Finding My Voice - Writing Update, Month 2

I know it's only been 2 months of writing here, but it seems like it's been much longer. I feel like I've grown a lot in the past two months!

The hardest part by far, has been keeping my eye and my mind on the simplicity of the task: Just write.

Embracing My Own Journey

I few weeks ago, I stumbled across Jeff Goins 12 step process to becoming the writer of our dreams. I have no doubt that Jeff knows exactly what he's talking about. The man built an empire around learning to become a writer and then sharing that knowledge through his platform. He's brilliant and clearly passionate about what he does.

So I quickly downloaded his PDF that would lead me down the path of becoming a professional writer. I easily completed Step 1 - Clarify Your Message with a Worldview Statement. So I was anxious to go on to Step 2 - Pick Your Platform Personality. And you know what happened in Step 2? I got stuck. There were 5 personality traits to choose from and Jeff urges the reader to pick which one you are and fully commit to it in your writing.

The problem, however, is that I couldn't commit to just one. I didn't feel like that would be doing myself justice or following the plan God has for me. I had to take a couple of days to let it all sink in before I realized what I already know: Following someone else's step-by-step plan may not be the exact plan for me.

I so easily get caught up in quick fixes and easy step-by-steps. Most of this is what inspired my last blog post about trusting the process God is bringing you through. I see where I want to be. I want to write full time and I want to embrace all of the creativity God has given me.

And yet.

I must realize that following someone else's step by step plan may steal the joy of my own journey. If I don't go through this, if I don't trust that this path God is leading me down is being created for a reason, if I don't find a way to write and share photos in my own unique way, then I don't think I'll end up where I always dreamt I would be.

Embracing Creativity

A couple of things I've discovered in the past view months have drawn me out of my little box of seriousness (if you will) and changed the way I write.

I used to write more bullet-point type posts, and I do still have some topics I like to write that way, but I've discovered I enjoy writing more if I embrace some creativity and write from the heart instead of writing in a way that makes me sound like I'm teaching someone else.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that I most definitely do not have all the answers. If I could describe my writing style right now in month 2 of consistently posting every week, it would be this: Writing from my heart to share my experiences in a way that would be helpful to others.

I want to provide value to you, the reader. How does one share a message without providing value? However, I think over the past two months, my style of doing so has changed. It's more of a "Look, here I am. Here's what I'm going through and what I'm discovering. Be encouraged that you're not alone if you're going through this, too."

In changing my style a bit to fit this new mold, I think it's made me enjoy writing more. I'm less stressed about finding a topic, and feel more free to share my heart.

Positive Findings 

In the past month I've stumbled across some positive, encouraging resources that have spurred me on in the writing journey.

One thing I've started doing is keeping the TV off over my lunch hour and listening to podcasts instead. I've listened to a few different ones here and there. Some about personal growth and some strictly about writing. Either way, it seems like a more positive way to spend my lunch hour. Besides, daytime TV is the worst.

I've also discovered Ruth Chou Simons and her site, Gracelaced. My first thought when I came across her site was, Wow. This is beautiful. Clearly she's found her calling in life. Her artwork is gorgeous, and her blog is filled with life-giving words.

For example, in one of her posts she writes, "When we stop trying to say, 'Look at me! I'm the best!' we end up with the freedom to welcome, rather than chase... receive, rather than react... make for the joy of it, rather than to measure up."

So refreshing, right? And exactly what I needed to hear on this writing journey. It's not about me. It's about who God created me to be and what he wants me to do with this one precious, unique life he's given me.


At the end of month 2, I'm feeling a lot stronger about what my goals are and what my writing style looks like. As I go into the next month, I'm hopeful to continue to grow in writing and hopefully have a better understanding of where I want to take this blog when it comes to the next step.

Onward and upward!