In narrative practice, the stories people tell about their lives shape how they experience themselves and the world. Two prominent types of life narratives—contamination stories and redemption stories—play a crucial role in the meaning people ascribe to their experiences.

From a narrative practice perspective, contamination and redemption stories are not fixed; they are fluid and subject to reinterpretation. A contamination story can be re-authored into a redemption story through reflective processes and therapeutic conversations. Similarly, understanding redemption stories helps us recognise our capacity to create meaning from adversity and see our lives as dynamic rather than static.

Contamination stories are narratives where a positive experience or moment is overshadowed or negated by a subsequent negative event. In these stories, the good is spoiled, leading to feelings of despair, failure, or hopelessness. These stories often create a sense of disempowerment and reinforce beliefs of inadequacy or unworthiness. They can perpetuate cycles of shame, guilt, or pessimism, making it difficult to move forward or reframe experiences.

In narrative work we can help people deconstruct the story, questioning dominant narratives that highlight failure or loss. Reframing the negative outcome as a separate force or event allows people to reclaim agency.

Redemption stories involve narratives where a negative or challenging experience is transformed into something positive, such as growth, learning, or success. In these stories, suffering has meaning, and individuals emerge stronger or more connected. These stories foster resilience, optimism, and a sense of agency. They help people to see themselves as capable of overcoming challenges, instilling hope for the future.

Narrative work helps people craft their stories by identifying moments of strength, resilience, or wisdom that emerged from challenges.

“You can choose to have [the event] shape you as broken or as resilient.”