Writing this weekly blog has been very therapeutic for me – actually, writing in general! Expressing myself, helping others, and sharing my story to (hopefully) inspire others has brought me great joy! When I started my writing journey, I had no idea what would lie ahead.
I wrote Empowering our Future because I was passionate about our youth having these strategies to improve and enhance their mental well-being. My intention was to help alleviate the struggles that parents and teachers were facing regarding ways to help kids increase self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-love and teach them techniques that children can use to understand and process emotions. After years of teaching these to children and witnessing how helpful they were, I needed to share them with others! I really just wanted to help. I’ve definitely become a children’s mental health advocate!
Now, with my monthly newsletter, weekly blog posts, YouTube channel, podcasts, and classes, my passion for writing has definitely evolved into much more! The only reason that this is important is because it gives me a larger platform that allows me the opportunity to teach more people! I have had the opportunity to write more, meet interesting people, and be part of a community that has been so supportive and welcoming - the writing community! I’m so grateful for the life I have created, for the ability to stay home, and the opportunity to make this a full-time career. Following your heart and passion while you’re serving others will open many doors! And of course, it requires a LOT of hard work!
My writing journey started as a healing journey. I was experiencing a lot of stress and health problems when I discovered the book that changed my direction. The Artists Way, by Julia Cameron, is a 12-week program to recover and discover your creative self. It involves morning pages, artist dates, walks, and writing exercises. The morning pages are what initiated my love of writing. I’m a firm believer in creativity to relieve stress. This may include cooking, gardening, painting, dancing, music - really anything that allows us to express ourselves. This is a great way to release emotions that no longer serve us! Put those thoughts and feelings on the canvas, page, or whatever your medium is!
In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons people don’t indulge in being creative is because they think they’re not good enough. I hear comments like, “I’m an athlete, not an artist. I can’t even draw a stick man!” That damn perfection monster again! It’s not about being the next Van Gogh or Mozart; it’s about being able to express ourselves creatively! I’m definitely not a technical, structurally sound writer, but I do have a message, the knowledge, and the experience in my genre of writing, and I knew it had to get out there! We all have a message inside us, and being creative may help you discover yours!
If you’re interested in writing or maybe thinking about it, I suggest starting with morning pages (3 handwritten pages) or journaling. Nobody will ever see it, and you can see how it feels. Just start with writing down how your feeling, your dreams, a bucket list, things you’re grateful for, or stuff that has to get done that day. I find that when I get those details out of my head and onto the page first thing in the morning, it allows me to remain more present throughout the day and focus on the task at hand! I definitely experience fewer worries throughout the day!
And if writing isn’t your thing, then try something else! Try taking a painting, dancing, or cooking class! See what lights you up! You’ll know immediately because you'll feel so much lighter and happy afterward! I really hope that all of you find a creative outlet - it may change your life as it did mine! It really is a form of therapy!
Until next time…express yourself!!