Lights, Camera, Action! Why Seeing Your Life as a Movie Can Help You Overcome Personal Challenges
Life is a struggle. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun at the same time.
Michael Corleone.
Truman Burbank.
Luke Skywalker.
Sarah Connor.
Spider-Man.
Ellen Ripley.
Maximus.
Barbie.
What do they all have in common?
(Aside from excellent fashion sense.)
They’re famous movie characters with strong stories and transformations.
Sure, their worlds are hidden behind the silver screen. But they each dealt with challenges that are nonetheless relatable to the human condition.
For us, we struggle with challenges in the real world.
Some days are easier to deal with. Other times it feels like we’re being crushed by the chaos. But the struggle doesn’t have to be so hard.
We just need a different way to understand it.
The framework: Life is a Movie.
Have you ever thought of your life as a movie?
It may sound like a strange concept, but viewing your life through a cinematic lens can give us valuable insights to overcome our personal challenges.
Just like a movie has a hero who goes through a series of trials and tribulations, our life can follow a similar narrative.
Let’s discuss what this concept looks like in practice, the benefits it can bring, and why it may be just the thing you need to change your life.
You’re the writer.
(What do you want your story to be?)
Any good movie starts with a story.
And the good news—you’re the writer of your own.
One of the most popular storytelling techniques used in movies is called “The Hero's Journey.”
The Hero's Journey is a transformational adventure filled with obstacles and triumphs.
Regardless of the genre of a story (romance, comedy, action, epic, horror), a story has a set structure to help guide the story along. It has ingredients that transport our hero from one place in their life to another.
This is the typical structure for our story’s hero:
A hero will start with a problem.
Then that hero will face a dilemma that puts them on a new path.
There will be a conflict that the hero needs to deal with.
Then the hero will be forever changed once the conflict resolves.
As the writer, you get to tell the story you want to. But there’s a catch.
A movie has a theme or a focus—a hook—that brings people to see it in the first place. You go to the theater to experience a movie because you’re interested in that hook.
An epic that will make you awe.
A drama that will make you cry.
A comedy that will make you laugh.
A horror that will make you scream.
A documentary that will make you think.
A story in a movie isn’t exciting or engaging when it goes nowhere.
You, like the characters you see on the screen, need a push. That push sends you to some kind of conflict. The resolution allows you to move forward with your life, forever changed by the experience.
The common thread is that the character has a problem, just like you might in your life right now.
So the answer we need next is, “What are you struggling with?”
You’re the hero.
(What do you want to fix in your life right now?)
Like in the movies, we’re often juggling one or two major conflicts in our lives at any given time.
As the hero, we need to figure out what that conflict is before we can face that particular challenge head-on.
Here are 10 common areas creatives struggle with most:
Relationships
Self-Worth
Loneliness
Creativity
Burnout
Balance
Money
Career
Health
Goals
I bet you’re dealing with one of them right now.
At any given moment of your life, you’re in a different kind of movie because of the conflict or challenge you’re dealing with.
If you’re in college, the focus of the movie is to learn and experience your first taste of adulthood.
If you’re an emerging professional, the focus of the movie is to find your way in the world for the first time.
If you’re looking for the love of your life, the focus of the movie is finding love and meeting people.
If you’re seeking meaningful creative work, the focus of the movie is learning your craft and putting it into practice.
If you’re looking for wellness, the focus of the movie is a fitness montage like in Rocky.
Once you’ve identified the most pressing challenge in front of you, it’s time to understand how that challenge fits into the overall vision of your life.
You’re the director.
(What do you want the vision of your life to be?)
Life is a series of events.
And just like in a movie, these events can be organized into a single, cohesive vision.
As the director, you tell the story holistically with the vision of how to execute the story.
In a movie, the director has the final say. They have the power to edit, revise, and create a masterpiece. Similarly, in your life movie, you are the director. You have the power to take control and rewrite the script.
While there are common story beats, there is no one way to visualize a story.
A Wes Anderson (The Life Aquatic, The Grand Budapest Hotel) film has a wildly different vibe and tone from a film by David Fincher (Fight Club, Gone Girl).
You get to execute your own life decisions in a way that vibes with who you are and who you want to be.
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Take a moment to reflect on your life movie.
Are there any scenes or plot points that you would like to change?
Are there any aspects of your life that no longer serve you?
