The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Exposing the Lies

Years ago, I convinced myself I didn’t have enough words or thoughts to write a blog post every day. I allowed myself to post 3 times a week, and called that good. But over time, even the thrice-weekly posts dwindled and died.

As I resurrect the daily posts, I realize I was basically writing my blog posts on Facebook and calling them daily gratitude posts (deja vu, anyone?). Cutting my Facebook time down to almost zero made me realize I had the words and the thoughts. What I’d lacked was both confidence and focus. I’d been telling myself I needed to write for my audience, when the response to those daily gratitude posts made me realize I needed to write for myself, and I’d attract the audience with whom it resonated.

As the response to rebooting my blog grows, I am taking that lesson to nd doing what I did on Facebook for almost 4 years; writing from my heart. The silly thing is, that’s what I kept telling others to do, but wasn’t observing that advice anywhere but social media!

Writing From My Heart Again

I’m re-learning writing from my heart makes the words flow almost effortlessly. I’m often starting the next day’s post hours before it’ll go live because a thought occurs to me, and won’t be ignored until I get the beginnings of it on screen. After writing a daily gratitude post for the better part of 4 years, I’ve learned it doesn’t matter how silly or trivial my thoughts might seem to me (and I’m my worst critic, after all), there is often a germ of an idea encased in my ramblings which might touch someone exactly where they need to be touched.

Though I’ll still edit my posts a  little, I’ve learned to allow the words to flow freely without engaging the nasty, picky, hyper-critical internal editor who wants to cut out the heart of my writing leaving nothing but bare bones which have been picked clean by its vulturous jaws. What attracts people to mine, or anyone else’s writing is the raw, unabridged emotions encased in the meandering prose. Who am I to deny the often blatant authenticity which hits the page on the first pass? Who am I to allow the internal editor to put their clinically severe, double-gloved hands on the child within who seeks only to be heard?

Forging My Own, Unique Path of Feelings

This will never be the clean, professional-looking blog which frequents the internet, nor will I try to sell you anything except maybe your own right to be heard without judgement or criticism. I’m leading by example, and kicking those lies to the curb; eschewing the tight, impossible societal rules we’ve all been spoon fed which dictate fitting in, and mummifying feelings. Instead, I’ll share my own hopes, dreams, frustrations, and challenges in hopes you’ll find at least one space where you feel safe sharing your own.

I only hope less people spend the first half of their lives believing they’re supposed to turn their feelings on and off like a faucet. The words “you shouldn’t feel that way” should be stricken from our vocabulary forevermore. Feel what you feel, and emote like crazy. The world doesn’t need more tightly clenched fists. It needs more open hearts!

Grateful for Exposing My Lies

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for finally learning feelings are a good thing, not something to be stuffed down inside.
2. I’m grateful for making the decision to move my gratitudes back to my blog where I can ramble on as long as I see fit, or as briefly as I need to.
3. I’m grateful for encouragement from friends to keep writing, even if I change the platform yet again.
4. I’m grateful for the ability to allow the words to simply flow once I turn off the inner critic and allow myself to simply be who I am, and say what I feel.
5. I’m grateful for clear, bright, sunny days, and time to sit in the sun with my garage cats if I choose.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.