Portia Nelson’s “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” is a deceptively simple poem about walking down a street and repeatedly falling into a hole. On the surface, it’s about literal holes, but it’s really about the patterns we get stuck in—habits, emotional responses, or ways of thinking that keep us repeating the same mistakes. For many people, including clients in coaching or therapy, the poem resonates deeply: it reflects how awareness, responsibility, and conscious action can gradually free us from unhelpful cycles. Growth is a process, often requiring patience and reflection before we can truly change course.
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters — Portia Nelson
Chapter I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.
Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in … it’s a habit …
But my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter V
I walk down another street.
— Portia Nelson
Reflective questions:
What are the “holes” you keep falling into in your life?
How might you move from falling unconsciously, to noticing, to taking responsibility, and ultimately to walking a new path?
By exploring these questions, we can begin to transform habitual patterns into meaningful learning and conscious choice.
