Freeing your mind. A letter to Amber.

You know when you have those moments in a conversation that you know is a significant exchange between two connected souls? @amberkashif and I had such a conversation the other day. I thought it was just me - but later I saw her write a post, and mention the same conversation. We both remarked how important it felt, and that we both felt compelled to share more to any other person struggling with the same thing.

I told her to write her side, she told me to write my side. haha

So - Here is my side.

I love Amber.

Whenever my DM lights up from her, I will drop whatever I'm doing to have that conversation with her. She is that kind of person. She does everything with excellence, heart, purity, and quality. She juggles a very busy life at home - but when she writes - she WRITES.

So when she came to my DM, telling me that she was struggling with writing, I definitely wanted to take the time to hear her heart. She began by telling me what was really stopping her: the fears of imperfection, and feeling like her words were not worthwhile enough to pen to paper (key to blog! lol)

I asked her if she enjoyed writing. Because that is important, isn't it? Just because we do something well - doesn't mean that we enjoy the process.

After a few minutes of back and forth, I asked her again. hehe Isn't it funny how sometimes we don't realize that we are avoiding a question? Until it's asked again! Then we pause, and think, as she did.

Again, we went back and forth a bit - until I asked her this,
"Think about this.... what if you were never able to write again. how would you feel?"

She replied that she would feel like she was dead.

That's really key isn't it.

When you have a gift unable to be expressed for any reason, and it feels like your soul is dry without it - You know that is a gift you need to protect!

The following became my "letter to her".
And if it helps you, please feel free to read this to yourself.

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Then.... you should have the feeling of life when you write - and not self-judgment/self-criticism/ overexpectation. That doesnt come from writing. That comes from what others (and yourself) have placed on it.

I think that we - as women - struggle with our own voice, thinking that it doesn't matter to others. Thinking that it must be polished - just so. Thinking that it must be perfect before it's valid, but that's not true.

Our words are life. It's how we express our emotion... our analysis... our struggle... our joy. Our sadness. our hope. our anguish.

This cannot be perfected. Humans are not perfect. There is perfection IN the imperfection,
because its raw and vulnerable and relatable. Instead of writing things to "present" to people for approval. Write because you love it.

Write and let yourself be free

Don't change the gift that is in you into something else. Allow it to be what it is - and honor it. There is no wrong.

And when you write? Not everything needs to be shared.
Some are just for you.
But some - you know should be in the world.
And it doesn't have to be a Pulitzer prize winning post
It can just be to an audience of one - the one person you want to connect with.

Don't be ashamed if there are no comments - or no upvotes. This is "popularity" - not connection.

This is the value of networking over time... and marketing.

But your voice is your voice, and it is a gift, and you are a writer.
How do i know?
because you MUST write.

So take away all the obligation and burden and - allow the fear!
Fear is good - it's real.
but don't let the fear STOP you.

Don't let it impede you.
and if it does??? WRITE about that!🙂 but write!

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There was more, but this post is long, and maybe part 2 will reach a different audience that needs to hear that!

Either way, if you read all of that? I hope it helped you. And it doesn't just apply to writers! It applies to artists and musicians and songwriters and photographers and all kinds of content creators. Your passion is a GIFT. Use it! 😊

I'll share part 2 soon. or.... maybe @amberkashif will touch on those things in her post! I don't know - but I know I'll keep an eye out for it! ❤️