Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Grow into your Independence!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge, hosted here.

My theme this year is exploring the link between mental health and creativity. See my stance on this here.



 I is for Independence    

Before I began my journey toward being a stronger me, I probably would have said, if asked, that I was an independent person. I would have said I didn't care what others thought about me and the things I do on a daily basis. I think we all would say that. Because either we flat out aren't honest, or because we haven't really examined this. Maybe you are very independent. Good for you.

But I wasn't. I would go along with the "you shouldn't care what other peope think," addage. But inside I did care. I cared a lot. I was insecure and needy. I felt scared and weak and I felt I always wanted someon to just understand my troubles, though I was convinced no one ever could.

I worked on that. A lot. I'm still working on it. But once I admitted that I was NOT independent as I would like others to think... then I started looking for ways to BE more independent and stand on my own two feet. I began to grow self-confidence.

All of this has made me a better writer. And if not "better" at writing, it has at least made me more confident in it. I will write what I want to write. I will not think about whether or not it will sell or who will like it. I will write it for me. For my own satisfaction.

Everyone always says to do that. Not to write to the "market," not to try to appease a certain demographic. But I think at heart we are all guilty of that at least once in our lifetime. Give yourself permission to just do your thing. On your own. Independent of anyone else's opions or attention.

You'll feel free. And even better, you'll help inspire others around you to be authentic and real.


1 comment:

  1. It's always such a nuanced dance isn't it - this finding our own centered ground, independent of the judgment of others and knowing what it is to live in community, in relationship, in connection with others. I'm not sure we ever come to a static point with it, but hopefully one we're increasingly comfortable with.

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