What Outdated Story Code Is Secretly Running Your Life?

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Quiz Questions

1.
What did 'rules' feel like when you were growing up?
- A.
  I was called a rule breaker and troublemaker, and it stuck.
- B.
  I just wanted to follow the rules - and I wanted everyone else to follow the rules, too.
- C.
  I took cues from my parents and did what they asked.
- D.
  We had unspoken rules that were deep in family tradition. We all knew the rules.
- E.
  I grew up with very strict rules and the punishment for not following them was severe.
- F.
  We followed the social rules of going to the right school, driving the right car, hanging out with the right group, and acted accordingly.
2.
When making big decisions:
- A.
  I have a hard time deciding, and struggle with self -confidence because, "I've always made bad decisions".
- B.
  I was raised to, and will always, put my family’s expectations above my own wants and needs.
- C.
  I always ask my friends what I should do because I trust their options more than my own.
- D.
  I tend to go with what's familiar and usually go with what feels safe, pratical, and predictible.
- E.
  I don't worry too much about big decisions, because who really cares anyway?
- F.
  I get overwhelmed and feel it in my body. I start feeling overwhelm and physically unwell.
3.
The negative story you secretly tell yourself is...
- A.
  I need to protect myself to stay safe.
- B.
  I’m so stupid, I'll never figure it out.
- C.
  I think something is really physically wrong with me.
- D.
  I just want to fit in and have people like me.
- E.
  I should know better by now.
- F.
  I have to work harder if I expect to earn anything good.
4.
How do you react when your truth doesn't match what others expect from you?
- A.
  My heart races, I feel my teeth clench, or I feel very anxious.
- B.
  I make an awkward joke, blow it off, and move on.
- C.
  I make a quick calculation of what I’ll lose if I go against what’s expected.
- D.
  Early labels resurface - Why doesn't anyone understand me?
- E.
  I question myself and chose to be agreeable.
- F.
  I am rock solid in the values my family instilled in me.
5.
In your relationships, you often feel...
- A.
  I'm responsible for holding everything together.
- B.
  I feel pressure to go along with what everyone else is doing.
- C.
  I often lose my sense of self and mirror the other person’s personality.
- D.
  I'm socially awkward and want to leave intimate settings.
- E.
  I question if I'm even likeable.
- F.
  I'm afraid that at any second, something is going to go wrong.
6.
How did watching the adults around you shape your beliefs about love?
- A.
  I learned that love is conditional and depends on someone’s mood in the moment.
- B.
  I saw that love was a performance - how it looked to others mattered more than how it felt.
- C.
  I learned that love means loyalty, even when it’s hard.
- D.
  I learned dreaming of love only leads to heartbreak.
- E.
  Love is for the 'beautiful and lucky' ones, not for someone like me.
- F.
  Love feels like a physical burden to carry.
7.
How do you navigate conflicts and emotionally charged situations?
- A.
  I don't. I completely freeze up and shut down.
- B.
  I default to fixing, apologizing, or avoiding - even when I'm not wrong.
- C.
  I blow things up - anything to win an argument.
- D.
  I lean towards the more popular opinion to prevent additional conflict.
- E.
  I notice my coping skills are just like my parents.
- F.
  I worry that someone will think I'm being stupid, a bitch, or too emotional.
8.
When you imagine taking a big leap toward your dreams, what happens?
- A.
  I think of all the things that will go wrong if I go for it.
- B.
  I can feel my body reacting and I'm not sure if it's anxiety or excitement.
- C.
  I'm perfectly happy staying on the comfortable, safe, and practical path.
- D.
  I choose to shape my dreams around what is appropriate and acceptable for a woman my age.
- E.
  Family loyalty and guilt still whispers, 'Don't stray too far away'.
- F.
  I was told my dreams were way too big and impossible to achieve.
9.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, your default response is..
- A.
  Remembering that your ancestors had it much worse.
- B.
  Medicate and/or isolate to take the edge off.
- C.
  Worry that others will think you're a failure.
- D.
  Smile and pretend you're fine, even when you're falling apart.
- E.
  Fall back into blame and deflection - an old pattern.
- F.
  I start emotionally spinning and feel out of control.
10.
When things start to go sideways, you tend to...
- A.
  Normalize it to avoid rocking the boat.
- B.
  I wait for someone else to take the lead — just tell me what to do.
- C.
  I assume I did something wrong and blame myself.
- D.
  I ignore the signal that my body needs to take a pause.
