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#WednesdayWisdom
"You are not lacking. You are more than what you can produce. More than the tasks you can check off the list. More than the hours you do or don't clock. Are you exhausting yourself trying to prove your worth even when you. are. not. lacking?" — Octavia Raheem
Morning Musings
Even though I don't *officially* return from maternity leave until next week, I've been using the month of January to ease back into things and spend time working on my book in earnest.
I'd made some headway before I tucked away my laptop back in October. I tapped out a few blurbs with one hand in my Notes app during late-night/early-morning feedings. But when I re-opened up my draft in Scrivener earlier this month I felt a sense of panic, dread and overwhelm.
How am I ever going to write this book? Where do I find the words? Do I even know that many words?, I thought. As a journalist, I've been trained to write concisely. Why say in 5,000 words what I can say in 500? That notion, however, doesn't work for books.
I tried outlining chapters in my trusty five-subject spiral-bound notebook (yes, like the kind we had in high school). Truth be told, longhand writing always helps me when I feel stuck. I've written my fair share of newsletters in that notebook as well. There's something less intimidating about college-ruled paper versus a blinking cursor on a blank Word document. I even contemplated purchasing a white board and mind mapping my vision for the book.
But at the end of the day, I just had to write. So last Friday I packed up my bag (which is quite the endeavor these days what will all my pumping parts and bottles) and headed to the local coffee shop. I joined Permission to Write's virtual coworking Power Hour (which I highly recommend if you're a writer of color) and stayed afterward to get my thoughts out.
I've always admired authors and 20,000 words into this draft, I have a newfound respect for anyone who writes a book. This sh*t is unbelievably hard. Dare I say, even harder than birthing a tiny human and recovering from a C-section.
Then I saw this tweet from TV writer and actress Caroline “Caro” Renard (via Eve L. Ewing's Instagram): "The only writing advice I’ll offer: just write it down, dude. Stop trying to make it perfect the first time. You can fix bad. You can’t fix nothing."
Someone also directed to me to an excerpt from Anne Lamont's Bird By Bird about "Sh*tty First Drafts." Okay, universe, I see you. So I got to writing.
When I returned home, I tweeted: "I put words on a page today. They may not have necessarily been ~good~ words, but they’re words nonetheless. And that counts for something. Progress > perfection. Says me, a recovering perfectionist."
So stop waiting for perfect, it'll never come. The perfect time. The perfect conditions. The perfect whatever. Get out of your own way and go do the damn thing. Remember, "You can fix bad. You can't fix nothing."
Love,
L'Oreal
I Want to Interview You
Thanks so much to everyone who's completed the book survey so far, I really appreciate it and I can't wait to dig into your answers! Trust Your Dopeness is all about overcoming impostor syndrome and conquering self-doubt. And I want to hear from you!
I want to hear it all--your stories, your anecdotes, your challenges and triumphs when it comes to self-doubt. If you're willing to speak with me, please fill out the short survey below. It should take about 5-10 minutes (depending on how deep you want to get) and I'd be eternally grateful. Thank you in advance!
"Pause, Rest, Be" Book Club
We're doing things a little differently for our winter book club. Next month, we'll be reading Pause, Rest, Be: Stillness Practices for Courage in Times of Change, the second book from my friend, mentor and yoga teacher Octavia Raheem.
We'll meet twice as a small group on Feb. 9 and Feb. 16 and then once as a larger group with the author herself on Feb. 26!
And this is no ordinary book club. I'll be leading you through a restorative yoga practice as well. So purchase your book, grab whatever makes you cozy and I'll meet you on the mat (or ya know, your sofa, bed--wherever you feel comfy!). All levels are welcome.
Links I Love
1. Gentle Parenting Is a Chance for Black Children, and Parents, To Thrive (Kindred)
2. An Ode to André Leon Talley (Werk-In-Progress)
3. You Do Not Always Have to Say Yes (I Have Notes)
My Latest Obsession
I'm listening to F*ck No! by Sarah Knight and if you, like me, identify as a people-pleaser, overachiever, pushover and/or someone who suffers from FOMO, then this book is for you.
Now Hiring
Producer, Today Explained for Vox
Communications Associate for Supermajority Education Fund
Marketing Assistant for BenBella Books
Marketing and Communications Manager for Comer Education Campus
Social Media Specialist for Chicago Humanities Festival
Vice President of Communications for the Shriver Center on Poverty Law
Creator Programs Manager, Black and Latino Creators for LinkedIn
Thank You!
Y'all really know how to make a girl feel special. Thank you for celebrating my fifth newsletter anniversary and sending ALL the coffee. Y'all are the real MVPs:
Shanea, Jess, Stephanie, Lara Ashley, Megan, Dequendre, Matt. L, Briea, Camesha, Monale, Jessica A., Erin, Leerner, Jenna, Lauren, Vanessa, ALison, Renae, Nicole, Katie, and a few anonymous contributors!
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