Story is Everywhere. Yes, Even There.
Photo of the author, Melanie Wilson, in her office. The message is about all the hidden stories in the photo.
“You should really start a blog to better connect with your clients.”
“Tell your clients stories about what’s going on in your life and the business will start to flow.”
“It’s all about connection. Be someone they know, like, and trust.”
Really? REALLY?
WTH does that even mean?
Let me break it down.
Here’s a photo my daughter took of me earlier today while I was writing this blog.
At first glance, it’s just a mom in a cluttered office typing away on her newsletter. But underneath that moment? A dozen stories waiting to be told—each one a potential blog post of its own.
Take this one:
Under the desk, my knee is propped up in a brace thanks to a mishap Thursday night that landed me in the ER. I’ve since been shuttled in and out of doctors’ offices and imaging centers all weekend. Don’t even get me started on automated phone systems—I’ve got a whole rant (and post idea) on that alone.
Just out of frame? A stash of bagged candy. I recently switched from M&Ms and Kit Kats to jelly beans and dark chocolate. Why? Oh, there’s a story there.
In the next room: a house full of family cooking up dinner for tonight and tomorrow. The smells are amazing, and my heart is full. (I’m off kitchen duty for now, thanks to the bum knee.)
I’m also mildly annoyed at myself for waiting until the last minute to write this blog. The story there? Time management, procrastination, and systems that work—when I actually use them.
Meanwhile, my husband is blasting some truly questionable music in the background. Who controls Spotify in your house? And what about on road trips—how do you decide?
Which brings me to the white-noise beach sounds I’ve got playing in my AirPods. That’s how I tune out chaos. What about you? Can you write with music on, or do you need the sounds of crashing waves too?
Each of these is a story idea. Whether I’m trying to make a point, offer some advice, or just vent about the ER, there’s content in all of it.
Story is everywhere.
Telling those stories isn’t just good for connection—it’s cathartic. It helps you get your point across. Writing makes you feel productive. It gets the noise out of your head and onto the page.
And no, your words don’t have to be the start of the next Great American Novel. (Thank goodness. That’s a lot of pressure.)
They don’t even have to be seen by anyone else.
Write in a journal. Share a moment on social media. Draft a blog post. Heck, even your to-do list counts.
All words count. All words matter.
Feeling stuck?
Inspiration is everywhere.
If you’re a business owner—and if you’re reading this, you probably are—tell stories about your business. Not sure what that looks like?
Try writing about:
What inspires you to create
What your typical day looks like
Something sweet a client said recently
A problem your product or service solves
Be specific. Stories don’t have to be grand epics. Sometimes, they’re just tiny little moments that make you stop and think.
And let’s face it: in a world of nonstop distractions, we’re lucky if someone even scans our words.
But while flashy ads might catch the eye, it’s the stories—the real, relatable ones—that people remember.
So use that. Write like you’re talking to someone who gets you. Be real. Be specific. Be you.
You’ve got this.