This speaks to me. I can replace "write" with photograph. Photography is my passion but I felt a shift when I started getting paid for it. Creating something that someone else wants to their specifications altered my sense of creative freedom. I am finding ways to work through it and keep my personal photography for me. On my last trip to Italy I made time for my passion and a promise to myself to complete my edits and share with my friends and family when I returned. I felt like I was honoring myself for a change. Thank you for sharing your wisdom - I know it has helped me.
Thank you for sharing this vulnerable letter. This resonated with me on so many levels. Rediscovering your passion comes so much easier when you take a step back and see the bigger picture. This is something I've been processing in my life lately. I work in media, so I made writing my job. But as a result, I have routinely neglected the parts of my heart and soul that yearn to write about things that matter to me outside of that work. I've been pouring myself into that part of my life so much, TOO much, that I come up empty when it's time to write for me, just me. Journaling -- something that typically feels therapeutic and relieving for me -- no longer felt like an escape. It started to feel like a second job because I took "me" out of the process, as you perfectly put it; I set faulty expectations for how I "have" to show up even in my vulnerable moments, which is nonsense. I was unnecessarily hard on myself for not picking up the pen for so long. Now I'm journaling again and it feels good to just show up naturally and not think too hard about where it's going to go or what I will gain from it, just simply letting the thoughts flow. It's a daily challenge but I'm working on relieving this unnecessary pressure I put on myself to constantly perform and be a "full cup" all of the time, and I'm exploring ways to channel this desire to express myself in an authentic way. In reality, every day looks different, and I'm a human being. Newsletters like yours help remind us all we're not alone in these moments of reflection.
Thank you so much for being here and for sharing your journey!! I love the "relieving this unnecessary pressure" and "every day looks different". SO MUCH YES.
Not easy at all. The pressure also kills creativity. "Definitely some messages that I would do differently now" resonates. I think that's just part of growth–at least that's how I choose to see it.
I'm glad you found your mojo again Sara. I am also a writer, a screenwriter and poet. I got stuck in a pattern of procrastination a while ago, because I was writing a novella about a personal experience that was difficult. I put the book on the shelf for a while, and I'm writing a screenplay for my new film now that feels right. Have you heard of Human Design? It's a really interesting system based on astrology, numerology, and kabbalah. You can Google human design calculator, put you exact date of birth and time of birth in, and it calculates your human design. I am a generator, and that means I am happy at work when I respond to things that feel right for me in my gut. About 70% of people are generators, you might be one yourself. If you calculate your human design, it gives you advice about how to live your life purpose. For me, it's about waiting to respond to something that feels right for me in my gut. That's how I write now and I never get frustrated, I wait for something that lights me up. - Ed
That's so cool! Thanks for sharing – I have heard of Human Design but haven't done it yet! I for sure need something to evoke my creativity for it to feel meaningful!
Dr. Carl Jung said this about astrology: " I must say that I very often found that the astrological data elucidated certain points which I otherwise would have been unable to understand. From such experiences, I formed the opinion that astrology is of particular interest to the psychologist.”
I really enjoy listening to your wise posts Sara, your Instagram profile is amazing, and I'm going to buy your book when I finish the one I'm reading. Keep up your amazing work. :)
While reading this, I thought "wow, I would never want her to feel obligated!". Maybe this is a reminder - for me - that often it's not about what other people actually want from us, but about what we think they want and what we impose ourselves to do.
I always love to read you! Whatever it is the subject <3
Awe, this was such a sweet and thoughtful message!! Thank you! Yes, the obligation and pressure was self-imposed for sure. I love this community and am grateful for each person <3 Excited to be more playful and creative on here!
I really like the newsletter you wrote, it means a lot to me at this moment. I also want to praise your book "It's on me" which is very well written with lots of practical skills and advice from my own experiences.
This speaks to me. I can replace "write" with photograph. Photography is my passion but I felt a shift when I started getting paid for it. Creating something that someone else wants to their specifications altered my sense of creative freedom. I am finding ways to work through it and keep my personal photography for me. On my last trip to Italy I made time for my passion and a promise to myself to complete my edits and share with my friends and family when I returned. I felt like I was honoring myself for a change. Thank you for sharing your wisdom - I know it has helped me.
