The Stories You Were Given

Some of the hardest stories to let go of are the ones we never chose.

These stories were handed to us—by family, culture, school, community, or circumstance—long before we had words to question them. Over time, those stories can quietly harden into beliefs about who we are and what is possible for us.

This audio is an invitation to meet those inherited stories with curiosity rather than blame. It won’t ask you to dig for memories or force anything to happen. Instead, it offers a space where your body, breath and imagination can begin to say: “This was given to me, but it is not the whole of me.”

Before You Listen

This track goes deeper than a simple relaxation audio. It is designed to reach the parts of you that learned, very early on, how to brace, please, or disappear in order to stay safe. Because of that, you may notice more than just “calm” as you listen. You might feel emotion, body sensations, or a sense of “I didn’t realise how tightly I was holding on.”

If that happens, you are not doing it wrong. It usually means the process is touching layers that have been working quietly in the background for a long time. You are always free to pause, open your eyes, take a few slower breaths, or come back to it another day. Your pace is the right pace.

If you live with trauma, complex grief, or very dark thoughts, you may want to listen with extra care, or share this page with a therapist or trusted support person so they know what you’re exploring. This practice is not a replacement for therapy or crisis support; it is one small companion for the work your system is already trying to do.

When you feel ready, find a position that feels supported, press play, and let the words wash through. You are free to keep whatever feels true and set down whatever does not.