Narrative Quote by Deborah Copaken Kogan
““Stories are how we make sense of our lives. To tell a story is to own it: to own the narrative thread to own a piece of our past. And when we own a story when we put it in a tidy box and store it on a high shelf it becomes manageable so that whatever negative effects it's been having on us are in theory lessened.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
Stories let us understand ourselves; owning them frames our past and can lessen their harmful impact.
In simple terms: Owning stories helps heal.
Key Takeaway
Reflect and share personal narratives.
Themes
identity
storytelling
healing
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy
- education
- community workshops
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
narrative ownership
psychological processing
Questions to Reflect On
- What story from your past needs reclaiming?
- How does sharing change its power?
A Different Perspective
Narratives can be oversimplified, losing nuance.