- E.
  Remember who I am, suck it up, get my shit together and push through!
- F.
  Emotionally disconnect, I'm done.
11.
How did being 'right' or 'wrong' shape your identity growing up?
- A.
  I grew up in a world where “right” behavior was socially rewarded—so I learned to perform the right role, even if it wasn’t true to me.
- B.
  I felt wrong often. I was always in trouble and it made me angry and rebellious.
- C.
  Even today, doing something that could be viewed as 'wrong', triggers my anxiety.
- D.
  I never really knew what was right or wrong. I grew up with unpredictable consequences, so I just learned to adapt.
- E.
  Right and wrong were passed down like family heirlooms and were never questioned. We all knew the rules.
- F.
  I was the “good girl,” so doing everything right wasn’t a choice—it was expected.
12.
If someone surprises you with a gift, you most likely...
- A.
  Write a thank you note, or give them a gift back, because that's 'what we do in this family'.
- B.
  Feel suspicious and wonder if they expect something in return.
- C.
  Feel awkward, embarrassed, and undeserving.
- D.
  Wonder if your friends will like it.
- E.
  Have a strong physical response from the surprise.
- F.
  Have an unexpected reaction that reminds you of your mother.
13.
What’s something you're secretly worried about?
- A.
  That I’m repeating the very behavior I couldn’t stand growing up.
- B.
  Being canceled or rejected by my friend group—for saying or doing something more aligned with who I am becoming.
- C.
  That my addictions have become a crutch, and I’m not sure I can let them go.
- D.
  That I won’t live up to the unrealistic image everyone seems to have of me.
- E.
  That somehow I’ll ruin the family name or fail to live up to the legacy I was born into.
- F.
  That all my past trauma will eventually catch up with me.
14.
Which quote feels the most like something you’d say?
- A.
  "If I don’t do it myself, no one else will."
- B.
  "I just want to be liked and fit in, is that so bad?"
- C.
  “I don’t know why I act like that, I guess it’s just who I am.”
- D.
  “Sometimes my body feels everything before I do.”
- E.
  “I come from a long line of strong women. We don’t fall apart.
- F.
  "I've never been good at things like that, I'm such an idiot."
15.
How do you feel after a social event, presentation, or emotional conversation?
- A.
  I continue playing it over and over in my head and can't sleep for a week.
- B.
  I worry if I offended anyone or made someone uncomfortable.
- C.
  My only hope is to make my family proud.
- D.
  I can't stop beating myself up and calling myself names.
- E.
  I have way too many glasses of wine.
- F.
  I call a friend and gossip so I can turn the focus away from myself.
16.
What do you believe is preventing you from achieving what you really want, right now?
- A.
  Guilt
- B.
  Money
- C.
  Health
- D.
  Experience
- E.
  Age
- F.
  Reputation
17.
What truth are you ready to own so you can finally have what you really want?
- A.
  My ancestors have made many sacrifices for me - and I'm super grateful - but now it's my time to SHINE!
- B.
  My parents weren't always the best role models but I'm tired of blaming them. I am fully capable of creating a life I love!
- C.
  I've been stuck in outdated labels that others gave me. I am so ready to write a new story that feels like me!
- D.
  I’ve spent enough energy resisting, rebelling, and surviving. I’m ready to take my power back—and finally own it!
- E.
  My life might look perfect from the outside but I’m done performing. I’m ready to live my truth!
- F.
  My body has never been the problem - it's actually my compass. I am ready to listen!
18.
Which Story do you believe has been secretly running the show?
- A.
  Generational Story You were raised to follow the rules, carry the legacy, and not disappoint the people who came before you.
- B.
  Protection & Survival Scripts You learned to stay safe, in control, and avoid anything that might cause emotional fallout.
- C.
  Adopted Truths You trusted other people’s opinions/labels about who you were—and adopted them as truth.
- D.
  Cultural & Social Conditioning You shaped yourself to be likable, socially successful, and avoid judgment—even if it meant hiding parts of who you are.
- E.
  Behavioral Imprints You’ve unconsciously picked up habits, behaviors, and even fears—repeating patterns you learned by watching others.
- F.
  Somatic Stories Your body is telling the story—through physical pain, nervous system dysregulation, and emotional responses you can’t always explain.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
You’ve Uncovered the Generational Story: The one written before you even had a choice.
