Life Quote by Margaret Atwood
““I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling. I need to believe it. I must believe it. Those who can believe that such stories are only stories have a better chance. If it's a story I'm telling, then I have control over the ending. Then there will be an ending, to the story, and real life will come after it. I can pick up where I left off. It isn't a story I'm telling. It's also a story I'm telling, in my head, as I go along. Tell, rather than write, because I have nothing to write with and writing is in any case forbidden. But if it's a story, even in my head, I must be telling it to someone. You don't tell a story only to yourself. There's always someone else. Even when there is no one.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
Stories shape reality; believing them gives agency over outcomes and helps navigate uncertainty.
In simple terms: Believing stories gives control over life.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of narrative in shaping choices.
Themes
identity
agency
storytelling
control
psychology
Mood
reflective
introspective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Coping with trauma
- creative writing
- personal growth
- mental health
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Narrative therapy
self‑determination
cognitive framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your personal narrative influence your decisions?
- Can you separate story from fact?
A Different Perspective
Stories may oversimplify complex realities, leading to false certainty.
