From Ordinary to Legendary: Designing Your Own Heroine/Hero's Journey

As a follow up to a recent blog post, I've written a personal mythology and a "how to guide." The idea is to spend some creative time reflecting on your own life to create a fictionally representation of your journey in an inspiring way! This story/mythology, will have a unique narrative that mirrors your values, dreams, and aspirations. For me, crafting a personal myth can be a profound way to explore your inner world and articulate your life's journey. Read mine here!

This guide walks you through a series of thought-provoking questions designed to help you build your own mythological story. (you could use this template and plug it into AI with your answers for a jump start too.) From defining key symbols and archetypes to exploring the heroes and adversaries of your tale, these questions will guide you in weaving a narrative that is as meaningful
and illuminating as the stories that have inspired your in your reading. I hope you'll dive in and start crafting a mythology that is uniquely yours.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin:

1. Define Your Core Elements

• Values: Identify the core values that drive you. What principles guide your decisions and actions?
• Aspirations: Consider your long-term goals and dreams. What do you aspire to achieve or become?
• Challenges: Reflect on the obstacles you’ve faced and how they’ve shaped you. What are the trials and triumphs in your story?

2. Create Your Central Characters

• Hero/Heroine: This represents you. What qualities and attributes does your hero or heroine embody? How do they reflect your personal strengths and challenges?
• Allies: Identify figures in your life who support and guide you. These can be real people, fictional characters, or symbolic entities.
• Adversaries: Include challenges or obstacles as characters in your mythology. These represent the struggles you face and overcome.

3. Craft Your Narrative

• Origin Story: Describe the beginnings of your hero or heroine. What led them to embark on their journey? What were the initial conditions or circumstances?
• Journey: Outline the key events and milestones in your journey. This includes significant achievements, turning points, and learning moments.
• Quest: Define the central quest or mission of your hero. What are they striving to achieve? How does this quest reflect your own aspirations?

4. Develop Symbols and Archetypes

• Symbols: Choose symbols that represent your values and goals. These can be animals, objects, or abstract concepts.
• Archetypes: Incorporate archetypes like the Wise Mentor, the Guardian, or the Shadow. These figures can help illustrate different aspects of your journey.

5. Visualize and Document

• Visual Representation: Create a visual map or artwork that depicts your mythology. This could be a drawing, collage, or digital graphic.
• Written Narrative: Write out your personal mythology as a story or series of vignettes. Use rich, descriptive language to bring your characters and events to life.

6. Integrate and Reflect

• Display: Place your mythology where you can see it regularly, such as in a journal, on your wall, or as a digital background.
• Reflect: Regularly revisit and revise your mythology as you grow and evolve. Consider how your experiences and aspirations change over time.

Example:

Hero/Heroine: “The Seeker”
Allies: Friends who offer support, mentors who provide wisdom
Adversaries: Challenges such as fear or self-doubt
Quest: To discover and live out their true purpose
Symbol: A compass representing guidance and direction
Archetypes: The Mentor (a guiding figure), The Shadow (internal conflicts)

By following these steps, you can create a compelling and inspiring personal mythology that resonates with your journey and helps you stay connected to your deepest aspirations.

Blue hues; woman with white curls, glowing eyes, surrounded by flowers & moonlight