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The Generational Stories Story Code™This Story Code runs deep—through generations, across lifetimes.It’s made of ancestral beliefs, sacred traditions, cultural norms, and quiet rules that were never questioned—just followed.Religion, money, gender, marriage, parenting, who we trust, who we don’t.These aren’t just opinions. They’re stories passed down like ceremony.There’s comfort here. Pride. Safety.There’s also obligation and expectation.And beneath it all, a deep, often unspoken understanding of what it means to belong—and what it costs.This is a code rooted in collectivism over individualism.It can feel like a blessing and a burden. A comfort or a cage.It’s complicated.This Code sounds like:“That’s just how we do things in this family.”“Money doesn’t grow on trees—work twice as hard just to get by.”“Be a good girl. Don’t make a scene. Do what’s expected.”“People like us don’t mix with people like that.”“We keep family matters in the family.”It may show up as:Feeling torn between loyalty and growth—grateful for your roots, but craving your own directionSabotaging opportunities because success feels disloyal or “too different”Quiet guilt when you make choices your family wouldn’t understandShame or embarrassment about where—or who—you come fromHolding stories in silence—because naming them would feel like betrayalJournal Prompt:What belief, expectation, or unspoken rule from your upbringing still shows up in your life today? Whose story is it, really—and are you ready to rewrite it?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved
2.
You’ve Uncovered the Adopted Truth: The story someone else told about you—and you believed it.
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The Adopted Truths Story Code™This Story Code is all about the narratives and labels that were given to you—and the ones you internalized, even if they weren’t true.They didn’t come from your own voice.They came from parents, teachers, siblings, early relationships—anyone whose opinion felt louder than your own while your identity was still forming.These messages weren’t always cruel.Sometimes they were subtle. Sometimes they sounded like guidance or praise.But over time, they shaped how you saw yourself.They didn’t come from your voice—but they’ve become it.This Code sounds like: "You’re too sensitive." "You always mess things up." "You’re the smart one—not the athletic one.""You can't sing.""The middle child is always the wild one"Maybe you didn’t fully agree... but you've carried it anywayIt can show up as:Overcompensating by people-pleasing because you were once called a "mean girl"Staying quiet in conversations because you were labeled "bossy" or "a know-it-all"Trying to prove you're "good enough" — even when you already areOverexplaining, unworthiness, or paralyzed from perfectionismCarrying shame for not being able to live up to the labelJournal Prompt:Think back: Was there something you were called, teased about, or labeled when you were younger that still echoes in how you see yourself today?You know it’s not true, but where do you still feel its grip—in your thoughts, your voice, or your decisions?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved
3.
You’ve Uncovered the Conditioning Code: The story that taught you to blend in—even when your soul was born to stand out.
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The Cultural & Social Conditioning Story Code™This Story Code isn’t always loud.It shows up in subtle ways—woven into both your past and your present.It’s the clothes you wore to fit in.The dreams you toned down to feel accepted.The questions you didn’t ask because you didn’t want to make things uncomfortable.Sometimes, it’s even the risky choices you made—not because you wanted to, but because you didn’t want to be the only one who said no.It shaped how you moved in the world.And if you're honest… it might still be shaping your reality today.Today, conditioning is amplified through collective norms:Social media feeds curating what a "perfect" life should look like.Trends pushing how you should dress, parent, vote, work, and dream.Unspoken expectations about success, beauty, happiness—and how fast you should get there.This Code often shows up as:Dimming your opinions to stay likable or agreeable. Living a life that “looks good on paper” but feels disconnected from who you really are.Feeling bullied into 'group think'. Downplaying your dreams so you won’t stand out. Making choices—like careers, schools, relationships, or even risky behaviors—just to fit in.You might find yourself living a version of life that technically works… but doesn't feel true.You’ve been playing small—not because you're afraid to grow, but because you were trained to conform.Journal Prompt:What parts of your life were shaped—or are still shaped—by cultural or social norms that no longer reflect who you really are?Where have you been saying yes, staying silent, or shrinking in ways that don't reflect who you really are?What could you lose if you made a change?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved
4.
You've Uncovered Survival Scripts: The story that once kept you safe—but now keeps you stuck.