Just like a director would revise a script, you can make intentional changes to align your life movie with your aspirations and values.
You get to turn the camera towards the thing that is top of mind.
You get to go all in on themes that shape who you’re becoming.
You get to focus on it.
Even when you think you have it all figured out, know that you can change in the middle of production. If a choice feels right to you that you never anticipated, it’s your story to sculpt as you choose.
—
I think of my story in chapters or as mini-movies stitched together.
There’s an overarching theme to my life, but then there are adventures that become my focus based on where I am in life, how old I am, and who I’m trying to become.
I have obstacles to overcome.
I have character flaws.
I have dreams.
Just like a director visualizes each scene before it is filmed, you can visualize the life you want to create. Close your eyes and imagine the opening scene of your movie.
Visualize yourself as the hero, confidently navigating through each challenge and emerging victorious.
What do you see?
Plot Twist!
(How the unexpected can help us grow)
In every movie, there are plot twists and turning points that keep the audience engaged and propel the story forward.
Expect the unexpected.
Similarly, in your life movie, challenges serve as the plot twists that keep you on your toes and push you to grow. Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles to be avoided, embrace them as opportunities for personal growth and transformation.
—
When faced with a challenge, take a moment to step back and assess the situation from a different perspective.
Just like a director would consider different camera angles, lighting, and music to create the desired effect, you can shift your perspective on challenges.
Ask yourself:
What can I learn from this?
How can I use this challenge to become a better version of myself?
By reframing challenges as opportunities, you can approach them with a sense of curiosity and openness, knowing that they are essential for character development and a satisfying resolution.
—
Remember, in your life movie, you have the power to choose your reactions.
Just like in a movie, you can respond to challenges with courage, resilience, and determination. By embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, you can rewrite the narrative and create a compelling story of personal triumph.
The Top 3 Benefits of Seeing Your Life as a Movie
We’ve discussed three ways to see your life as a movie of your own design—as a writer, a hero, and a director.
When you take on these roles and reframe the challenges in front of you as part of your life’s heroic journey, you gain three clear benefits:
Objectivity
When you view your life through the lens of a movie, it becomes easier to see the bigger picture and understand the significance of each challenge you encounter.
This perspective allows you to detach yourself from the immediate emotions and view your life as a story with a plot, characters, and a purpose.
By acknowledging that your life is like a movie, you can begin to appreciate the different chapters and see how they all contribute to the overarching narrative.
By seeing yourself as the hero of your own story, you can take more of what comes as a series of experiences and lessons rather than a constant bombardment of “life.”
Control
Seeing your life as a movie also helps you gain a sense of control. In a movie, the director has the power to shape the story, choose the actors, and determine the outcome.
Similarly, when you see your life as a movie, you become the director. You have the ability to make choices that will shape the direction of your life and ultimately lead to personal growth and success.
This shift in mindset empowers you to take ownership of your life and make intentional decisions that align with your goals and values.
Open-Mindedness
When you view your life as a movie, you also open yourself up to new possibilities. In a movie, anything can happen. There are plot twists, unexpected alliances, and surprising turns of events.
By adopting this perspective, you start to see challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. You can approach them with a sense of curiosity and excitement, knowing they are essential for your personal development. Just like in a movie, the most compelling stories often involve overcoming obstacles.
Final Thoughts
Our lives may not always feel as epic as the latest superhero movie.
We’re not traveling the galaxy, taking out a supernatural threat, or fighting evil. But we are shaping the path we take with every choice we make.
We’re writing the story as we go in real-time.
All the while, we play the hero.
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Embracing your life as a movie is a transformative and fun approach to overcoming personal challenges.
By seeing your life as a captivating story with you as the protagonist, you can navigate through challenges with resilience, optimism, and a sense of empowerment.
Just like in a movie, you have the power to shape the narrative, choose your reactions, and ultimately triumph over adversity.
So grab your popcorn, sit back, and let your life movie unfold.
TL; DR
Your Life is a Movie
You’re the Writer - What do you want your story to be?
You’re the Hero - What are you dealing with right now?
You’re the Director - What do you want the vision to be?
Plot Twist! - How the unexpected can help us grow
The Top 3 Benefits of Seeing Your Life as a Movie
Quote of the Week
Motivation for the days ahead of you.
“Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending.”
— Jim Henson
That's all for now.
Stay creative, my friends—and have a great week!
