The 4 Lies Running Your Life (And How to Rewrite Them)
Break Free from the Stories Holding You Back and Start Living on Your Terms
From the moment we are born, we are immersed in stories. Stories about who we are, who we should be, and what life owes us. These aren’t just personal narratives; they are culture-level and base-level constructs. They are baked into the way we think, talk, and relate to the world.
These stories shape our actions, emotions, and choices—but not in ways that serve us. Instead, they create invisible barriers, holding us hostage to expectations we didn’t choose and outcomes we can’t control.
The key to freedom isn’t escaping these stories—it’s rewriting them. To do this, we need to understand their origins and how they operate. Then, we can see them for what they are: limiting myths masquerading as truth.
The Four Stories That Hold Us Back
1. The "I Am Special" Story
How It’s Built In:
We grow up being told we’re special. At first, it’s innocent—a way for parents to nurture our self-esteem. But over time, culture reinforces this with a transactional twist: you’re special if you look a certain way, achieve certain things, or have certain possessions.
On the flip side, some people believe they’re special because of their pain. “No one understands what I’ve been through,” becomes a badge of identity. This story isolates us, making our suffering feel unique and untouchable.
Why It Keeps Us Stuck:
When we think we’re inherently special, we close ourselves off from growth. Superiority breeds arrogance; victimhood breeds stagnation. Both prevent us from seeing the truth: we’re not special by default.
The Reframe:
You are not special. You are unique. There’s a crucial difference. Being unique means you have a combination of gifts, experiences, and perspectives that no one else does. But uniqueness doesn’t grant you inherent superiority or exemption from struggle. It simply means you have the potential to create something special.
The Next Level Human Perspective:
A Next Level Human doesn’t rest on the idea of specialness. They understand their uniqueness is a responsibility, not a privilege. They ask, What can I create that only I can create? This shifts the focus from entitlement to contribution.
2. The "I Deserve" Story
How It’s Built In:
Culturally, we’re taught that effort equals reward. Work hard, be good, and you’ll get what you want. This is a comforting story, but it’s also a lie.
Life doesn’t distribute rewards based on effort, kindness, or virtue. This can feel like a betrayal, especially when we’ve poured our hearts into something only to be met with failure or indifference.
Why It Keeps Us Stuck:
The “I Deserve” story makes us passive. When things don’t go our way, we feel cheated or bitter instead of looking inward and asking, What can I do now?
The Reframe:
No one deserves anything, but we can still appreciate ourselves. When we show up, do our work, and give our unique contributions, we don’t earn rewards—we earn pride in ourselves. This doesn’t mean we’re owed anything, but it does mean we can live with integrity and self-respect.
The Next Level Human Perspective:
A Next Level Human doesn’t wait for life to hand them fairness. They choose to give their best effort simply because it’s who they are. The reward isn’t external; it’s the internal satisfaction of knowing they’ve honored their potential.
3. The "Fairness" Story
How It’s Built In:
The fairness story is a natural extension of the deserve story. We expect life to follow a moral logic: good people win, bad people lose. But the world doesn’t work that way. Nature is indifferent, and chaos often reigns.
Why It Keeps Us Stuck:
When we cling to the idea of fairness, we waste energy railing against injustices we can’t control. This frustration keeps us from taking meaningful action.
The Reframe:
Fairness isn’t guaranteed, but we can create it. The only fairness that exists is the fairness we bring into the world through our own moral and ethical behavior. Chaos may surround us, but we can choose to act with honor, integrity, and kindness.
The Next Level Human Perspective:
A Next Level Human embraces ethical responsibility. They recognize that while the world is often unfair, they have the power to bring order through their actions. They ask, How can I create fairness for others, even in a world that feels chaotic?
4. The "Death Is Scary/Bad" Story
How It’s Built In:
Death is the ultimate unknown, and we’re wired to fear it. Culture compounds this by framing death as a failure or an enemy to be defeated.
Why It Keeps Us Stuck:
When we fear death, we procrastinate on living. We delay our dreams, avoid risks, and cling to comfort zones, hoping to outrun the inevitable.
The Reframe:
Death is the ultimate cure for procrastination. If you were a supreme being designing the human experience, what better motivators could you create than suffering and death? Pain teaches us, and death forces us to act.
Far from being our enemy, death is our greatest mentor. It reminds us that time is limited, urging us to create, love, and contribute while we can.
The Next Level Human Perspective:
A Next Level Human doesn’t fear death—they embrace it as a guide. They ask, If I knew I would die tomorrow, what would I do today? This perspective shifts life from a series of delays to a series of deliberate actions.
The Framework to Rewrite Your Stories
Rewriting your stories isn’t easy. They are deeply ingrained, reinforced by culture, and often tied to your identity. But with awareness and effort, you can break free. Here’s how:
Identify the Story: Ask yourself, What narrative am I living by? How does it shape my choices and emotions?
Challenge the Story: Is it true? Is it serving you? Or is it keeping you stuck?
Rewrite the Story: Replace it with a narrative that empowers you to grow, contribute, and act.
The Final Word
These stories—“I Am Special,” “I Deserve,” “Fairness,” and “Death Is Scary”—are the foundation of human struggle. But they don’t have to be your foundation.
When you rewrite these narratives, you unlock a new way of being. You move from base-level reactions to culture-level awareness to Next Level Human purpose.
Ask yourself: Which story am I ready to rewrite? Share this article with someone who needs it, and let’s start creating lives defined by depth, meaning, and freedom.