This is so beautiful. I have started putting my writing out more consistently this year and I can confirm everything you've written here!! So true. I am eager to deepen my thoughts and theories and I know that simply requires writing more and having many drafts.
Thank you for this information! I’ve never thought of myself as a writer and this gave me the inspiration to start writing about a recent traumatic experience. Thank you and stay tuned!
I loved all of these words about writing. Thank you! They resonate with my green experiences with the medicine of writing. It does make me question how I want to be seen until I realized I really have no say in that (never have) so best to surrender and take the liberating leap anyway.
Absolutely, liberation comes from within. It is a part of taking responsibility when we put the work into the world. Happy to hear about your bravery, Nessa!:)
Wow, this was something I really needed to read today. I’ve only just started on this platform and just started writing more regularly again after years of procrastination because of fear, perfectionism, etc. I’ve written two posts and I was just talking to my partner about working through the feelings that come up as I release my writing into the world and as I don’t always get the reception or engagement I’m hoping for. Even from people I literally know. It’s been an exercise in managing my expectations and also regrounding in that ultimately I write in service of my soul and that other’s engagement with my work is more of a happy byproduct than the reason for writing. And also that it’s ok to hold space for all of the feelings, including the hope that the right people will see my work and feel moved enough to engage with it without becoming swallowed up by that as a goal
Yenessi, thank you for sharing this so vulnerably - it means a lot to me and other writers/readers who are on the same path! We all sit in this silence and brew new medicine in it. 💗
I’ve been realizing that for so long I’ve been editing so much of my behavior in order to avoid “bothering” others, constantly in a state of fear that I’m interrupting someone else or taking up too much space.
This is a beautiful reminder that true creativity really means taking a true risk and putting out our raw hearts into the world.
I think I’ve held myself back for a long time out of fear, but I’m ready to break that pattern. I just got my first ‘negative-ish’ Substack comment and I’m glad because it means my writing is getting sent out there — and rubbing people the wrong way — and *that* means that it’s making waves.
Glad to be here and thanks for this reminder, Rūta :)
Thank you for this! I am inspired and want to give writing a goal. It made me remember that last Spring I wrote a fictional tale about a perfect day I had lived and it moved me in an interesting way. I shall dedicate more time for writing again. Could you tell me more about the course.
Dear Fernanda, I will be launching the course on 14th. This will be a 6-week journey for recovering the inner artist and writer, unblocking creative blocks, and aligning with your most authentic writing.
Meanwhile you're welcome to join the writing sessions that I'll start holding from Friday 6th September, 10AM CET! They are free and open to my readers.
I m interested !!!❤️🔥your writing truly resonates with me
All my writing - so far is mainly poetry and short prose arrive complete . The moment I think what I want to write it just goes
It’s almost like spirit won’t take any form of control or restriction. But writing keeps coming back as a possible way of expression for me. I’m exploring it arm. I got adhd ; or just let’s say intense life forced that seeks to descend!as my definition of it anyway- but I DO struggle with structure !so your course would be so welcome 🙏
Hi Maria, that's amazing - thank you so much for sharing and letting me know! I will keep my readers and subscribers updated via email about the coming course very soon!:) X
Discovered your Substack today with this post and I love it so much that I am saving it and even taking a printout! It’s so precious and so timely for where I am right now. Thank you so much!
It’s a synchronicity that I’ve run into this. I’ve been reckoning with how much fear has driven my decisions lately— especially with my writing.
I’ll give this one anecdote that shows how spot on your observations are: I’ve clamored to write since before I could remember. According to my mom, I would spend days inventing stories to her. But then the fear set in. When I started a blog, I wrote about others. When it came time for a career, I became a journalist. Everything I’ve ever written that dares to open me up to the world is sitting in a drawer. To be clear, I love my job and the value my work brings to my community, to democracy. Both things can be true. But it’s the first thing I’m reckoning with.
Very interesting introspection, Alejandro! It's a beautiful how writing can hide us from the world, and how it can open us to the world! But even if we tell other's stories, as in journalism, there is a glimmer of ourselves in it. Thank you for reading and reflecting.
This is lovely Ruta. Your post reminds me of some fabulous prose poems be Ben Lerner: the voice; the stone; and on disliking poetry
And it’s very helpful at this point in time. I’ve been on Substack for a while as reader but keep feeling an impulse to step into a newsletter. Thank you for the encouragement.
Dear Terri, please start your substack! It's time 😌 Looking forwards to read your work! Thank you for your reflections, I will be checking out Lerner's work.
I enjoyed reading this, Ruta. I think it’s well written, and walks the talk such that the reader gets the message twice, first as message and second as transmission. There’s a combination of flow and discipline, structure and surprise, self and others. Bravo. 🙌
This is so beautiful. I have started putting my writing out more consistently this year and I can confirm everything you've written here!! So true. I am eager to deepen my thoughts and theories and I know that simply requires writing more and having many drafts.
So happy to hear, Emi! The more we write, the more we put it out there, the more we value it, and improve, and find our voices! X
Wow did you mean Maria popova with the herons ? https://www.themarginalian.org/2024/09/11/great-blue-heron/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYuzLDk1vaoGtKIm4W-j75GUV7u5xjgdaqoGelpohDTec18hG4SyrGuYU0_aem_DrST_l5VLK32HD4Z7UxW0g
No!:) But a good coincidence! It's this friend: https://www.instagram.com/colleenen/
Great piece!
I get inspired to write from my highest hill and from my deepest valley!
In between lays a journey!
I am in!
