Early on, we learn a story of who we are supposed to be, how we are supposed to do life.  These stories become our reality. "I have to be strong."  "I have to put others needs before my own."  "I have to do what is right and responsible."  Understanding we are living a story is one thing, softening it's hold is quite another.

 

Resources

Ellen Langer on Mindfulness

Self Awareness is Hard

Timothy Wilson talking about the adaptive unconscious