It is me again on my hiatus! Been having so much fun I will just pop this quick note to you and continue on my day xo
See you soon.
It’s scary but worth it!
Authenticity. Vulnerability.
There are many ways to define what makes your writing or your words AUTHENTIC.
For me, to make my own definition, I just think about what the opposite of authenticity is.
When I was growing up and I was so scared to be myself.
I was scared of being judged.
I was scared of being yelled at.
I was scared of being noticed at all.
I had gotten far too much negative attention.
It outweighed the risk of receiving anything positive.
In a previous article I said this acted like an electric fence, the thing they use for dogs–
When you get enough negative feedback, you start to avoid places where you might get a shock.
You keep avoiding areas and you don’t even notice if
- the people around you have changed,
- the world has changed,
- where you live has changed.
Even if it’s safe now…
You are still avoiding shocks even if they really will never come.
But still you stay in your little box.
For me I had to stuff all my individuality in that box.
My creativity.
My passion.
My joy.
My silliness.
AND I WANTED THAT BACK.
I have lived under the weight of fear in my life.
I know how it limited me and made me silent in certain ways that I did not enjoy.
So I sought to lift that weight. That’s what authenticity is to me.
- I found safe spaces to voice, question and probe the areas I was scared to talk about.
- I did little experiments, telling stories, sharing thoughts within safe spaces.
- And then I brought some of those stories and thoughts to the public in writing.
In each little experiment, I found out if anything bad would happen.
Mostly it didn’t. Nothing was dire.
In doing all of this my life became more free.
And the thing that really became addictive for me:
Not only did I become more free, but people said my writing empowered or inspired them.
That’s what got me so hooked, realizing that:
BEING YOURSELF CAN BE A SERVICE.
Since I discovered this, I couldn’t get enough.
FACING MY FEARS BECAME A HIGH VALUE FOR ME.
It became a lifestyle for me to keep exploring and sharing my voice (with as much safety and intention as possible) even if it made my heart pitter patter.
Because I have done that over and over again
I have FELT THE LOVE of
- friends I have found and grown closer to,
- clients I have worked with (and love),
and so much more.
Writing was the way I got into being more authentic.
I found it a lot easier to be vulnerable that way.
I’ve truly created a second family from being more myself in my writing.
So when I talk about authenticity,
- I’m not talking about airing every single little THING that enters your mind.
- I’m not saying you MUST tell everyone your biggest fears and insecurities or secrets.
- I’m not demanding you publish every unfinished draft or “you are fake and superficial.”
NONE OF THAT.
The point is:
there are things you could be more open about that could change your life and someone else’s life.
And you get to determine specifically what those things are.
It doesn’t mean share about ALL THE THINGS.
Just THINGS.
Things that are worth opening up about because it’s a service to you and others.
Because it’s changed my life so much for the better, I love to help people
- who have something inside of them that hasn’t come out yet,
- who haven’t found the audience that loves your writing yet.
- who want to get the writing for your book or business to the point where it feels good to share
And then keep writing, editing, and sharing it until you feel the reaction you are hoping for.
Because, yes, writing for yourself is amazing and necessary and part of this process.
But when you show up to be of service (and yourself) and
SHARE WITH THE WORLD
that’s how you will feel the love:
- the confirmation that you are safe,
- you belong, and
- you are NEEDED here.
So don’t forget that being yourself & facing your fear can serve someone.
That is possible for you!!
Does writing make your heart go BOOM BOOM?
- Exploring how to tell a vulnerable story.
- Stepping into an area that makes you feel like a fraud.
- Expressing an opinion when you’re afraid people will say you are wrong.
It can make your heart pound or show up as:
– Indecision
– Not Knowing What to Do Next
– Uncertainty
– Confusion
– Writers’ block
– Procrastination
– Stalling
– Self-doubt
– Disquiet
– Anxiety
– Stomach aches
– Absence of Peace
One important thing to keep in mind is that you can share your writing in stages.
I highly recommend finding a safe reader or a group where you can practice sharing.
First share your writing on a smaller scale, way before you share it with the world.
Then you can improve your writing and get more comfortable sharing it.
When you are a writer or an entrepreneur in the beginning of a project,
having a safe space can help you launch a website, book or business offer with confidence.
I used safe spaces like this for many years.
They gave me clarity about what I wanted to share, how to share it, &
the courage to press publish on my business ideas and my book.
And because I got SUPPORT to face my fears and smooth out those rough edges,
my life, my business, my relationships are all different now as a result.
The Winter Writing Group can be that space for you to
get more comfortable writing and sharing about difficult things.
Not only does it include live classes with Q and A,
but it also includes a private group where
you can share one written piece per month (up to 2 pages) for editing and feedback from me and others in the group.
The Winter Writing Group can be your safe space to share.
If you sign up, this group will be available for you for 6 months, December 2023 – May 2024.
The Winter Writing Group opens for enrollment next month!
November 16 2023
There will be a limited number of spots for new people to join in order to keep it small and intimate.
If you are interested in joining, add yourself to the waitlist ASAP.
Due to the high value, low cost + limited spots,
The group has sold out 2 times.
The waitlist gets FIRST notice when the group opens next month.
Click here to join the waitlist for the Winter Writing Group.
And see you next week for another of my favorite pieces of writing in this “greatest hits” series…
