Can I share something with you?
My writing suffered a Charlie-horse of apocalyptic proportions last week: it felt overworked, stiff, and left me limping around and defenseless against these lying heifers:
Self-doubt—she crept in. This is how I pushed her out.
-Fiction: When my words become uptight, (of the clutched-pearls, and teacup, pinky-up variety)—I read my novel. Why mine? Because I wrote it; I poured every part of who I am into that book and I adore it. It reminds me that, YES!, I can do this. I can weave words into glorious prose that provokes emotion, that embodies a character so wholly; it was if the reader had walked a life alongside them.
Kick self-doubt’s two-ton behind by looking at what you’ve accomplished already. Revel in the great works you’ve done. *Toot toot* your big brass horn until you’re out of breath from cheering on your own awesomeness!
-Keep it moving: Self-doubt is crippling—her job is to see you in the hallway and give you the scathing side-eye that keeps you frozen at your locker until she’s gone. But she moves out of your mind a lot quicker when you keep moving. I’ve spent the past few days gathering info on companies I’d love to work with, and ideas on creative ways to snag their attention. It’s taken my mind off of my heifers and on being productive.
Productivity is self-doubt’s steely opponent. She’s totally on your side!
-Make room for inspiration: Inspiration’s a word that gets thrown around a lot but it works. I’ll look for inspiration in different areas. Fiona Apple lyrics are the most beautiful composition of words I’ve ever heard—they reinvigorate my own compositions. The colors and graphics on Design Love Fest are pure fun and energy and make me excited to create. Alycia Hall made my night with one tweet: ‘Smile. You’re exactly where you need to be.’ And Geri Jewitt’s contest entry that read “Be kind, Be brave, Believe” made my heart happy.
Give the gift of being kind to yourself, being brave for yourself, and believing in yourself.
And have an awesome time receiving it!
You are an absolutely AMAZING writer! Tell those heifers to eat more chicken and leave you alone!
Your writing is vibrant, refreshing and completely engaging. Every creative person on the planet deals with the emotions you describe every day, no matter what level of success they’ve achieved. Our only job (aside from creating) is to do what we were born to do and know that we are enough.
Keep up the great work!
You said, ‘tell those heifers to eat more chicken’–I about died.
Thank you, Nichole- your compliments mean a lot. We creatives do have our moments. It’s pulling out of them and knowing that we are enough that takes us where we need to be.
To Annymous .please send me an e-mail to . I would love to chit-chat with you and help you in anyway I can. Slumps suck, I know that I have been there way too many times. But you can do this. You just have to reemmber how GOOD GREAT you feel at your lower weight, whatever it may be. Just reemmber what it feels like to be heavier. We all know it’s not fun. Think of what you have accomplished this far and be proud of that. Be proud of yourself. Please send me an e-mail and we can chat more. I would love to hear from you.Take care, keep your chin up and keep your fingers out of the cookie/snack/candy jar!
Wow, Tiffany!!! What a great post… even when you’re blue your writing is witty, fresh, vibrant & hilarious
I’m so glad that l’il ole me could help you in your doldrums and make your heart happy (what a great expression, by the way) – that made my heart happy.
You’re so generous & I’d love to sit and have coffee with you one day – ‘course, I’d probably end up wearing it from laughing at your wittiness, but it’d be worth it
Keep smiling & having a happy heart – it seems to do you proud.
Gerixx
Next time you’re in NC (or I’m in Canada), coffee’s on me!
Thank you for reading, Geri. Your print really did bring heart happiness. We do our best to be kind to others, brave for others, and support them; it’s important to do it for ourselves once in a while (like, every day!) too.
What a heart inspiring post. Your writing and ideas are exceptional. Be your best and enjoy the ride. Keep it coming!!!