THE BLIND SPOT LENS

Every story teaches us what to pay attention to.

Some do it loudly.
Others do it quietly.

This exercise is about discernment. It invites you to slow down and notice how stories are framed, what they center, and what they quietly normalize or omit.

There is no right conclusion to reach. The goal is not judgment, cynicism, or skepticism, but awareness.

1. Name the story

Choose a story you’ve encountered recently. This could be a news article, a social post, a documentary, a workplace narrative, or even a story you tell yourself.

Briefly describe the story as it was presented:

• What happened?

• Who is involved?

• What is the stated point?

2. Notice what's centered

Stories always tell us what matters. Reflect on the following:

• What details are emphasized?

• Whose voice is prioritized?

• What emotions are encouraged?

Notice what the story invites you to care about most.

3. Identify the blind spots

Now look at what’s missing:

• What information is absent?

• Whose perspective is not included?

• What questions are not being asked?

Blind spots are not always intentional, but they are always meaningful.

4. Examine what's being normalized

Some stories persuade through repetition.

Take a closer look:

• What behaviors, assumptions, or power dynamics does this story treat as normal or inevitable?

• What goes unquestioned?

Normalization is one of the quietest forms of influence.

5. Zoom out

Complete the following sentence in your own words:

This story shapes my understanding of the world by encouraging me to notice ___________.

Then consider:

What might change if I widened my attention?

Clarity is not only about understanding ourselves.

It’s also about understanding the stories that shape our perception.