Here's How I See the Difference Between Storytelling and Story Work
Storytelling gives your stories a voice; Story Work gives them purpose in your life.
What if everything you’ve been taught about stories and storytelling is only part of the picture?
You already know this: stories are everywhere. Your life is a collection of them. Some you share with the world, some you carry quietly, and others slip by unnoticed.
But what if noticing those stories—truly seeing them—could change the way you live?
We’re wired for story. Stories help us learn, make sense of our experiences, and connect with others. Yet, we often think of them in a singular way: as something to craft, shape, and share. A story, in this traditional sense, has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It’s wrapped in a neat takeaway, a lesson, or a polished narrative.
But stories don’t just exist for the audience. They exist for you.
This is the difference between Storytelling and Story Work.
Storytelling is the art of sharing your stories with others. It creates connection, passes on wisdom, and inspires action. It’s about inviting others into your world in a way that resonates with theirs.
Story Work is different. It’s about turning inward and noticing the stories you carry—past, present, and even imagined. It’s about uncovering meaning, making space for reflection, and using your stories to guide how you live, love, and grow.
I first discovered Story Work during a season of unexpected grief. I wasn’t just mourning people or events; I was grieving the small, everyday stories that had quietly ended without me realizing it. The routines, conversations, and fleeting moments that had once been constants in my life were suddenly gone.
That realization changed everything.
I saw how much I had overlooked—how many stories had come and gone without my full attention. Story Work became my way of slowing down, of actively engaging with those stories instead of letting them fade unnoticed. It gave me a practice to honor those moments, to recognize what mattered before it was too late.
I’ve shared more about navigating that grief and the transformation it brought me here: Welcome to Dangerously Good Stories
But Story Work isn’t just for grief. It’s a tool for clarity, connection, and meaning. It helps you see your life with new depth—whether you’re navigating change, seeking more presence, or simply wanting to feel more engaged in your day-to-day.
This article will guide you through:
The key differences between Storytelling and Story Work.
Why both matter—and how they serve different roles in your life.
Practical exercises to help you start noticing, reflecting on, and engaging with your most meaningful stories.
Your stories are powerful. Not just the ones you tell, but the ones you live. This is your invitation to engage with them in a way you may never have before.
How I See Storytelling and Story Work
For the record, this isn’t gospel. It’s simply how I’ve come to conceptualize Storytelling and Story Work through years of practice and reflection.
The word story is everywhere. It’s used in marketing, branding, journalism, and entertainment. Storytelling is widely recognized as a tool for connection, influence, and meaning-making.
But Story Work? It’s rarely talked about—despite its transformative potential.
While I didn’t coin the term, I’ve spent years developing my own approach to it. And in doing so, it has reshaped how I see myself, my relationships, and the world around me.
The simplest way to understand the distinction is this:
Storytelling looks outward. It’s about shaping and sharing experiences to connect with others.
Story Work looks inward. It’s about noticing and engaging with your personal stories to deepen self-awareness and intentionality.
Both are powerful, but they serve entirely different purposes:
→ Storytelling helps us communicate emotions, lessons, and perspectives in ways that inspire, teach, and create connection.
→ Story Work, helps us slow down and witness our own experiences, aligning with our values and living more intentionally.
→ Together, they provide a framework for personal growth, meaningful relationships, and deeper clarity in how we move through life.
Let’s take a deeper look at each.
What is Storytelling?
Storytelling is the art of sharing your stories with others. It’s about creating connection, passing on wisdom, or inspiring action.
At its best, storytelling invites people into your world while resonating with their own experiences. It sparks empathy, deepens understanding, and sometimes even inspires change.
A well-told story isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how it felt, what it meant, and why it matters.
Example Story:
Years ago, I entered Canada with a gallon of milk and a box of cat litter. Immigration flagged me, and within minutes, I learned I had 24 hours to leave the country.
I wasn’t banned forever—I could return—but my frequent visits had raised red flags. Despite my regular trips back to the U.S., the officials knew what I wasn’t saying out loud: I was practically living in Canada with my boyfriend. And immigration law is clear…
You can’t just move to another country.
That weekend, on the Ambassador Bridge, at the international line between the U.S. and Canada, Dave asked me to marry him. I said yes.