LOVE THIS. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
Thank you for sharing this vulnerable letter. This resonated with me on so many levels. Rediscovering your passion comes so much easier when you take a step back and see the bigger picture. This is something I've been processing in my life lately. I work in media, so I made writing my job. But as a result, I have routinely neglected the parts of my heart and soul that yearn to write about things that matter to me outside of that work. I've been pouring myself into that part of my life so much, TOO much, that I come up empty when it's time to write for me, just me. Journaling -- something that typically feels therapeutic and relieving for me -- no longer felt like an escape. It started to feel like a second job because I took "me" out of the process, as you perfectly put it; I set faulty expectations for how I "have" to show up even in my vulnerable moments, which is nonsense. I was unnecessarily hard on myself for not picking up the pen for so long. Now I'm journaling again and it feels good to just show up naturally and not think too hard about where it's going to go or what I will gain from it, just simply letting the thoughts flow. It's a daily challenge but I'm working on relieving this unnecessary pressure I put on myself to constantly perform and be a "full cup" all of the time, and I'm exploring ways to channel this desire to express myself in an authentic way. In reality, every day looks different, and I'm a human being. Newsletters like yours help remind us all we're not alone in these moments of reflection.
Thank you so much for being here and for sharing your journey!! I love the "relieving this unnecessary pressure" and "every day looks different". SO MUCH YES.
Experiment.
Hi Sara
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I am a CEO of an international company.
I record a monthly message from the CEO to the worldwide staff.
And YES, I know exactly what you mean by "a lack of authentic expression" and the pressure of writing something "profound".
It is not always easy and there were definitely some messages that I would do differently now.
Not easy at all. The pressure also kills creativity. "Definitely some messages that I would do differently now" resonates. I think that's just part of growth–at least that's how I choose to see it.
I'm glad you found your mojo again Sara. I am also a writer, a screenwriter and poet. I got stuck in a pattern of procrastination a while ago, because I was writing a novella about a personal experience that was difficult. I put the book on the shelf for a while, and I'm writing a screenplay for my new film now that feels right. Have you heard of Human Design? It's a really interesting system based on astrology, numerology, and kabbalah. You can Google human design calculator, put you exact date of birth and time of birth in, and it calculates your human design. I am a generator, and that means I am happy at work when I respond to things that feel right for me in my gut. About 70% of people are generators, you might be one yourself. If you calculate your human design, it gives you advice about how to live your life purpose. For me, it's about waiting to respond to something that feels right for me in my gut. That's how I write now and I never get frustrated, I wait for something that lights me up. - Ed
That's so cool! Thanks for sharing – I have heard of Human Design but haven't done it yet! I for sure need something to evoke my creativity for it to feel meaningful!
Here's the Human Design link Sara, you just punch in your date of birth and the exact time of birth if you know it:https://www.myhumandesign.com/get-your-chart/
Dr. Carl Jung said this about astrology: " I must say that I very often found that the astrological data elucidated certain points which I otherwise would have been unable to understand. From such experiences, I formed the opinion that astrology is of particular interest to the psychologist.”
I really enjoy listening to your wise posts Sara, your Instagram profile is amazing, and I'm going to buy your book when I finish the one I'm reading. Keep up your amazing work. :)
Kind regards,
Ed Kennedy
While reading this, I thought "wow, I would never want her to feel obligated!". Maybe this is a reminder - for me - that often it's not about what other people actually want from us, but about what we think they want and what we impose ourselves to do.
I always love to read you! Whatever it is the subject <3
Awe, this was such a sweet and thoughtful message!! Thank you! Yes, the obligation and pressure was self-imposed for sure. I love this community and am grateful for each person <3 Excited to be more playful and creative on here!
Thank you 🥹
Move forward with passion and. Commitment. Crete the conditions for passion. Yes! Welcome back. Stay!
Happy to be back! <3
I'm in this bind right now! I want to write but feel like I have to, and my brain isn't too fond of "have to", so I don't 😑
I hear you!! I hope finding your 'freedom' and a way to authentically express yourself can help!
Dear Sara,
I really like the newsletter you wrote, it means a lot to me at this moment. I also want to praise your book "It's on me" which is very well written with lots of practical skills and advice from my own experiences.
Many greetings from Serbia,
Stefan Lazic
❤️❤️❤️