Retrospective Narrative Creation (RNC): A Psychological Perspective

I’ve just made up the term Retrospective Narrative Creation—at least from a psychological standpoint. RNC refers to the process by which individuals reflect on past, retrievable events (retrospective) in their lives and fashion (creation) a coherent story (narrative) that often helps explain their current psychology.

People often engage in RNC when trying to make sense of their thoughts, behaviours, or emotional states. These reflections can relate to both major life events and seemingly minor experiences—the process remains the same. For example: Why do I struggle to make new friends? Through RNC, someone might recall a past incident, such as a close friend betraying their trust. That memory gets linked with other similar experiences and, over time, solidifies into a broader narrative—perhaps something like “I’m an unlikeable person.”

Prominent moments in a person’s life can crystallise into stories that become central to their self-concept. These formative events often act as mental entry points into one’s personal history. Importantly, RNC is shaped by cognitive heuristics—mental shortcuts we use to make sense of the world. One such heuristic is the availability heuristic, where we judge how likely something is based on how easily we can recall similar instances. For example, people may overestimate the likelihood of a terror attack simply because past attacks are so vivid in memory.

I believe RNC is a powerful tool that can significantly shape how we see ourselves, influencing our self-esteem, identity, and choices. However, RNC is not inherently positive or negative—it’s what we do with it that matters.

Let me illustrate this with two contrasting case studies:

When Mike was growing up, his parents were functioning alcoholics. Despite being loved and cared for, Mike often had to support his parents after they drank too much. These experiences stirred complex emotions—embarrassment, frustration, and loyalty. As an adult, Mike frequently reflected on his upbringing. Using RNC, he came to understand that although his parents loved him, they weren’t perfect. He chose to break the cycle. Mike never drank or used drugs. His abstinence became both a product of, and a reinforcement for, the resilient identity he created. Over time, his personal narrative of strength and resilience became a guiding force in his life.

Now consider Riz, who had a very similar childhood. But Riz internalised those early experiences differently. His reflections were coloured by helplessness, shame, and confusion. Without reworking his narrative, Riz’s thoughts spiralled into patterns of low self-worth. Eventually, he turned to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. For Riz, RNC created a story of powerlessness—one that shaped his behaviour and undermined his self-esteem.

I hope these basic examples help illustrate the psychological utility of RNC. Life is unpredictable—full of highs and lows. The human experience is infinitely unique, yet profoundly shared. I think RNC offers a powerful way to craft a personal mythology, one that can either trap us or propel us forward.

Choose wisely.