Given the circumstances, I was fine with a simple courthouse wedding. We just wanted to be together. But my dad had other ideas. In just six weeks—between hospital visits (a family member was in the ICU) and the chaos of the holiday season—we pulled together a 150-person wedding.
One day, while running errands with my Aunt Linda, we spontaneously stopped at a wedding dress consignment shop. I tried on the dress. Aunt Linda cried. But I left without it because I didn’t have the money to buy it right then.
In fact, I wasn’t planning on a wedding, let alone be able to buy a wedding dress without help from my mom. So, I wanted her to see the dress. But she was struggling with the whole situation, and honestly, so was I.
The situation was complicated.
At the heart of it, I felt like I was being swept into a day that wasn’t mine. A courthouse wedding was one thing, but now I’d be standing in front of 150 people. The consignment shop wedding dress felt like such a small ask in the grand scheme, and it symbolized at least one piece of this day that felt like mine.
Finally, my mom came to see me in the dress. She cried. And we left with it. In that moment, it wasn’t about the dress. It was about being seen. It was about finding a small moment of connection between us amidst all the chaos.
And despite the whirlwind planning, the ICU visits, and the winter storms, Dave and I had the most magical, snowy winter wedding. I felt like a bride that day, which was all I truly wanted if I was going to have a wedding.
I remember the butterflies in my stomach as I walked down the aisle. The rave reviews of the mac and cheese at dinner. The dancing that kept us out until early morning.
It wasn’t perfect. But it was ours.
Why This Is Storytelling
This story does more than just recount an event. It invites you into my experience.
That story is a classic example of storytelling. From that one story:
You know me a little better.
You might relate to pieces of my story. Maybe you’ve navigated complicated family dynamics, immigration challenges, or whirlwind wedding planning.
Or maybe you don’t relate but maybe my story sparks your own memories. You might recall your own wedding, an unexpected moment of connection, or a time when life took an unplanned turn.
That’s the power of storytelling. It connects us. It gives meaning to our experiences. It helps us share who we are and how we make sense of the world.
But stories don’t just exist for an audience. Some of the most powerful stories are the ones we carry within us—the ones that don’t get told, but shape who we are.
That’s where Story Work comes in.
What is Story Work?
Story Work is the practice of turning inward to explore your personal stories—past, present, and even imagined. It’s about noticing their truths, understanding their impact, and using their insights to guide how you live, love, and grow.
Unlike storytelling, which is about sharing with others, Story Work is about deeply witnessing your own experiences. It’s about asking:
What moments have shaped me in ways I didn’t recognize at the time? How do my personal narratives influence my choices, relationships, and self-perception?
What insights or lessons do my untold stories hold?
What stories do I want more of?
At its core, Story Work is an act of awareness. And sometimes, a single detail from an old story can shift how we see everything.
Example Story:
Years after that whirlwind wedding, one detail stood out as I reflected on that whirlwind wedding: Aunt Linda.
Shopping for a wedding dress is an intimate, tender experience. And in the midst of all the chaos, she was the one who showed up for me. She let me have my moment as a bride-to-be. She didn’t hesitate or second-guess it—she was just there.
A few days later, she pulled me aside and acknowledged the family tensions happening in the background. She saw the pressure I was under. She called it out when no one else seemed to notice. She validated the madness.
And that’s when I realized—her presence wasn’t just about picking out a dress. It was about being seen. She made me feel supported in a time when I felt like I was being pulled in a dozen different directions.
Years later, just before my eighth wedding anniversary, I saw Aunt Linda at a family gathering. I had this sense that I needed to tell her. It felt important—urgent, even.
I looked her in the eye and said, “Thank you for showing up for me. That moment mattered so much more than I knew at the time.”
That’s Story Work.
It’s the act of revisiting our experiences, noticing the layers we may have missed, and recognizing how those stories still shape us today.
It’s holding those moments with care, finding meaning in them, and sometimes, taking action—whether that’s expressing gratitude, shifting a perspective, or making peace with an old narrative.
If the difference between Storytelling and Story Work still isn’t fully clicking, no worries. Up next, I’ve got four examples that will make it crystal clear.
Examples of Storytelling vs. Story Work
Concepts often feel abstract until we see them in action. Let’s explore how the same story transforms through the lens of Storytelling versus Story Work.