So happy to hear, Romy!:)
😀
Thank you for this information! I’ve never thought of myself as a writer and this gave me the inspiration to start writing about a recent traumatic experience. Thank you and stay tuned!
That's beautiful, Jen!
I loved all of these words about writing. Thank you! They resonate with my green experiences with the medicine of writing. It does make me question how I want to be seen until I realized I really have no say in that (never have) so best to surrender and take the liberating leap anyway.
Absolutely, liberation comes from within. It is a part of taking responsibility when we put the work into the world. Happy to hear about your bravery, Nessa!:)
Wow, this was something I really needed to read today. I’ve only just started on this platform and just started writing more regularly again after years of procrastination because of fear, perfectionism, etc. I’ve written two posts and I was just talking to my partner about working through the feelings that come up as I release my writing into the world and as I don’t always get the reception or engagement I’m hoping for. Even from people I literally know. It’s been an exercise in managing my expectations and also regrounding in that ultimately I write in service of my soul and that other’s engagement with my work is more of a happy byproduct than the reason for writing. And also that it’s ok to hold space for all of the feelings, including the hope that the right people will see my work and feel moved enough to engage with it without becoming swallowed up by that as a goal
Yenessi, thank you for sharing this so vulnerably - it means a lot to me and other writers/readers who are on the same path! We all sit in this silence and brew new medicine in it. 💗
Well it feels good to be doing this new medicine work in such good company 😊
This was very inspiring piece, one that I know I will be coming back to 🌷
Thank you, Liz! Glad to hear 😊
I’ve been realizing that for so long I’ve been editing so much of my behavior in order to avoid “bothering” others, constantly in a state of fear that I’m interrupting someone else or taking up too much space.
This is a beautiful reminder that true creativity really means taking a true risk and putting out our raw hearts into the world.
I think I’ve held myself back for a long time out of fear, but I’m ready to break that pattern. I just got my first ‘negative-ish’ Substack comment and I’m glad because it means my writing is getting sent out there — and rubbing people the wrong way — and *that* means that it’s making waves.
Glad to be here and thanks for this reminder, Rūta :)
Hi Eden! This is perhaps the biggest task for a creative person, to be able to risk. Well done and thank you for sharing!:)
Dear Rūta,
Thank you for this! I am inspired and want to give writing a goal. It made me remember that last Spring I wrote a fictional tale about a perfect day I had lived and it moved me in an interesting way. I shall dedicate more time for writing again. Could you tell me more about the course.
Warmly,
Fernanda
Dear Fernanda, I will be launching the course on 14th. This will be a 6-week journey for recovering the inner artist and writer, unblocking creative blocks, and aligning with your most authentic writing.
Meanwhile you're welcome to join the writing sessions that I'll start holding from Friday 6th September, 10AM CET! They are free and open to my readers.
Just add these session times to your calendar: https://calendarlink.com/event/collection/7b482088-1e06-4bd2-8189-6119e738d329
And join the whatsapp group for more announcements: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DwP3MSG9qHY8YlGz8whD5b
Such a wonderful and helpful piece 🙌
Thank you, Genevieve!
I m interested !!!❤️🔥your writing truly resonates with me
All my writing - so far is mainly poetry and short prose arrive complete . The moment I think what I want to write it just goes
It’s almost like spirit won’t take any form of control or restriction. But writing keeps coming back as a possible way of expression for me. I’m exploring it arm. I got adhd ; or just let’s say intense life forced that seeks to descend!as my definition of it anyway- but I DO struggle with structure !so your course would be so welcome 🙏
Hi Maria, that's amazing - thank you so much for sharing and letting me know! I will keep my readers and subscribers updated via email about the coming course very soon!:) X
Discovered your Substack today with this post and I love it so much that I am saving it and even taking a printout! It’s so precious and so timely for where I am right now. Thank you so much!
Dear Karishma, this is the BIGGEST compliment. Thank you so much for reading and connecting, it means so much to me. 💕
My pleasure 🙌🏻
Thank you, this was a very inspiring read, that I'll have to give some time to land in my system...
Thank you for reading, Ronald!
It’s a synchronicity that I’ve run into this. I’ve been reckoning with how much fear has driven my decisions lately— especially with my writing.
I’ll give this one anecdote that shows how spot on your observations are: I’ve clamored to write since before I could remember. According to my mom, I would spend days inventing stories to her. But then the fear set in. When I started a blog, I wrote about others. When it came time for a career, I became a journalist. Everything I’ve ever written that dares to open me up to the world is sitting in a drawer. To be clear, I love my job and the value my work brings to my community, to democracy. Both things can be true. But it’s the first thing I’m reckoning with.
Very interesting introspection, Alejandro! It's a beautiful how writing can hide us from the world, and how it can open us to the world! But even if we tell other's stories, as in journalism, there is a glimmer of ourselves in it. Thank you for reading and reflecting.
This is lovely Ruta. Your post reminds me of some fabulous prose poems be Ben Lerner: the voice; the stone; and on disliking poetry
And it’s very helpful at this point in time. I’ve been on Substack for a while as reader but keep feeling an impulse to step into a newsletter. Thank you for the encouragement.
Dear Terri, please start your substack! It's time 😌 Looking forwards to read your work! Thank you for your reflections, I will be checking out Lerner's work.
I enjoyed reading this, Ruta. I think it’s well written, and walks the talk such that the reader gets the message twice, first as message and second as transmission. There’s a combination of flow and discipline, structure and surprise, self and others. Bravo. 🙌
Jonathan! Thank you so much for your words, really means a lot as it comes from you. 🫶🏼