You've Uncovered Survival Scripts:

The story that once kept you safe, but now keeps you stuck.

The Protection & Survival Scripts Story Code™

This Story Code was born from experience.

From moments when you were too exposed, too vulnerable, or too overwhelmed to fully process what was happening.

So your nervous system got smart.

Your brain built a strategy.

Your body learned to protect you.

And it worked. Until it didn’t.

Sometimes protection looked like shrinking.

Sometimes survival looked like rebellion.

Numbing out, risky behavior, perfectionism, or trying to control all the outcomes.

Or maybe you became the one who didn’t need anyone, ever.

Whether you played it safe or played it loud, you were doing what you had to do to stay intact in a world that didn’t feel safe.

But now, the same walls that once protected you may be holding you back from the life you’re meant to live.

Protection often sounds like:

“Don’t get your hopes up, disappointment hurts too much.”

“If I don’t control everything, it’ll all fall apart.”

“You can’t trust anyone but yourself.”

“Play it safe. Big risks only lead to heartbreak.”

“Keep your guard up because people always leave.”

This Code often shows up as:

Needing to control the outcome because uncertainty feels more dangerous than staying stuck.

Not applying for the dream job because you assume "they would never pick someone like me."

Making excuses for bad behavior - yours or others' - so you can avoid making a change.

Pushing away love, support, or opportunity before it gets too close, just in case it doesn’t last.

Sabotaging something good (ghosting, quitting, picking a fight) because hope feels too risky.

Journal Prompt:

Where in your life have you been choosing “safe” over aligned?

What person, event, or memory first taught you that this was necessary for survival?

How has that old story been trying to protect you? Do you still need it today?