Express yourself with courage

Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery and empowerment. Have the courage to express your thoughts, feelings, and aspirations on paper, and watch as your authenticity shines through.

My writing journey was filled with self doubt. The 'Am I good enough?' came up on a daily basis. Wasn't I supposed to write for a few minutes every day? How could I do this when this voice in my head kept laughing at me, criticising me and draining me of any creative thought.

I started asking myself whose critical voice is this anyway. We would all like to say it must be a parent. But this voice was so strong and persistent it could not have been just one person. It was every authoritarian voice I had encountered through home, school, church and society. It is not surprising I felt paralysed.

So I began to question the voices, calling them out and recognising the subtle differences between them. Was I such a bad writer, was I really  boring, was what I had to say irrelevant? What was the worst that could happen? 

I made a decision to write as often as I could no matter what and I used the following tips to hold my courage and find inspiration:

• I embraced my human story.
• I switched the negative self talk for believable statements, one statement at a time e.g. I can write a word, a line, or a paragraph everyday and it doesn't matter if it is good or bad. I am still writing.
• Creative thinkers are not afraid to take a risk and express new ideas.
• I set a clear daily intention to appreciate the powerful impact writing can have worldwide. This was truly powerful.
• I meditated for 5 minutes before writing so I had clarity of thought.
• I brought my authentic self to the keyboard.
• I did not criticise myself for slow days and instead got out into nature and recharged my soul.
• I joined supportive organisations like www.irishwriters.ie and www.irishwritersunion.org  and I started to believe in myself.
• I subscribed to a writing and publication coach newsletter www.publicationcoach.com 

So these are but a few ways that you can find your courage and do it anyway. What you have to say is important and I for one would love to hear your voice.

Keep going, don't look back, you are on the right path for you.

Aintherese