, dialogues, titles, and presentation of games, acts, and theatre plays created by Breath Beings Pvt Ltd are protected by the copyright laws of India. These intellectual property rights are owned by Breath Beings Pvt Ltd and are an integral part of our product offerings.

No part of our games, acts, and plays, including the format, script, dialogues, titles, and presentation, may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Breath Beings Pvt Ltd.

Breath Beings Pvt Ltd reserves the right to enforce its intellectual property rights to the fullest extent of the law. All rights not expressly granted in this disclaimer are reserved.

For inquiries regarding the use or licensing of our copyrighted materials, please contact us at begin@breathbeings.in

Thank you for respecting our intellectual property rights.

Breath Beings – REGD. OFFICE:
No. 198, CMH Road, 2nd Floor, Indiranagar, Bangalore North,
Bangalore – 560038, Karnataka (IN)