Example 1: Driving Home from Surgery
Storytelling focuses on sharing the moment as a narrative to inspire others, emphasizing the outward connection. In contrast, Story Work involves unpacking the moment for personal insight and growth, turning inward to uncover values and emotional truths.
Storytelling Example:
In May 2018, David was driving, holding my hand, when it hit me: “He’s been in the driver’s seat before. David has always been at my side when it counts.” Memories of all the big moments we’ve faced together flooded in. Through funerals, births, and surgeries, he’s been in the driver’s seat, and I’ve been in the passenger seat, navigating it all together.
Because this story highlights the quiet details that stand the test of time in our relationship but often go unnoticed, I shared it as a story in my business. I used it to illustrate the goodness that comes from looking for “what’s steady.” Stories like these inspire my readers to notice what they love about their relationships more often and with greater intention.
Story Work Example:
I’ll never forget driving home from a surgery I had in 2018. David, my husband, was driving, and we were holding hands. My head was calm, going from thought to thought, “How am I feeling? What’s ahead? I hope this surgery actually worked. It was the second one. Are the kids being good for the sitter?” And, of course, random to-dos.
I wasn’t on a device or distracted, so I felt fully present in the car with him. Being present is the goal, right? Or is it? There’s something even more beautiful: awareness.
All of a sudden, I became aware of the present moment. I noticed that we were holding hands. That awareness brought back memories of past experiences: attending funerals, the births of our children, and my first surgery. David has always been by my side. He’s been in the driver’s seat before. More than just being with me, he’s actively taken care of me in these moments.
I thought, “THIS is something I value.”
In that moment, I took a photo with my phone.
It wasn’t about being in the car or holding hands. It wasn’t even about documenting it. It was about noticing. This moment didn’t end up like so many others, passed by unseen. Instead, I saw it. I felt it. THAT’S living wide awake. The photograph is just a bonus and a way to tell my brain, “More, please.”
See the difference?
The storytelling example emphasizes connection, sharing the story to highlight a universal idea—the quiet strength of enduring love. It’s crafted to inspire reflection in others, sparking a sense of awareness for their unique, specific details and gratitude in their own relationships.
The Story Work example, on the other hand, delves into the moment’s personal significance. It’s about noticing and honoring the deeper truth behind the memory: the steady presence of my partner and the value I place on steadiness, reliability, and care. This shift from sharing outwardly to reflecting inwardly illustrates how Story Work transforms simple moments into anchors of meaning and clarity.
Example 2: Molasses Cookies
The storytelling example preserves a nostalgic memory, sharing it as a sweet anecdote. The Story Work example illustrates how reflecting on a story from the past can lead to meaningful action and connection in the present, turning a simple gift into a profound moment of love and gratitude.
Storytelling Example:
I always loved the Archway molasses cookies my grandma used to have. As a child, I’d sneak into the pantry to grab cookies every chance I got, usually when my grandma napped after All My Children and before Oprah. I haven’t done so in years, though, because my grandma passed away over 20 years ago.
Story Work Example:
At Christmas 2019, my mom surprised me with a box of Archway molasses cookies. I hadn’t had those cookies since Grandma passed in 1995. It wasn’t just a treat—it was a connection to my childhood and to my grandma. The thoughtfulness of that one detail filled me with warmth and joy.
See the difference?
The storytelling example captures a nostalgic childhood memory. It’s a sweet glimpse into my past, offering a relatable and lighthearted anecdote. While it may not have a full story arc, sharing the fragment still invites others to reflect on their own cherished traditions or favorite childhood treats, because stories spark stories.
In contrast, the Story Work example demonstrates how a past story inspired action in the present—my mom surprising me with a gift that carried a deep emotional connection. It’s a powerful reminder that our stories don’t exist in isolation; they can inspire meaningful acts of love and connection when we reflect on them with care.
Example 3: Therapy Session
Storytelling highlights a brief connection with another person, focusing outward on the human connection. Story Work looks inward, uncovering values and how the experience influenced future actions.
Storytelling Example:
During a session with my therapist, I opened up about being estranged from a parent. She paused and said, “I know how hard that can be. My child and I don’t have much contact either.” She shared a little more, and while it was brief, it shifted something in me. It made our work together feel more human, more connected.
