Story Prompt Friday: Stop Reporting Just the Facts. Start Inquiring Into the Depth of Your Story

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga Pull up a chair and let’s talk about something I’ve been exploring lately. It’s the “depth of inquiry” that steers a nice essay into a memorable story. That sounds a bit academic, right? But here on Front Porch Friday© what it really means is the difference between just surviving your life, and actually understanding the truth of what you’ve lived through. Too often, as women, we get into the habit of just reporting the facts. We tell our stories like a laundry list of events. "I raised the kids, I worked the job, I did what was expected, and now I’m here." There’s no story magic because you are missing. We do the same thing when we speak out loud to the world—we say what’s polite, or what keeps the peace, instead of saying what we actually mean. Think about a moment where you had to say a hard "no" to someone, or maybe you finally picked up a hobby you abandoned years ago. The surface story is simple: "I was too busy for another commitment," or "I just wanted a new creative project." But looking deeper we feel the memorable story.  The truth is more than protecting your calendar or buying art supplies; you realized that your time and your passions don't belong to everyone else anymore. You decided that you are finally ready to be seen and heard exactly as you are, without adapting yourself so others feel comfortable. That shift right there? That is “depth of inquiry.” It’s stopping the report and starting the investigation, the exciting archeological dig on your life. Story Prompt: As you go about your day, take a deep look past the surface of your own daily routine as if gazing into a wishing well. Don't just report the facts of your life to yourself. Find the glimmering coins of a deeper truth under the surface; write that story and share it out loud! You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, please subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. AND!  Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, email me [[email protected]] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.  If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.