Lately, I have been reflecting on how brave writers are, whether you share it publicly or not. But first, let me take you back with the story of when I first shared my poems with someone and posted them online.
The first time I purposely shared one of my poems with someone was in early 2018 while I was working at a Child Development Center in Okinawa, Japan. I used to carry sticky notes inside my work jacket in case a title for a poem came to mind or a short stanza. I was determined to stay prepared because inspiration comes when you least expect it. Some of my coworkers often asked me, "What are you writing on the sticky notes?" But I would never say "poems." I would respond with, "just random thoughts." Back then, it was difficult for me to voice my emotions without fearing judgment, so I confided myself to the pages, or sticky notes, as a way to express and sometimes escape.
One day, a new employee came to my room to relieve my assistant for lunch. I had never met him, so we introduced ourselves and found out that we were both creatives. He went on to tell me how he has a new clothing line and wants to dive deeper into his music career. I shared that I love to write poetry and wanted to publish a book one day. As soon as the words escaped my lips, he said, "Read me one of your poems," and of course, I didn't. I wasn't prepared to share with anyone because such vulnerable words forced their way through me at times when I didn't even see me, for me.
As the days went by, we would see each other as we walked in the hall, and he would say, "I'm waiting on that poem!" And so, one day, I decided to share a short poem from my journal. But the entire time he was reading, I was telling myself just how bad it probably was (and now I know just how brave I truly was by letting someone else read it), and every second felt like hours. When he was done reading, he asked, "Why are you hiding your poems from the world? You should open a page and share them online." But I had no answer, as I did not see my poems as "good enough" to share online. However, about two months later in August, I decided to be even more brave and created my poetry page “cloudedrhymes.” That was the very first time I decided to give my words the space to exist outside of me to become a safe space for anyone who may have been feeling the same way as I was; and yes, it was worth it.
As I continued to push myself into unknown territory, I found a beautiful community of writers and poets online who supported my work as their own. I never felt more lucky to have been welcomed by them during a time when I didn’t trust myself or my words enough to know the worth of both. Some of these poets no longer post on social media anymore, and I do miss them. Nevertheless, I hold space for who they were to me back then and how their support ignited the fire within me.
Memory Lane
Here are two pictures of my initial posts that I save as memories:
As a writer, your voice represents your passions and human experiences. It is distinct, powerful, and will forever reside within pages that may age but will always retain the wisdom of your existence.
Fast-forward to the present, I couldn't be happier to have taken a leap of faith and trusted my words enough to step into my purpose. This journey has not only allowed me to meet people who provided a space for my voice to be heard but also guided me when I needed it the most. Additionally, I've had the privilege of mentoring ten amazing emerging writers in just one year. I don't take this responsibility lightly, as I understand how challenging it can be to share our raw work with others, let alone allowing them to provide constructive feedback on how to strengthen it. I am deeply grateful for the trust my mentees place in me because I understand the journey and how crucial it is to have a supportive community that cheers you on and provides the necessary resources to bring you closer to your dreams.
Now, staying on the topic of mentorship, I'd like to give a shout-out to Katrina Rojas, a talented and beautiful soul who allowed me to assist her with her debut poetry collection, "When She Loves," which is now available for purchase. Thank you so much for entrusting me with your first book, and I can't wait for the world to experience it.
You will never discover what awaits you on the other side of fear until you take the leap. Keep believing in your dreams and embrace the challenges that will help you grow.
Affirmations for Writers
I trust in the unique power of my voice as a writer, knowing that my perspective is valuable.
I celebrate my own progress and growth, without comparing my writing to others.
I find inspiration in the words of other writers, expanding my knowledge and creativity through reading.
I give myself permission to make mistakes, knowing they are stepping stones to improvement."
I am open to constructive feedback, using it to refine and enhance my work.
I believe in the transformative power of my stories and the impact they can have on others.
I welcome challenges in my writing, recognizing they are opportunities for growth and learning.
Offering
As the new year approaches, I am in the process of creating new workshops and lesson plans for mentorship. If you are a writer, or if you know a writer who is seeking mentorship, please consider filling out this application for a free consultation to discuss your writing goals. I'm looking forward to connecting with you!
Thank you for this!! It’s so scary to share our writing. It inspires me to put myself out there more. I appreciate you. 🙏🏼