I'm so excited because I re-read my poetry manuscript the other day and I liked it. This is a huge for a couple reasons. First, I didn't write for pleasure for years, so the fact that I have a manuscript is amazing. Now, when I want to write I usually do. Imagine that! And second, because the overall process has been light and playful, something I never thought possible. 

I credit the foundation for this shift to one main thing: I started to actually like myself (which is probably why I like my manuscript). My baseline shifted from generally treating myself critically or with hostility to treating myself more and more with genuine care, trust, and friendliness. 

I think this discussion is missing from a lot of the writing/art/creativity books and classes. 

But it can be really helpful and feel so good to name why all the strategies and tools just don't seem to ever last or why setting your alarm a little earlier to make time for your writing isn't the key to everything. It's like you finally know what you're dealing with, which is where we must get to before we can really begin. 

I love the poem “Distant Regard” by Tony Hoagland. It's about finding that place of self-friendliness, and it's from his final collection that he wrote shortly before he died, Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God. (His book titles are all amazing.) 

Yes to the idea of forgiving ourselves "like water, flowing around obstacles and second thoughts."

What do you think? Do you struggle with self-friendliness or self-kindness and do you think it's directly connected to any angst/tension you have with your writing/art/creativity? I'd love to hear. 

Gratefully,
Brianna