Why Should I Tell My Story? 7 Reasons Your Story Matters
Why should you tell your story?
Not how do you write it. Not where do you begin. But why does your story need to be told in the first place?
After three different listeners asked me essentially that same question, I decided it was worth interrupting our current series on writing your story to answer it.
Because before you worry about the blank page, remembering every detail, or figuring out how to put your experiences into words, you need to understand why those words might matter.
And your story may matter in ways you haven't considered.
In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm sharing seven reasons telling your story can make a difference — for your family, your business, the people coming behind you, and sometimes for someone you'll never even know heard it.
In This Episode, You'll Hear:
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How your story can shorten the walk for someone facing something you've already experienced
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Why simply sharing "this happened to me, too" can help someone feel less alone
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How writing down ordinary memories can preserve pieces of your family's history that might otherwise disappear
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Why your personal story can build trust and connection in your business
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How mistakes and failures can become some of the most useful stories you tell
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Why your experience may inspire someone to do something they didn't believe they could do
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How writing our stories gives important moments somewhere to live long after the moment itself is gone
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Why sharing your story does not mean sharing everything
I also share a story from my own life about a high school English teacher who, without ever knowing it, helped influence my decision to become an English teacher myself.
Sometimes we don't realize the significance of a story while we're living it. We understand it only when we look back and see where it led us.
Something to Think About This Week
Instead of asking:
"Who would care about my story?"
Try asking:
"Who might this story help?"
Then think about this:
What have I lived, learned, survived, built, discovered, or experienced that might make someone else's walk a little shorter?
Start there.
Because that might just be the story you need to tell.
If this episode helped you, please take a minute to rate and review the podcast. Those ratings and reviews help The Edit continue to grow and reach more writers and storytellers.
Send any questions or comments to Holly at:
And remember:
Your story without your voice is only words.
— Holly
