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Laura Parrott Perry

We've all got a story to tell.

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BIG NEWS!

November 28, 2017 By Laura Parrott Perry 11 Comments

“The stories we create to make sense of things become real for us. We live inside them. Your house is not your home – your story is. We think we build walls to protect ourselves, but eventually they imprison us. When our stories are secrets we stack them high until we’re trapped behind them. You know what the difference between a home and a prison is? It’s just your ability to step outside it to freedom.”

Laura Parrott Perry

A little over three years ago, I launched this blog. I had less than no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about or whether anyone would care about what I might have to say. I wrote a few posts and I lived and died by whether people read and responded to them. By people, I mean the 43 people who followed my blog in those early days, most of whom were friends and family, who were basically required to do so.

Then a little essay I wrote went viral and our cozy community got a bit bigger. This blog became a place where I started really telling the truth – and here is the thing about truth-telling: it gains momentum. It’s very hard to be rigorously honest in one corner of your life and still keep secrets in another. At least for me. And the more stories I told, the more shame drenched secrets I dragged out of the shadows, the more of you there were stepping forward and saying those words that have become a call to arms of late – ME TOO.

With every single me too I felt a little less alone, a little braver, a little bolder. Every time I survived the telling it reinforced what I have come to believe- the work is never worse than the wound. Every story shared with me in the comments, by email, Facebook message, or in workshops, helped me to understand the profound impact secret-keeping has in our lives.

I’ve said it before and I’ll just keep saying it, forever and ever, amen: If you have a story you’re not telling anyone, anywhere, in any way, that is not privacy, it’s secrecy. Privacy and secrecy are not the same thing. Not even close. The difference between privacy and secrecy is shame. Our shame stories wield enormous power in our lives. If you have a story you’ve deemed unspeakable, I guarantee it’s running the board.  It’s in charge of your whole life.

When we tell our stories we connect with each other.  When our stories are reflected back to us with empathy, we come to understand them differently. You can survive the telling, but sometimes your story cannot. A story told is a story reclaimed, and sometimes, re-written.

This blog and you readers have helped me transform from a secret-keeper to a storyteller.  That change, that shift?  Well, it didn’t just change my life, it saved it.

This January, I hope you will all help me welcome our book into the world.  It’s OUR book.  Yours and mine.


Isn’t she gorgeous?

Soon there will be some changes here on the blog- it’ll look different and have a new name, but please know that what truly matters will remain exactly the same. You’ll meet me here and we’ll tell our stories. We’ll shine a light in dark corners. We’ll widen the circle.  And when someone lays down something dark and heavy?  We’ll bear witness.  We’ll take a corner.  We’ll lift.  We’ll say, We’ll carry this with you.

We’ll drag our own secrets out into the sunlight.

We will write them down.

She Wrote It Down: How a Secret-keeper Became a Storyteller will be available on Amazon on January 23rd.  Thank you again for making this possible and for coming along on this ride with me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this space and this community – for you.

Love you so,

Laura

********************************************************

Hey beloveds!

We’re launching a book here!

If you want to stay connected and hear about news, upcoming events, and giveaways:

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If you’re following me on Pinterest… don’t.   And I’m sorry.  I don’t even know how I ended up there…

Laura Parrott Perry

Hi, I’m Laura. I'm an author and blogger who believes we all have a story to tell.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelley Stoehr says

    November 28, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Yay! Congrats! Can’t wait to read!

    Reply
  2. Finding a Sober Miracle says

    November 28, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    This is an amazing post. Thank you. I started a “secret” online blog about my attempts to stop drinking. I covered my tracks in every way possible so that no one could identify me. Little by little, I felt less shame as I found a world of people who were right there with me. I started posting photos. I used my real name. I started putting the blame where it belonged — with the addictive substance. And you’re right — It has been so freeing.

    I look forward to reading your book. ❤️

    Reply
  3. Patricia Walker says

    November 28, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    I am so happy for you! I can’t wait to read your book!!!

    Blessings, Tricia ?

    >

    Reply
  4. Jaye says

    November 28, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    so happy for you Laura…. you have a wonderful gift and it is wonderful for you to share it with the WORLD!! Blessings!!! Love, Jaye

    Reply
  5. Maureen says

    November 28, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    “The work is never worse than the wound.” I love that! I can’t wait to read your book.

    Reply
  6. Joanie says

    November 29, 2017 at 5:02 am

    Way to go, Laura! You are a warrior women and I know that I’ll be nodding my head as I read your book saying, “Me too.” I’m so immensely happy and proud of you as this book is written for each of us through you. In gratitude for your being the conduit of grit and grace.

    Reply
  7. awendover says

    November 29, 2017 at 5:59 am

    Congrats!! I remember you starting this blog. Your first ever post before you published it. The tips shared for publishing posts twice. And, then your forever changing post. Hats off to you; so so so proud of you.

    Reply
  8. Lona Sepessy says

    November 29, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Laura – this is simply awesome!! I can’t wait to read this – but what I really treasure is you – your pathway to uncovering truths, leading to more and your bravery and courage in taking the tentative steps that became such giant leaps. And now you’re shining the light so that so many others feel brave enough to share! What a wonderful New Year’s gift.

    Reply
  9. Caroline McGraw (@AWishComeClear) says

    November 30, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    Congratulations Laura!! This is wonderful news! I can’t wait to read your book. You go, girl. Proud of you for writing it down. 🙂

    Reply
  10. maryswanbell says

    December 2, 2017 at 8:30 pm

    That is so incredible!! Excited for you!! Congratulations!!

    Reply

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