What If Your Story Isn’t Big Enough? (Why That Belief Is Keeping You Stuck)

Every memoir that never gets written starts with a quiet, convincing lie.

Who would care?

It’s rarely shouted. It usually arrives while you’re doing the dishes, walking the dog, scrolling past someone else’s book deal. You’re not famous. Nothing dramatic happened. You lived a good life. A normal one.

And somehow, that convinces you your story doesn’t matter.

But memoir has never belonged only to celebrities or survivors of extreme circumstances. Readers don’t connect to memoir because the author endured the most. They connect because they recognize themselves somewhere in the pages.

Memoir isn’t about what happened. It’s about what it meant.

I’ve been listening to Joyride by Susan Orlean, an acclaimed writer with a decades-long career. Even she admits she sometimes felt like she wasn’t a “real writer.” What makes her work compelling isn’t fame or spectacle. It’s her ability to find meaning in the everyday: a walk, an observation, a moment most people would pass by.

The ordinary is where the story lives.

A family adapting to modern housing realities. A daily walk that reveals patterns of connection. A quiet shift in how you see yourself, love someone, or let something go.

These are not small stories. They are human ones.

What keeps most people stuck isn’t a lack of talent or discipline. It’s the fear of claiming meaning in their own life. Many of us were taught to minimize, to move on quickly, to be grateful and quiet. That voice sounds reasonable, but it’s lying.

When stories go unwritten, they don’t disappear. They show up as restlessness and self-doubt. The feeling that something important remains unfinished.

You don’t need permission to write your memooir. You don’t need a dramatic hook. You don’t need to know how the book ends. You just need a way to begin.

If the belief that your story isn’t big enough has been holding you back, I’m inviting you to a free live masterclass on January 14 at noon (ET): 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Kickstart Your Memoir.

You’ll leave with clarity, direction, and tangible next steps—not inspiration that fades by morning.

👉 Register here: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Kickstart Your Memoir

Your story doesn’t need to be louder. It just needs to be told.

If you’re looking for a supportive community of writers, join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors. It's your place for support, community, tips, live trainings, and more! Click here to join! Would love to have you!