Happy Thursday! Today’s quote is:
“There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.” (Zora Neale Hurston)
To put this quote into context, Zora Neale Hurston was describing the experience of writing for her—how inspiration and creativity can feel so much bigger than oneself.
This quote opens up two interesting directions for our discussion: one exploring the space where inspiration and creativity come from, and the other examining how this quote might be interpreted without context, especially in relation to imposter syndrome.
Tapping into the Space of Inspiration and Creativity
Hurston’s quote hints at the overwhelming sensation of being consumed by a story or idea that feels bigger than oneself—those thoughts that keep tapping us on the shoulder, urging deeper exploration. As a coach, I often witness this phenomenon in clients on the brink of uncovering their deepest truths and passions. They sense there’s more on offer, but aren’t quite sure of the details yet.
This is often described as an inner knowing, akin to the soul communicating its desires. Ironically, despite being the source of so much creativity and wisdom, it’s challenging to find the words to describe this feeling.
The Ups and Downs of the Creative Journey
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the journey towards self-expression and creative fulfilment has its ups and downs. This brings us to the second direction: examining the impact of our thinking, such as imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
Without context, Hurston’s quote could be interpreted as a reflection of the internal struggles many face with imposter syndrome—the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite one’s accomplishments. In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform, measure up to unrealistic standards, and silence our voices out of fear of judgment or rejection.
These struggles often stem from our own thinking. While these thoughts may be stories we haven’t shared with others, they are narratives we have been telling ourselves, quite innocently. What if, like any book, we could put that story down for a bit, knowing there’s nothing stopping us from picking it up again in the future?
The Role of Thoughts in Shaping Our Reality
One of the underlying foundations of many coaching conversations is the idea that our thoughts create our reality. It’s not unusual for us to have a lot of thinking around negative emotions and what they mean. There can be a lot of judgment that accompanies these feelings, especially for those familiar with self-improvement or helping professions. Insecure thoughts like, “If I really understood this, I wouldn’t be feeling this,” or “If I were any good at this, I would never feel [insert negative emotion],” are common.
When we keep our stories hidden and suppress our truth, it’s often because of fearful, insecure thinking. We fear judgment and create elaborate narratives about what that judgment would mean and what could happen.
The Transformative Power of Storytelling
In coaching sessions, the transformative power of storytelling is evident. As clients share their experiences and insights, they begin to see themselves and their challenges in a new light. They gain perspective and clarity, recognizing the patterns and beliefs that have been holding them back.
Reflecting on the Quote
What did this quote prompt for you? Did it spark connections with your coaching practice and your clients? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach dedicated to empowering individuals to get out of their own way and make a meaningful impact in the world. With an impactful, nurturing coaching style, Jen supports clients in unlocking their potential and achieving their goals. As an experienced coach and trainer, she guides clients from self-doubt to success.
Discover how Jen can support you to get out of your own way here