“You are not a victim of the world, but rather a co-creator of your reality.” — Eckhart Tolle
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same situation over and over again, wondering why it keeps happening? You might change jobs, friends, or routines, yet somehow the same challenges, emotions, or conflicts seem to follow you. This was a realization I had when I started journaling regularly, that’s when I understood what co-creation is and its true power.
Let me share my personal story.
I would receive a call from colleagues over the weekends, and after a brief exchange of words, I would be angry, feel helpless, and filled with despair by the situation I was in, having to handle an escalation case because someone has decided to help a customer without any consideration for my day off. These emotions were all too familiar because the same scene had played out multiple times before. After every interaction, I would vent to another colleague going through the same ordeal, complain about the situation, and feel drained—only to see this entire cycle repeats itself in the following weeks, months and years.
Why was this happening?
It hit me: I was co-creating this situation, and that kept me stuck living a life that did not resonate with my core values. The emotions I chose to feel, the resistance I clung to, and the reactions I kept repeating were all contributing to keeping this pattern of behavior alive. By allowing myself to dwell into anger and helplessness, I was feeding into a story that never served me.
I decided to stop resisting and respond differently to this situation, releasing anger and despair in favor of acceptance and calm. This shift brought clarity: I could minimize weekend work escalations by proactively addressing issues during the week, convincing partners to schedule payments for Mondays instead of weekends. Taking control of my emotions allowed me to see a better way to handle these situations until I no longer needed to work for this company and anyone else for that matter.
I realized that co-creation isn’t just about the good things we bring into our lives; it’s also about the behavioral patterns we unknowingly perpetuate. The moment we become conscious of what we are creating, we gain the power to rewrite our story.
What Are You Co-Creating?
Think about your own life. Are there recurring patterns, conflicts, or emotions that you find yourself stuck in? Do you experience the same frustrations in your relationships, career, or even your inner dialogue? It’s easy to point fingers or feel like a victim of circumstance, but what if you looked deeper? What if you asked yourself how you might be contributing to these situations—even unintentionally?
Co-creation is a partnership between your inner world and your outer reality. When you consciously shift your thoughts, emotions, and reactions, you start to create a new reality for yourself.
Journaling Prompts to Break Free from Cycles
Here are some prompts to help you explore what you’re co-creating in your life and how you can start to shift:
- What recurring patterns or situations keep showing up in my life?
- What emotions do I typically feel in these situations?
- How might my reactions, beliefs, or habits be contributing to these patterns?
- If I could rewrite the story of this situation, what would it look like?
- What emotions and thoughts do I need to let go of to break free from this cycle?
- What small, intentional changes can I make to respond differently moving forward?
- Who do I want to become in this area of my life, and how would that version of me act, think, and feel?
The Beauty of Conscious Creation
Once I stepped back from resisting my situation, I found clarity. Instead of feeling powerless, I realized I could approach it with a sense of calm and control. By doing so, I freed up energy that I had been wasting on anger and despair, and I could redirect it toward creating the life I truly want.
You have the power to do the same. The next time you find yourself stuck in a frustrating situation, pause and ask yourself, “What am I co-creating here?” Use that awareness to take back your power and start showing up differently.
Your Turn
Take some time with the journaling prompts above and reflect on what you’ve been co-creating in your life. Whether it’s in relationships, work, or your personal growth, recognize where you’ve been repeating patterns and decide how you want to show up moving forward.
Remember, co-creation isn’t about blame; it’s about empowerment. When you take responsibility for your part in the story, you gain the ability to rewrite it—one conscious choice at a time.
What new story will you create today?
With all my heart,
Salima
