This hit me today. I have been writing since I was in high school, but do not ever think to publish. Since I became a Teacher Consultant by attending the National Writing Project at Drew University, I found a writing group. It has motivated me and inspired me in ways I could not ever imagined. Now I’m writing a novel with a support group. Substack appeared on my radar when trying to locate an authors writing prompts and here I am! I have not posted or have any subscribers yet, but I am looking forward to this new adventure. Your piece inspired me. I’m sending you love and support!
Helen, I too have found the doldrums of writing. I’m floundering as I edit my novel. You are an inspiration to me and I’m wondering why did The Writer’s Way bring you down? Just know every word you write is helping someone. Hugs to you!
You wrote: “Where do I go from here? What do I do next?”
That's exactly where I am at the moment. I sense a new freedom in the works concerning what I write about. I'm so over the idea that I have to write to a specific audience. I don't.
I love my audience but I believe there's more. Just started with substack - possibly moving my list over from Kit or perhaps I start with a clean slate.
Thank you - it’s just what I wanted to hear (and I’ve got a tiny number of readers but felt the pressure). You’re so going to help me to be kind to myself as the busyness of December approaches. I’d give myself 100 lines of ‘Remember why you’re writing’ if it didn’t increase the joblist!
Being kind to ourselves takes a lot of mental energy I feel when we’re so used to the opposite. I’ve decided I’m going to just read loads this Christmas!
What a heartfelt post, I hope it has helped you to share. It sounds like some of what you are doing runs deep it is a part of you that has been dominant for a long time and you are needing to wake up another part of yourself that has been pushed aside and not allowed a voice for so long it needs time to find its voice again.
Some call your dominant part people pleasing and pleasing others before yourself is exhausting because it neglects you and your needs. We do need to look after ourselves before looking after others otherwise we have no way of being able to give as we are running on empty all or most of the time. But prioritising ourselves over others is hard, particularly when we haven’t done it for years. I do hope you can be gentle on yourself through this process xx
Chiming in on the timeliness! I have not been able to write a single thing in november because of just exactly that. That it has to be profound. Bingo. Thank you for releasing me from myself 😁
This is so timely Helen. Thank you!! It seems that everywhere I turn at the moment synchronicity is bringing me people saying, "create for yourself first!" This seems to be flying in the face of all my "good Buddhist" thoughts, about connecting with the other, holding awareness of the other....blah blah blah!!! Only, what happens? I get frozen and don't write, or don't publish! There is this bubbling inside me going "waaaaaa! Imagine the freedom of not giving a f%#k about people liking what I write!! Like I could fly!!" Think I can feel a post coming on!!
Good luck with your proposal. I get it that that doesn't fit quite so neatly in the "who cares?" box, but I'm beginning to think that the "Fly free and write without giving a f##k box" can go a long way.. hoping I get to find out where to!! 🙏🙏❤️
This is very timely, because as I work on launching a second publication, I can see myself falling into the trap of burning myself out to serve.
My current publication has been so easy to keep up. There is a cadence that works for me and my energy levels.
I write my monthly Substack recap and I can see it becoming difficult if I let the numbers game bother me. But I think through Substack, I’ve developed the art of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture (something I still need to work on in other aspects of my life😆). So when numbers dipped after my latest post, I was a little shocked and then I shook it off, because I loved the piece I wrote. I know that in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter. I’m showing up the way I want to and in a way that makes me happy.
(Which can be a double edged sword because you don’t want to do anything to mess with the equilibrium- hence the hesitancy of starting a new publication 😅)
Ah, yes. I’ve been there. We just want to do all the things. There’s no reason we can’t, as long as you keep reminding yourself not to over-promise (to others but mainly to yourself).
I see you and hear you. I’m feeling compassionate. I felt like this as a mother when my kids were preschool - always trying to be supporting and giving without nurturing myself. What would be a kind and gentle something to tell yourself and do for yourself?
I get you. I have been writing my memoirs for 8 years and still is not finished. I came to the same conclusion, write for me. If I like it, then it's good enough.
I finally took all of my writing over the years, the starting the changing, etc. And put all the words in one place. I have over 100,000 words. And that is only about a third. I probably could write 5 books with all the pieces. I read it and tell myself oh that's a good point, that's a good thought, oh that idea would make a wonderful book. But do I finish the book? Nope! Blah!
This hit me today. I have been writing since I was in high school, but do not ever think to publish. Since I became a Teacher Consultant by attending the National Writing Project at Drew University, I found a writing group. It has motivated me and inspired me in ways I could not ever imagined. Now I’m writing a novel with a support group. Substack appeared on my radar when trying to locate an authors writing prompts and here I am! I have not posted or have any subscribers yet, but I am looking forward to this new adventure. Your piece inspired me. I’m sending you love and support!