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The Protection & Survival Scripts Story Code™This Story Code was born from experience.From moments when you were too exposed, too vulnerable, or too overwhelmed to fully process what was happening.So your nervous system got smart.Your brain built a strategy.Your body learned to protect you.And it worked—until it didn’t.Sometimes protection looked like shrinking.Sometimes survival looked like rebellion.Numbing out, risky behavior, perfectionism, or trying to control all the outcomes.Or maybe you became the one who didn’t need anyone—ever.Whether you played it safe or played it loud, you were doing what you had to do to stay intact in a world that didn’t feel safe.But now, the same walls that once protected you may be holding you back from the life you’re meant to live.Protection often sounds like:“Don’t get your hopes up—disappointment hurts too much.”“If I don’t control everything, it’ll all fall apart.”“You can’t trust anyone but yourself.”“Play it safe. Big risks only lead to heartbreak.”“Keep your guard up—people always leave.”This Code often shows up as:Needing to control the outcome—because uncertainty feels more dangerous than staying stuck.Not applying for the dream job because you assume "they would never pick someone like me."Making excuses for bad behavior—yours or others'—so you can avoid making a change.Pushing away love, support, or opportunity before it gets too close—just in case it doesn’t last.Sabotaging something good (ghosting, quitting, picking a fight) because hope feels too risky.Journal Prompt:Where in your life have you been choosing “safe” over aligned?What person, event, or memory first taught you that this was necessary for survival?How has that old story been trying to protect you—and is it still needed today?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved
5.
You’ve Uncovered Behavioral Imprints: The story you learned by watching—and absorbing.
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The Behavioral Imprints Story Code™This Story Code doesn’t always come with clear memories.It’s not about what was told to you—it’s about what was shown.You learned by watching: the way people coped, avoided, loved, fought, overworked, or shut down.Not through words, but through energy.It was an unspoken how-to manual—absorbed through repetition, reaction, and presence.A blueprint for how to connect, protect, perform, or blend in.It wasn’t your choice.And without even realizing it, you took on those patterns.They shaped how you show up—how you relate, react, and adapt.It wasn’t conscious. It was human.But patterns can be broken.You’re not here to repeat the past. You’re here to create something new.What it might have looked like:No one talking after conflict—just silence and pretending things were fine.Tension you could feel, but no one ever named out loud.A parent panicking over little things—like a messy house, traffic, or being late.Big reactions to small things—or barely reacting to the big ones.Someone “holding it together” instead of asking for help.Blame, gossip, or side comments used instead of real conversations.This Code often shows up as :Over-apologizing even when you’ve done nothing wrong.Avoiding conflict because you never saw it modeled well.Overachieving to earn love or prove worth.Self-silencing because no one modeled emotional safety.Jumping into control mode anytime there’s noise, tension, or disorder—because you fear someone will get hurt or upset if you don’t.Journal Prompt:Are there moments when your reactions catch you by surprise—where you realize you're repeating patterns from someone in your early life?What is that imprint preventing you from fully experiencing, creating, or becoming today?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved
6.
You’ve Uncovered the Somatic Stories: The Truth Your Body Has Been Holding.
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The Behavioral Imprints Story Code™Your body is the most honest storyteller you have.It holds your emotional blueprint—the silent map of every trauma, survival pattern, and unresolved emotion you’ve ever carried.These stories don’t live in your mind.They live in your nervous system.In your breath. Your posture. Your muscles. Your sleep.In the tension you normalize, the fatigue you can’t explain, the emotional waves that seem to come from nowhere.What your mind moved on from, your body never forgot.And when the signals go ignored, the body speaks louder—through chronic symptoms, emotional overwhelm, or that deep sense that something just isn’t right.This isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.Your body has been holding your story—are you ready to listen?Your body is the compass—and it’s always trying to show you the way.This Code often shows up as:Chronic back pain from carrying too much responsibility—physically or emotionally.Tight chest, clenched jaw, or frequent headaches.Poor posture shaped by years of low confidence or insecurities.Digestive issues triggered by ongoing worry or emotional stress.Racing thoughts and inability to "shut off" your mind—signs of an overstimulated nervous system.Persistent pain, fatigue, or autoimmune flare-ups.How It shapes our life:Holding back joy, intimacy, or opportunity because the body expects danger.Moving through life with anxiety, tension, caution, or shutdown—rather than freedom.Avoiding experiences (like travel, adventure, or deep relationships) because the body feels too fragile.Feeling trapped in guilt and pain cycles.Living on high alert even when no actual threat exists—because your nervous system was wired for survival, not thriving.Journal Prompt:Where in your body do you feel the most persistent tension, discomfort, or pain?If your body could tell you one thing today—without fear, shame, or judgment—what would it say?© 2025 Cathy Tallone | The Story Codes™ | All Rights Reserved