Unlearning Bullshit Narratives

Picture This:

Your life is like an animated movie, each frame carefully crafted to tell a story. But what if the story playing out isn't even yours? What if it's filled with scenes of self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs that have been playing on a loop? As a former writer and animator in Hollywood, I know this script all too well. I learned that every scene, every frame, is a choice. And just like in the animation studio, you have the power to decide which scenes make the final cut and which end up on the cutting room floor.

Those Frames You’ve Been Replaying on a Loop? They Suck.

Let’s be real—what stories have you been animating in your life? Is it the “I’m not good enough” saga? Or maybe the classic “I was born to lose”? Or my personal favorite, “Let’s just play it safe.” These are the same crappy stories that we unconsciously choose to animate over and over again. And you know what? They’re bullshit. Worse, they’re keeping you stuck in a never-ending reel of self-doubt and hesitation. Newsflash: You’re not just the star of this show, you’re the freakin’ animator. You hold the pencil. So why are you drawing yourself as the eternal underdog?

Breaking Down the Scene: Where Do These Stories Come From? (Spoiler: They’re Not Even Yours)

Let’s break it down. In Hollywood, the best writers and animators understand their characters from the inside out. They dive deep into the character’s motivations, fears, and dreams. The same goes for your personal narrative. These limiting beliefs? They’re not just random—they’re born from past experiences, societal expectations, and even the well-meaning advice of others.

Maybe someone told you, "You’re not creative enough," and that story stuck. Or perhaps you tried something new, failed, and decided that you’d never try again. These are just poorly animated scenes that can be redrawn with a different perspective. The question is, are you willing to go back to the storyboard and challenge those old frames?

Time to Redraw: Reanimating Your Life Story

Here’s where it gets real. If you want to kick those limiting beliefs to the curb, you have to step up as the director of your own story. Take a hard look at the scenes you’ve been replaying and decide which ones serve you and which are just dragging the plot down. Remember, just like an animator in the studio, you have the power to pause, rewind, and redraw.

Start by asking yourself: What are the core beliefs that have been driving my story? Are they even mine, or did I inherit them from someone else? Have I  been drawing myself as the “always struggling, never winning” character? If so, it’s time for a rewrite. 

Flipping the Script: From Limitation to Liberation

Animation isn’t just about creating images; it’s about creating movement—about bringing something to life. And that’s exactly what you need to do with your story. It’s not enough to erase the negative frames; you have to actively create new ones that reflect your true potential.

Think of a moment when you felt unstoppable, when you nailed it, when you tapped into your inner badass. How did it feel? What were you doing? Who were you with? That’s the scene you need to focus on. Draw it, frame by frame, with every detail. Own your power in that moment, and then make it the basis for the new story you’re creating.

The Power of Reframing (AKA Stop Looking at Your Life Like a Sadsack)

Reframing isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a literal practice. When I worked as an animator, we would often sketch out scenes from different angles until we found the one that conveyed the emotion we wanted. It’s the same with your life. Maybe you’ve been looking at a situation from a single, disempowering perspective. Try a different angle. What if that “failure” wasn’t a failure at all but a necessary plot twist that sets you up for your next big win?

Reframing isn’t about pretending everything’s sunshine and rainbows—it’s about seeing your setbacks as just one part of the bigger picture. It’s about choosing how to animate the story moving forward. It’s about recognizing that you have the power to shift from a static, stuck narrative to one that’s dynamic and full of potential.

Rewriting Your Ending: The Director’s Cut

Remember, you’re not just the main character in this story; you’re the director, the animator, the editor, the whole damn production crew. If you’ve been waiting for permission to rewrite your story, consider this it. Go back to the drawing board and start cutting the frames that don’t work and don’t serve you. Rewrite the ending. Hell, rewrite the whole damn thing if you have to.

Life, like animation, is an iterative process. It’s not about getting it perfect; it’s about getting it true. Every frame you draw has the potential to either reinforce an old, limiting belief or create a new, empowering one. Choose wisely.

Final Frames: Animate Boldly

So, what’s it going to be? Will you keep animating the same tired scenes, or will you take control of your story and start drawing something new? Remember, every frame matters. Every scene contributes to the final cut. Make sure yours is one worth watching.

It’s time to unlearn the BS, stop replaying those negative narratives, and start living like the badass animator of your own life. Grab that pencil, get to work, and make it a story you’re proud to tell.

And here's the truth: you have 100% creative license to write your own story of being a badass. But it starts with one critical move—eliminating those negative narratives that have been holding you back. Own your power, own your shit, and start animating the life you actually want and dream of. Now go create your masterpiece.