So glad you enjoyed it! It really does feel like wanting to write it vs wanting to let it out are two different things, and i don’t think i understood that until i really started writing more
Julie! Great piece! I feel like you did such a great job describing what a creative “ebb” feels like for me. I’ve learned that I just have to trust that I’ll get the flow back, especially if I don’t worry or force it too much. So far, it’s worked! And it looks like it worked for you, too, here!! Trust the timing, etc 🧡
It really does feel like when I'm knocking down creativity's door, it cowers in fear and when I ignore it, it retreats. but when i softly nurture it without expectation — that's when it blossoms (sometimes, very slowly lol).
I was in this phase all of August. I was overwhelmed with too many things and the writing thing was the easy one to put aside. But if I am super honest, it was also the thing that I wanted to put aside. Trying to be authentic and have something "worth saying" is sort of exhausting. I'm working on coming out of this and have managed to (mostly) get back to a weekly long form piece, but I still have my days or weeks that are just a no go. What has helped me a lot is reminding myself that this space is for me as much as anyone else and that I need to stop overthinking what I publish. There's very little point to me in doing this sort of writing if it is a chore rather than an outlet. Good luck to you as you figure your way through this season. Appreciate you sharing candidly.
You’ve very aptly described how I’ve been feeling lately, especially when writing for my own newsletter. I think our internet culture has conditioned us all into feeling that we have to be an expert, or at least feign a voice of absolute certainty when writing online. (Every title is something like “5 ways to XYZ” or “How to hack your ADHD.”) I try to remind myself that I don’t have to know everything to write, and in fact, I find the pieces that explore uncertainty rather than feigning certainty much more interesting anyways. Sometimes that helps, but I can’t say I’ve totally gotten past it either! Solidarity to everyone who doesn’t want to talk about it!
I really loved this, and you so eloquently (really!) described how I'm feeling too. What you write about always hits with me, which is why I'm still here!
It seems many of us are in a similar "season" and it cannot be just coincidence.
I, too, struggle with the "all or nothing" because there's something about half-assing something that doesn't sit (ha!) right with me. It's been a journey for sure, allowing myself to put only two cups away, so to speak. If it helps, it's like many things: gotta practice and build that muscle memory. And not in an attempt to trick yourself into doing more - but building that muscle that gives yourself the permission to write only three words or put away only the silverware, and that being FINE.
this is sooo relatable! wanting to write, and knowing something is there, but not wanting to let any of it out!
I really enjoyed this, thank you for letting yourself share it!
So glad you enjoyed it! It really does feel like wanting to write it vs wanting to let it out are two different things, and i don’t think i understood that until i really started writing more
Julie! Great piece! I feel like you did such a great job describing what a creative “ebb” feels like for me. I’ve learned that I just have to trust that I’ll get the flow back, especially if I don’t worry or force it too much. So far, it’s worked! And it looks like it worked for you, too, here!! Trust the timing, etc 🧡
It really does feel like when I'm knocking down creativity's door, it cowers in fear and when I ignore it, it retreats. but when i softly nurture it without expectation — that's when it blossoms (sometimes, very slowly lol).
I don’t want to talk about how much I loved this piece
I don’t want to talk about what you thought about this piece 😤 (jk, I do I do!)
I was in this phase all of August. I was overwhelmed with too many things and the writing thing was the easy one to put aside. But if I am super honest, it was also the thing that I wanted to put aside. Trying to be authentic and have something "worth saying" is sort of exhausting. I'm working on coming out of this and have managed to (mostly) get back to a weekly long form piece, but I still have my days or weeks that are just a no go. What has helped me a lot is reminding myself that this space is for me as much as anyone else and that I need to stop overthinking what I publish. There's very little point to me in doing this sort of writing if it is a chore rather than an outlet. Good luck to you as you figure your way through this season. Appreciate you sharing candidly.
You’ve very aptly described how I’ve been feeling lately, especially when writing for my own newsletter. I think our internet culture has conditioned us all into feeling that we have to be an expert, or at least feign a voice of absolute certainty when writing online. (Every title is something like “5 ways to XYZ” or “How to hack your ADHD.”) I try to remind myself that I don’t have to know everything to write, and in fact, I find the pieces that explore uncertainty rather than feigning certainty much more interesting anyways. Sometimes that helps, but I can’t say I’ve totally gotten past it either! Solidarity to everyone who doesn’t want to talk about it!
I really loved this, and you so eloquently (really!) described how I'm feeling too. What you write about always hits with me, which is why I'm still here!
It seems many of us are in a similar "season" and it cannot be just coincidence.
I, too, struggle with the "all or nothing" because there's something about half-assing something that doesn't sit (ha!) right with me. It's been a journey for sure, allowing myself to put only two cups away, so to speak. If it helps, it's like many things: gotta practice and build that muscle memory. And not in an attempt to trick yourself into doing more - but building that muscle that gives yourself the permission to write only three words or put away only the silverware, and that being FINE.