Making Your Mess Your Message – The Transformative Power of Storytelling
- Sep 23, 2025
- 6 min read
Nadija is a multi-award-winning trauma and empowerment specialist with a double diploma in hypnotherapy, mind coaching, and online therapy. She is also a Reiki master and a grief educator, and she has been trained by an international grief specialist and best-selling author, David Kessler. Nadija is also an end-of-life doula.
We all carry within us a story, a tapestry woven with challenges, triumphs, pain, heartaches, and breakthroughs. For some, that story has been carefully hidden away, tucked into the shadows of silence, perhaps out of fear of judgment or the belief that it holds no value to anyone other than themselves. Yet the truth is this, our stories hold immense power, not only for our own healing but also as a guiding light for others walking similar paths.
There is extraordinary power and strength in transforming our mess into our message and our wounds into wisdom. The very experiences we once thought of as obstacles or setbacks can become the bridge that connects us to others, offering them hope, validation, and encouragement. When we courageously share our truth, we give permission for others to do the same, and that ripple of empowerment is nothing short of life-changing.
As Maya Angelou once said:
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Your story matters. And it is worth sharing.
The power of turning pain into purpose
Life often does not unfold in neat, linear paths. Instead, it takes us through winding roads filled with unexpected bumps, turns, losses, and challenges that can leave us feeling broken, confused, or defeated. Yet, hidden within those moments of chaos is the seed of transformation.
When we begin to reframe our pain, we recognize that the very “mess” we once tried to conceal can become the foundation of our most powerful message. By sharing how we faced adversity, how we stumbled and rose again, we demonstrate resilience, courage, and the truth that healing is possible.
This shift is not about denying or minimizing what we went through. Instead, it is about reclaiming our narrative. Instead of being defined by our wounds, we allow them to become the source of our wisdom and compassion.
Consider the stories that have moved you most in your own life. They were likely not tales of perfection or ease, but of struggle, perseverance, and eventual triumph. That is the universal language of humanity. We connect most deeply not through our accomplishments, but through our vulnerability, honesty, and willingness to be real.
Why your story matters
You may believe your experiences are too small, too insignificant, or too messy to make a difference. But let me tell you, there is always someone who needs to hear exactly what you have to say.
Your story may be the mirror someone else needs to see themselves more clearly. It may be the beacon of light guiding them out of the darkness. It may be the gentle reminder that healing is possible, that hope is still alive, and that they are not alone.
We live in a world where authenticity is often masked by perfectionism. People crave truth, and when you dare to share yours, you break down barriers and inspire others to open their hearts too.
As author Brené Brown reminds us, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.”
Your story has the power to liberate not just yourself but countless others.
Healing through storytelling
Sharing your story is not only an act of service to others, it is also an act of healing for yourself. When we give voice to our struggles, we stop carrying them in silence. Speaking our truth allows us to release the shame, guilt, heaviness, or any other negative emotions that may have kept us stuck for years.
Each time we tell our story, we reclaim a little more of our power. We move from being victims of circumstance to becoming narrators of our own lives, and, most of all, ingenious survivors. We no longer define ourselves by what happened to us, instead, we define ourselves by how we rose from it.
Storytelling is an alchemy of the soul. It turns pain into purpose, wounds into wisdom, and hardship into hope. It reminds us that nothing is wasted, every chapter, even the darkest, plays a role in shaping the person we are becoming.
And perhaps the most beautiful part? The more we share, the more we realize we are not alone. We begin to see the interconnectedness of human experiences and understand that healing is not a solitary journey, but a collective one.
Practical steps to turn your mess into your message
While sharing your story is powerful, it can also feel daunting. Here are some steps to help you begin this empowering process:
Acknowledge your story: Start by embracing your truth without judgment. Write down your experiences, the challenges, the lessons, and the breakthroughs. Allow yourself to be fully honest.
Find the meaning: Reflect on what your story has taught you. How have you grown? What wisdom have you gained? What message can others take from your journey?
Decide how to share: Your story can be shared in many ways, through writing, speaking, art, music, mentoring, or simply conversations with loved ones. Find the medium that feels authentic to you.
Honour your boundaries: Sharing your story does not mean exposing every detail. Share only what feels safe and empowering for you. Your story belongs to you, and you are in control of how much you reveal.
Remember the ripple effect: Even if you never know who you inspire, trust that your story will reach the people who need it most. Your vulnerability is never wasted.
You are not your wounds, you are the wisdom they created
At the heart of making your mess your message is this truth, you are not defined by what you went through, but by the strength you found in rising from it. Your scars are not signs of weakness but of survival. They are the proof of your resilience and the map of your transformation.
Your story is a gift to yourself, to those you love, and to the world. And every time you share it, you are helping to create a more compassionate, connected, and empowered humanity.
So, I ask you, what is the story within you that is longing to be told? And what message does your “mess” carry that could transform someone else’s life?
Because somewhere, someone is waiting for your story to remind them that they too can heal, grow, and rise again.
Final thoughts
Making your mess your message is one of the most powerful acts of empowerment you can embrace. It is the courageous choice to use your experiences not as chains that hold you back, but as wings that lift others forward.
Your voice is needed. Your story is valuable. Your journey is worth sharing. And as you continue to heal yourself, you become the lighthouse that guides others home.
Remember that, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” (Rumi)
Nadija Bajrami, Strategic Hypnotherapist, Mind Coach
French by birth, Nadija lived in Scotland for 7 years and travelled the world. After recovering from some serious health issues, Nadija had a wake-up call and came to Ireland to find her path. She has been living in Dublin since 2017. Nadija is working mostly online worldwide and shares her time between Ireland, France, and Switzerland.
Nadija is a multi-award-winning trauma and empowerment specialist with a double diploma in hypnotherapy, mind coaching, and online therapy. She is also a Reiki master and a grief educator, and she has been trained by an international grief specialist and best-selling author, David Kessler. Nadija is also an end-of-life doula.
She is dedicated to helping her clients get empowered, supercharge their confidence and self-esteem, overcome their limiting beliefs, as well as manage anxiety and trauma responses. She also helps people on their grief and healing journey through her therapy, coaching, grief education and support programmes and spiritual work.
