I’ve always loved writing. My favorite thing is to set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write ideas. There is something about putting a pen to paper that is exhilarating.
It somehow makes the ideas more real. As if it wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
That’s why I started this blog.
Ideas
I believe ideas are given to you. I didn’t truly understand this until I read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
She talked about how she had this idea to write about a journalist in the Brazilian rainforest with a love interest of sorts. She never followed through with the idea and all the inspiration for the characters was gone after a period of time.
Then, Elizabeth met with a writing friend to talk about a book her friend was writing. This book was about a journalist in a rainforest with a love interest aspect. Almost identical to Elizabeth’s idea.
Coincidence? A trend perhaps?
Maybe.
I think there is true power in this situation even if you don’t believe in god, law of attraction, muses, etc. This was an idea that was floating around and landed on the right person. I believe our minds work in beautiful ways to help humanity progress.
Problem is, we get in the way.
How I Got Out of the Way
You innately want to make life happen.
You have ideas and want to pursue them.
Then what happens?
You gear up and make it happen? Maybe.
What if you’re scared?
That’s where I was. Always scared of what people thought. Of how I was coming off. What if people don’t like it? What if they don’t like me?
Anxiety was like a sleeper hold. Running out of breath and feeling trapped.
I had to come up with a strategy to get out of that pattern and out of the place that kept me safe from all the hurt.
I started priming. Before I post something, I take time to breath deep and accept that I have no control over what people think. I accept people won’t like it, but that I have a greater mission.
I need to create to make my mission happen. To bring dreams to life and gain skills that provide for my family and happiness.
I accept that I have to take risks to grow. Taking the risk that people might think my stuff will suck. That’s the risk I’m always taking.
You know what? A lot of it does. I’m ok with that. I have to be to keep going.
Ed Sheeran was asked at a Q&A how he became a great songwriter and what advice he’d give to someone starting out.
He said, “It’s like when you install a sink and turn the water on. A lot of shit is going to come out at the beginning and the water is going to be brown. After you leave it on for a while, the water becomes clear and drinkable. You have to put in the time to make it happen and accept a lot of it is going to be shit at the beginning.”
So here I am. I got out of my own way by taking deep breaths and understanding that I may produce some garbage. That’s ok.
Don’t let perfection strangle your life to death. It’s ok if something isn’t perfect. Keep going.
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