Helen, I too have found the doldrums of writing. I’m floundering as I edit my novel. You are an inspiration to me and I’m wondering why did The Writer’s Way bring you down? Just know every word you write is helping someone. Hugs to you!
You wrote: “Where do I go from here? What do I do next?”
That's exactly where I am at the moment. I sense a new freedom in the works concerning what I write about. I'm so over the idea that I have to write to a specific audience. I don't.
I love my audience but I believe there's more. Just started with substack - possibly moving my list over from Kit or perhaps I start with a clean slate.
Thanks for inspiring these random thoughts.
“I sense a new freedom in the works” - that’s so lovely!
Thank you - it’s just what I wanted to hear (and I’ve got a tiny number of readers but felt the pressure). You’re so going to help me to be kind to myself as the busyness of December approaches. I’d give myself 100 lines of ‘Remember why you’re writing’ if it didn’t increase the joblist!
Being kind to ourselves takes a lot of mental energy I feel when we’re so used to the opposite. I’ve decided I’m going to just read loads this Christmas!
What a heartfelt post, I hope it has helped you to share. It sounds like some of what you are doing runs deep it is a part of you that has been dominant for a long time and you are needing to wake up another part of yourself that has been pushed aside and not allowed a voice for so long it needs time to find its voice again.
Some call your dominant part people pleasing and pleasing others before yourself is exhausting because it neglects you and your needs. We do need to look after ourselves before looking after others otherwise we have no way of being able to give as we are running on empty all or most of the time. But prioritising ourselves over others is hard, particularly when we haven’t done it for years. I do hope you can be gentle on yourself through this process xx
THANK YOU! Yes I think you’re absolutely right.
Chiming in on the timeliness! I have not been able to write a single thing in november because of just exactly that. That it has to be profound. Bingo. Thank you for releasing me from myself 😁
Oh wow. It’s so much pressure isn’t it? I hope you can find the words once you’ve taken the pressure off.
This is so timely Helen. Thank you!! It seems that everywhere I turn at the moment synchronicity is bringing me people saying, "create for yourself first!" This seems to be flying in the face of all my "good Buddhist" thoughts, about connecting with the other, holding awareness of the other....blah blah blah!!! Only, what happens? I get frozen and don't write, or don't publish! There is this bubbling inside me going "waaaaaa! Imagine the freedom of not giving a f%#k about people liking what I write!! Like I could fly!!" Think I can feel a post coming on!!
Good luck with your proposal. I get it that that doesn't fit quite so neatly in the "who cares?" box, but I'm beginning to think that the "Fly free and write without giving a f##k box" can go a long way.. hoping I get to find out where to!! 🙏🙏❤️
Thank you for this, you made me chuckle! Love synchronicity! The universe is speaking.
This is very timely, because as I work on launching a second publication, I can see myself falling into the trap of burning myself out to serve.
My current publication has been so easy to keep up. There is a cadence that works for me and my energy levels.
I write my monthly Substack recap and I can see it becoming difficult if I let the numbers game bother me. But I think through Substack, I’ve developed the art of stepping back and looking at the bigger picture (something I still need to work on in other aspects of my life😆). So when numbers dipped after my latest post, I was a little shocked and then I shook it off, because I loved the piece I wrote. I know that in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter. I’m showing up the way I want to and in a way that makes me happy.
(Which can be a double edged sword because you don’t want to do anything to mess with the equilibrium- hence the hesitancy of starting a new publication 😅)
Ah, yes. I’ve been there. We just want to do all the things. There’s no reason we can’t, as long as you keep reminding yourself not to over-promise (to others but mainly to yourself).
I see you and hear you. I’m feeling compassionate. I felt like this as a mother when my kids were preschool - always trying to be supporting and giving without nurturing myself. What would be a kind and gentle something to tell yourself and do for yourself?
Reading in my corner is always good. As for a kind thing to say to myself…I’m working on it! Thank you.
I get you. I have been writing my memoirs for 8 years and still is not finished. I came to the same conclusion, write for me. If I like it, then it's good enough.
I finally took all of my writing over the years, the starting the changing, etc. And put all the words in one place. I have over 100,000 words. And that is only about a third. I probably could write 5 books with all the pieces. I read it and tell myself oh that's a good point, that's a good thought, oh that idea would make a wonderful book. But do I finish the book? Nope! Blah!
100,000 words is a massive achievement though! Well done!
What you write is always encouraging and inspiring Helen! Always! Sending you strength, rest, good wishes.
Thank you, Felicity! I think I’m in massive overthinking mode as well!