The Stories We Tell Ourselves

This morning I found myself thinking a lot about assumptions—those quiet little stories we create about what other people might be thinking or feeling, without ever actually asking them.

I’ve had a couple of experiences where incorrect assumptions were made about me. Someone assumed a post I shared was about them, and someone else was assuming that I had taken an idea from them. Neither of those things was true. What became clear, though, is how easily assumptions can take root when communication isn’t direct, or when insecurity fills in the gaps where clarity should live.

And just to be clear—this part is about those two specific situations. No assumptions needed here. I believed these situations had been resolved, but when energy continued to be placed into them, it became clear that alignment was no longer present. As a business owner and space holder, it’s my responsibility to protect what I’ve built. From that place of clarity, I chose to set a firm boundary around my business and my energy. My reputation is important to me, and I will protect it with the same care and intention I would extend to something I deeply love.

What struck me most about these situations is how simple the outcome could have been if honesty and clear communication had been present from the start, instead of assuming. From my perspective, I believed things had been clearly communicated—but I can also acknowledge that I may have misunderstood that we had reached a mutually amicable understanding. And that’s the thing about assumptions: sometimes we assume we’re understood when we’re not.

I hold no resentment here—only clarity. I genuinely wish them well and hope they find success and happiness in their own way. Our paths are simply no longer meant to orbit one another, and that’s okay. I release the energy with love and light and choose peace moving forward. I am only sharing because these experiences helped me choose a different path today.

If I assume something incorrectly (and I sure have in the past!), I am always willing to admit fault. I believe in taking responsibility, apologizing when needed, and doing better next time. That kind of accountability matters to me, and it’s part of how I move through the world with integrity. Today. I found myself wondering how someone close to me might feel about something. Instead of assuming, overthinking, or filling in the blanks with worry, I chose a different approach.

I asked.

And it made a huge difference. There was relief, clarity, and an open line of communication. No guessing. No spiraling. No unnecessary stories. Just truth and understanding. And I think it may have deepened our relationship and brought us closer. (I hope!)

Imagine how many misunderstandings could be softened—or avoided entirely—if we chose curiosity over assumption.

Assumptions create stories. Questions create peace.

At the end of the day, choosing to ask or having open communication instead of assuming is an act of heart-centered living. It requires presence, courage, and a willingness to stay open—even when it feels uncomfortable. When we communicate from the heart, we create space for truth, understanding, and mutual respect. And when alignment isn’t there, honoring that with clear boundaries is also an act of love—both for ourselves, for others, and for what we’re here to build.

Leading with love doesn’t mean abandoning discernment. It means choosing clarity over chaos, honesty over stories, and peace over unnecessary emotional labor.

Journal Prompts -

• Where in my life am I holding a story that could be softened by a question or a conversation? (What am I assuming instead of clarifying?)

• What boundary am I being asked to honor right now in order to protect my peace, energy, or integrity? (How can I hold it with both love and clarity?)