Your Thoughts Are Not the Truth: How the Nervous System Shapes the Story

Have you ever noticed how a single thought can unravel your peace?

Maybe it starts with a worry. A memory. A flash of something unresolved. Before you know it, your chest is tight, your stomach is in knots, and your brain is spinning with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. The problem is—we often believe that because we thought something, it must be true.

But here's the truth:
Your thoughts are not facts.
They are not prophecies.
They are not reality.
They are a reflection of the state your nervous system is in.

And the state of your nervous system will always shape the story.

A Personal Story: When Fear Took Over

About six months ago, I was invited to attend an event I hadn’t been to in years. The last time I went was during one of the most painful seasons of my life. My family and I were grieving a devastating loss—one so profound it shook us to the core. A loss many would name as their greatest fear.

As this year’s event approached, my anxiety started to spike. I felt dread in the pit of my stomach and fear gripping my chest. My thoughts swirled with worry and grief:
“What if it brings back all the pain?”
“What if I fall apart?”
“I can’t go through that again.”

I tried to manage my thoughts. I tried distraction, logic, prayer. But my body wouldn’t let me ignore it. I felt sick. Adrenaline surged. I was restless, on edge, exhausted from the effort of trying not to think about it—while simultaneously thinking about it nonstop.

That’s when I remembered something I teach my clients all the time (and yes, teaching it is not the same as doing it—I had to learn that the hard way):
Your body tells the story. And when your nervous system is dysregulated, the story will be one of fear, danger, and overwhelm.

Regulating the Nervous System = Rewriting the Story

So, I began using my tools—the very ones I give my clients. Breathwork. Movement. Grounding. Visualization. Nervous system regulation. Slowly, gently, I started to come down from the activation.

And something beautiful began to happen.

The memory that had been coated in nothing but pain started to shift.
I began to see strength.
I saw a family showing up for each other in the middle of heartbreak.
I saw togetherness.
I saw love.

Yes, the sadness was still there. It belonged there. But it wasn’t the only thing there anymore. What was once a story of unbearable pain became a sacred memory of resilience.

This Is the Power of Nervous System Healing

When we regulate our nervous system, we don’t erase the past—we reshape our relationship with it. We create enough safety to let the full story emerge. Not just the part our fear wanted us to see.

By the time the event came around, I felt peace. I knew hard emotions might still show up, but I wasn’t afraid of them anymore. I welcomed them if they needed to come. I had capacity to hold space for all of it. And that night? It was beautiful. Calm. Even joyful.

You Can Learn to Feel Without Being Overwhelmed

Your thoughts, your fears, and even your memories are shaped by the physiological state of your body. They are not fixed. They are not destiny. They are conditioning—and conditioning can be rewired.

When you learn to work with your nervous system instead of against it, you reclaim your power. You begin to live from truth instead of fear. From presence instead of panic. From strength instead of survival.

If this resonates with you, know this: healing is possible. Your thoughts can change. Your body can feel safe again. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Want to go deeper in your healing journey?
At The Orchid Women’s Wellness Center, I help high-achieving, faith-driven women move beyond just coping—and step into lasting transformation through EMDR, trauma therapy, and nervous system work. If you're ready to rewrite the story and reclaim your peace, let’s talk.