Story Work Example:
Reflecting on that moment, I realized how much I value openness and shared humanity, even in professional relationships. Her willingness to share a sliver of her story made me feel seen, like “she gets it,” which is especially important after medical and therapy trauma where professionals clearly didn’t. Today, when I seek out a professional, their openness, whether sharing their neurotype or snippets of their life, helps me decide if they are the right fit for me. You can be open while maintaining boundaries.
See the difference?
The storytelling example highlights how sharing even a small, personal detail can create a sense of connection and humanity across any of our relationships: acquaintances, family, friends, client/professional, brand/customer, and more.
The Story Work example shifts inward, focusing on how that connection influenced my values. It explores how a single moment of openness became a catalyst for healing and a guide for making future decisions about relationships—both personal and professional. Story Work takes the story beyond ‘what happened’ and ‘why it matters’ and uses the story as a guiding principle for ‘what’s next.’
Example 4: The Family Cabin
This example uses two different stories about my family’s cabin to illustrate the distinction between Storytelling and Story Work. The storytelling example captures a vivid memory filled with action, humor, and energy, while the Story Work example focuses on reflection and emotional processing, transforming a sense of loss into closure and gratitude.
Storytelling Example:
The Attack of the Bees. On our first day at the family cabin, my sister and I were running up and down the stairway to the lake. On one trip back up, I felt a sting on my leg, then another—I’d stepped on a ground hive. I yelled for my sister to run around the shed while I sprinted to the cabin. Inside, the chaos continued as my mom and Grandma killed bees for an hour. I was stung seven times, my sister only twice. That story became a Grade 5 writing assignment the next school year.
Story Work Example:
When the cabin’s fate became uncertain, I turned to my camera to process the loss. I captured everything: the canoe by the cabin, the view from the driveway, and the steps where I played. Each photograph was an act of acknowledgment, a way to say, “Thank you for this story. I see you. I honor you.” The process shifted me from fear to closure and peace. If the cabin were sold tomorrow, I’d be okay.
See the difference?
So again, this example takes a unique approach by using two distinct stories about the same place—my family’s cabin—to explore the differences between Storytelling and Story Work.
The storytelling example entertains with a lively memory of childhood chaos, turning it into a fun anecdote that invites others to laugh at my expense and likely recount their own tales of bee-related mishaps.
The Story Work example shifts to a quieter, more introspective tone that shows how processing our stories with creativity can help process change and loss and create emotional resolution.
By weaving together two perspectives on the same place, this example shows how storytelling and Story Work can co-exist, each serving its own purpose: one to preserve a moment for connection, the other to transform it into a journey of healing and closure.
Key Differences: Storytelling vs. Story Work
While both storytelling and Story Work engage with your experiences, their focus and purpose are fundamentally different.
Storytelling:
Looks outward.
Focuses on sharing stories with others.
Builds connection through emotions, lessons, and perspectives.
Story Work:
Turns inward.
Explores your stories for personal insight and growth.
Helps you align with your values, deepen self-awareness, and create meaningful change.
Why Both Matter
Storytelling Builds Connection
Stories are bridges. They connect us through shared emotions, lessons, and humor, sparking empathy and understanding in ways that facts and logic cannot.
Example:
Sharing a story about navigating the grief of losing a loved one might inspire someone else to open up about their own loss, fostering connection and shared healing.
Story Work Fosters Personal Transformation
Story Work takes the same memory and turns it inward. It helps you notice patterns, confront unresolved emotions, and discover what truly matters to you.
Example:
Instead of sharing the story of loss, you reflect on what that grief taught you about resilience or love. That insight becomes a guide for future decisions, grounding you in your values.
Together, They Create a Full Circle
Storytelling gives external voice to your experiences, while Story Work deepens internal understanding.
By engaging with both, you create a cycle of growth:
Understanding yourself through Story Work enriches the authenticity of the stories you tell.
Sharing those stories fosters deeper connections with others.
Why Now?
In today’s fast-paced world, we’re drowning in content but starving for meaning. Amidst the endless scroll of content, we risk losing ourselves in noise. Engaging in Story Work provides the counterbalance, helping you align with meaning and your values and find clarity amidst the noise.
How to Get Started with Story Work
Your stories are already within you, waiting to be noticed.
These exercises are designed to help you connect with them in simple, accessible ways. Each activity focuses on small, intentional actions, proving that Story Work doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
It’s not about tackling your whole life in one go. Instead, it’s about starting where you are, with what you have, and letting the insights emerge naturally.
