Storieopolis - The Origin Story 🧠
Weighing in at roughly 3 pounds at full maturation, your brain (Storieopolis) is made up of two twin hemispheres with a gland (Paul) in the middle, each half is made up of layers, An outer layer (Judy, Bella), a middle layer (Karen, Steve, Thelma, Basil & Hugh) and a base (Bob). Its Carls job to make sure the two hemispheres share information appropriately back and forth.
From conception, the brain (Storieopolis) develops in a carefully choreographed sequence, beginning with the rapid formation of neurons and their migration into position (science stuff). In the womb and through the first two years, the right hemisphere dominates, building the foundations for emotional bonding, sensory integration, and the intuitive, experiential “soul” side of the self. During this period, most experiences are stored subconsciously as sensory and emotional impressions, shaping the nervous system’s baseline (Calm Cool and Collected or not so much). The left hemisphere, home to the ego, logic, and language, begins to activate around age two, adding narrative and structure to experience (Story). By early childhood, both hemispheres start collaborating (Thanks Carl!), with the right brain still strongly influencing emotional tone and creativity.
The brain (Storieopolis) undergoes two major pruning phases — first around ages 6–12, refining sensory and motor connections, and again in adolescence, remodeling higher-order thinking regions like the prefrontal cortex (Judy). Adolescence brings heightened emotional reactivity as the limbic system (Karen, Steve, Thelma, Basil & Hugh) matures ahead of the rational brain (Judy), fostering identity exploration but also vulnerability. By age 25, the brain (Storieopolis) reaches full maturation, ideally balancing ego and soul, and integrating conscious reasoning with subconscious emotional drives. Throughout life, neuroplasticity allows for rewiring, meaning learning, healing, and transformation remain possible at any age. The reverse is also true — if you don’t use it, you lose it. Skills you once had, left unpractised, will be pruned. Continuous learning, problem-solving, and new experiences keep neural pathways strong and prevent mental stagnation.
Traumatic stress can disrupt this developmental arc in both hemispheres — over-activating right-brain survival responses and impairing left-brain narrative processing. When unresolved, this can skew neural pruning toward fear-based circuits and limit full integration of emotion and reason. However, with intentional practices like therapy, mindfulness, and enriched environments, the brain can form new, healthier pathways, restoring balance between hemispheres, ego and soul, and conscious and subconscious mind.
Quick summary: 🧠
Age 0–2: Right-brain dominance — emotional/soul foundation.
Age 2–6: Left brain joins — ego, language, rules.
Age 6–12: First pruning — specialization.
Age 2–20: Emotional remodeling — risk & identity.
Age 20–25: Full maturation — integration.
Age 25+: Lifelong neuroplasticity and Pruning — growth or regression possible.
Traumatic Stress can disrupt the brain’s development, but therapeutic practices and enriched experiences can help restore balance and promote healthier connections between emotion and reason.