What Are Tiny Stories? A Practice of Story Work, Not Storytelling
In a world obsessed with storytelling, what if the real magic lies not in the story you tell—but in the work you do with it? Your tiny life stories are at the heart of story work—a practice focused on self-awareness, aliveness, healing, and connection, rather than entertainment or performance.
You don’t have just one grand life story—you have countless tiny stories. Each one matters. These everyday moments offer insights into who you are, how you experience life, and what truly matters. Working intentionally with these stories sparks personal growth, guides emotional healing, and helps you reconnect with meaning in the middle of life’s noise.
“What if the magic isn’t in the stories you tell, but in the work you do with them?”
Defining Story Work vs. Storytelling
What is Storytelling?
Storytelling is an external process—taking experiences and sharing them with others to communicate meaning. Across cultures and generations, storytelling has been a way to connect communities and deliver wisdom at just the right time: the right message, through the right messenger, at the right time. Storytelling follows a familiar arc: beginning, middle, and end, with a message for the listener to walk away with.
What is Story Work?
Story work is an inward process. It’s about gathering the tiny stories of your life, looking at them from new perspectives, and asking, “How did this change me?” There’s no need for a structured narrative—just opportunities to explore your stories, piece by piece, and invite self-discovery every time you engage with them.
With story work, even the smallest, overlooked moments become personal artifacts—worthy of being examined, honored, and used for clarity, joy, or healing. Some stories will spark joy and aliveness, while others will help you release old wounds. Together, they offer new ways to connect with your life and live with purpose.
So, what exactly are tiny stories?
Tiny stories are the small, seemingly ordinary moments and details that shape your life in big ways.
A conversation that made you feel seen.
The way your mom always shows up in her denim jacket with a bottle of Mountain Dew in hand.
The memory of collecting turkey feathers in a field as a kid.
A friend’s laugh that feels like home.
The worn-out ball cap you still keep because it reminds you of who you were when you wore it.
Tiny stories are the bits of life you’ve already lived—your experiences, memories, and lessons. But they’re also the moments yet to come—your dreams, ideas, and even fleeting thoughts. These stories become guides, reconnecting you with what matters most, helping you savor the good stuff, and gently releasing what no longer serves you.
“Tiny stories are the small, seemingly ordinary moments that shape your life in big ways.”
How to Begin Your Own Story Work Practice
From the 120 Stories You've Already Lived PDF, here are a few prompts to get you started:
A caregiving experience that changed me.
A disagreement with a friend.
A moment when my routine was interrupted.
These prompts aren’t meant to inspire grand narratives—they’re starting points for exploration. Story work is about picking up these personal artifacts, turning them over in your hands, and seeing what they have to offer from every angle.
If you’re wondering how to dive deeper, I developed the DGS 5-Part Practice—a rhythm for engaging with your stories. It offers gentle guidance through five steps: Observe, Document, Express, Connect, and Cultivate. This framework helps you notice, explore, and use your stories meaningfully—whether they spark joy, invite healing, or guide your next bold move.
The Role of Tiny Stories in Personal Growth
I started Dangerously Good Stories (DGS) because I believe: One tiny story can change everything. These stories act as signposts, guiding you toward self-discovery and helping you reconnect with what truly matters.
Doing Your Story Work Helps You:
Get to know yourself more deeply by processing your stories and rediscovering your gifts—allowing self-love to naturally grow.
Build emotional reservoirs of joy by preserving meaningful moments and revisiting them when life feels heavy or overwhelming.
Transform difficult stories into tools for self-compassion, clarity, healing, and navigating grief.
Create deep, authentic connections with the people who matter most—without the pressure of constant socializing.
Take ownership of your narrative by using your stories as evidence of your values, crafting a life that aligns with what matters most.
Tiny Stories in Practice: Where to Begin
There are many ways to engage with your tiny life stories and make them tools for meaningful change, aligned growth and personal development.
Journaling for Self-Discovery: Write down the tiny stories that catch your attention. These moments—big or small—reveal hidden patterns and spark insights over time. Journaling helps develop a rhythm for personal growth.
Sharing Stories for Connection: Share tiny stories with the people who matter most. These exchanges invite deeper connection and open the door for others to share their stories in return.
For Mental Health Providers: Story work is a valuable tool for mental health professionals. It helps clients uncover patterns, process emotions, and cultivate inner peace through personal reflection.
For Creative Solopreneurs: Weaving tiny stories into your brand creates authentic connections with your audience. Sharing personal moments builds trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
“Every story—whether light or heavy—holds meaning. Story work helps you honor what’s meaningful and release what no longer serves you.”
Why Your Tiny Stories Matter in Today’s World
In today’s fast-paced, noisy world—where distractions are endless and connection can feel hard to find—your tiny stories offer a way to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
They cut through overwhelm. In a culture driven by productivity and “more,” noticing and reflecting on your tiny stories brings clarity and focus on your true core values.
They offer resourceful self-care. With mental health services becoming less accessible (with inflation), story work provides a sustainable way to foster self-acceptance, healing, and emotional well-being.
They offer sustainable, affordable emotional processing. Revisiting your tiny stories—both joyful and difficult—creates space to acknowledge and process emotions at your own pace.
They nurture connection. Sharing small, meaningful moments with others fosters intimacy and reminds people they matter.
They build emotional resilience. Collecting and celebrating joyful moments creates reservoirs of joy you can draw from in challenging times.
They align your life with your values. In a world full of outside advice, social conditioning, and external pressures, your tiny stories become a road map for building a life that supports the way you think, feel, and live.
They replace performance with authenticity. As social media amplifies performative storytelling, your tiny stories shift the focus back to meaningful reflection and real connection.
Your Stories Are Waiting—Will You Notice Them?
If you’re still with me, know this: Your tiny stories matter. They are invitations to engage with your life in meaningful ways—without the need for structure, perfection, or performance.
→ Quick prompt: What were you doing a year ago today?
→ Download the 120 Stories You've Already Lived PDF of tiny story prompts to begin your own story work practice today.