By engaging with these exercises, you’ll begin to notice how even the tiniest moments carry meaning, opening the door to a richer connection with your life’s stories.
Three simple ways to start noticing and working with your stories today:
1. Notice Your People
Reflect on someone who matters to you. Write down three vivid memories you’ve shared with them.
Ask yourself: What do these memories reveal about why this person matters to me? How have they shaped who I am?
Action: Share a specific story with them, either verbally or in writing, as a gesture of gratitude and connection.
✦ Resource: Download the Notice Your People PDF (available to free subscribers) to guide you through this practice.
2. Start your Tiny Story List
Start small by listing 10 details, moments, or stories that stand out from your life. Big, small. Whatever comes to mind.
Examples:
The sound of your child’s laughter during a game of hide-and-seek.
The way your grandmother’s kitchen smelled of her sourdough bread baking.
The time you got lost driving and discovered a hidden gem of a coffee shop.
Action: Choose one story and ask yourself: What does this moment mean to me? How has it influenced my life? What could I do with this story?
✦ Resource: Explore my 5-Part Story Work practice on this page and see if any ideas for your stories come up.
✦ Resource: Download my PDF of life story prompts - 120 Stories You've Already Lived: Shift from ‘What Stories?’ to ‘Wow, I have so many stories!’
3. Revisit Your Younger Self
Use your inner child to enliven your present.
Reflect on a childhood memory that fills you with joy or pride.
Ask yourself: Who was I in that moment? How can I embody the spirit of that child today?
Example: “I was the kid who climbed trees with a sketchpad and snacks. That fearless creativity now inspires my approach to self-regulation as an adult.”
Tips for Staying Grounded
Engaging with your stories can bring up a mix of emotions. Here’s how to stay grounded in the process:
Curiosity Over Judgment: Approach your stories with a sense of wonder, not criticism. Even painful moments carry lessons and insights worth uncovering.
Trust the Process: Story Work doesn’t require perfect answers or tidy conclusions. Let the meaning evolve as you engage with your stories.
Start Small: You don’t need to tackle your whole life at once. Focus on one memory or moment at a time.
Conclusion
Storytelling and Story Work are distinct yet deeply connected. Storytelling shares your experiences with others, fostering connection and shared humanity. Story Work helps you look inward, uncovering meaning and aligning with what truly matters.
Together, they enrich each other. Story Work gives depth to the stories you share, while storytelling gives voice to the insights you’ve uncovered.
Here’s the big thing for me: we get ONE life.
Time is finite.
The people and places that define our lives are always shifting.
Without pause and reflection, we risk sleepwalking through our days, missing the moments that make life meaningful.
Story Work offers a way to break the cycle.
By slowing down, noticing, and reflecting, you bring clarity, intention, and joy into your everyday life. And here’s the beauty: you don’t have to share your stories with anyone. Story Work is for you. It’s a quiet, personal process that invites you to connect with yourself on a deeper level, no audience required.
Your stories deserve to be noticed, honored, and acted upon for yourself and no one else.
An Invitation to Go Deeper
Dangerously Good Stories: A Substack Community for Story Work
If this piece resonated with you, I’d love to invite you to subscribe to Dangerously Good Stories, where I share tools, exercises, and reflections to help you deepen your Story Work practice.
If you’re craving a life lived awake and enlivened, DGS offers Story Work guidance to unearth and repurpose your tiny life stories, turning their insights into peace, meaning, and bold, inspired action.
WHAT YOU’LL GET:
🎁 Starter Resources (Free): Foundational guides like 120 Stories You’ve Already Lived, Notice Your People, and Story Work Basics, perfect for kickstarting your Story Work practice.
🌿 Personal Essays: Candid reflections on how I (Marie Masse) use the Five-Part Story Work Framework to navigate life as a gifted and intense AuDHDer, while finding meaning, connection, and joy.
✨ Paid Subscriptions: Gain full access to all downloadable guides, templates, monthly exercises, and quarterly Slow Down Sessions for deeper reflection.
If you’re ready, come on in!
Story work is so similar to what I teach and write about in MindShifting, changing from story -- script -- action to story -- reflection -- response. https://a.co/d/dQRtPym