“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms. ”

- Muriel Rukeyser

For as long as I can remember, I have been enthralled by the art of storytelling. Throughout human history, stories have been one of the most prominent forms of cultural transmission, passed down from generation to generation.

Stories have evolved from cave paintings and verbal traditions to the written word, musical theater, and motion pictures. They have consistently united us across generations. Stories act as portals, offering insights into so many lives, be it women in the 1800s through Jane Austen's novels or the challenges faced by a young wizard in a magical school.

Stories hold a special place in my heart because, as a shy child growing up, they were my source of friendship. I would read books all day, watch movies and shows, and listen to people talking around me, all while absorbing stories as much as I could. I even remember writing a few when I was young. They were how I understood the world.

I've always loved the art of captivating someone with words. When watching a film, especially a good one, I become completely immersed in the story and how it unfolds. It's often the case that I can forgive bad acting, but not a poorly written story.

Throughout my life, I've yearned for the world to understand me. This unfulfilled need began in childhood, but as I've learned to articulate myself better, it's become easier to bear. To gain a better understanding of myself, I began writing stories. Putting my experiences into words and structuring them helped me make sense of my life. Over the years, I've aspired to be (and have been) an author, a content creator, a podcaster, a filmmaker, and more. But after much introspection, I realized that what my soul truly desires is to tell stories in any format I can.

The challenge every storyteller faces is dedicating the time to bring their stories into the world. It gnaws at us, knowing that we have these vivid tales in our heads that we yearn to share. I've envisioned entire films and novels in my head, only to be left with a twinge of sadness I couldn't bring them to life because I currently lacked the necessary skills or haven’t put in the effort required yet.

It wasn't until the age of 27 that I began telling myself I could be a writer, and it took until I was 30 for me to truly believe it. Writing is demanding and demands daily practice, like any skill. I admire storytellers of all generations for immortalizing their words.

❝Stories are just data with a soul.❞

- Brené Brown

I want to be in that circle of writers, to give hope to those who feel lonely and scared, to demonstrate the value of a healthy relationship with your own mind, to inspire the world.
Life is one large and intricately woven story. I'm living that story, and I can't wait to bring it to life.
This is my initial attempt at capturing these fleeting sparks of my intellectual musings, but my journey is far from its conclusion. I am determined to master this art form and practice it diligently every day.
I possess all the necessary elements to reshape the fabric of society. The words lie within me; they merely require placement in the correct sequence.
I will be …. a storyteller.

This is an excerpt from my book - Mindset & Me. If you enjoyed it, please consider purchasing it through Amazon or from my site .