The Story Solution: Change Your Toxic Self-Stories and Thrive

by Anna Katharina Schaffner

A Belfast Telegraph Book for 2026

Have you ever told yourself one of these?

I'm stupid... I'm ugly... I'm bad...
I'm the best... I'm a victim... I'm different...

We all tell ourselves stories to make sense of our place in the world and why we are the way we are. Sadly, the most damaging ones often dominate and hold us back.

In The Story Solution, coach Anna Katharina Schaffner identifies the six core self-blaming and world-blaming stories, revealing how to break free from these self-sabotaging scripts and release yourself from their grip.

Mixing psychological insights, case studies and practical guidance, this empowering guide will help you to rewrite your self-story in five accessible steps and learn how to grow, thrive and prosper.

Genres: Self Help

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2026

Reviews

[Andreas Kennardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

we are often thinking ourself as a character shaped by multiple layer of stories, and this book help you determine many kind of stories you’ve told/been told, consciously or unconsciously.

what stroke me is cinderella story is not just a reminder that women should not need a hero (men) to save them, but it’s a story of you don’t need to accept that you are a victim even though you are clearly being victimized. just be gracious, pretty, and let others help you. such an interesting and new take for me😜.

[PG Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - the author explains very convincingly how we might be following or reusing the outdated toxic scripts picked up from childhood or negative experiences to misguide us in day-to-day life. Looking at your own stories from an outside perspective really makes you think how unhelpful and damaging they can be, if not re-written (which is what the author urges you to do!) with a positive look in mind.

[Lou Reckinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most self help books, I find this one is based on a good thought but drawn out way too long. Skipped through the parts I didn’t identify with. Somehow too generic and too specific at the same time. But will take something away from it