It's my firm belief that an abundant writing life starts within — that mindset is the mount upon which we make our magic and that true creative success and fulfillment hinge upon the time and energy we're willing to devote to healing internal pains.
This isn't a radical belief by any means. You might know the old saying that's often attributed to Henry Ford:
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't — you're right."
In Issue #2, I asked you to explore the self-limiting beliefs that hold you back from leading the truer, more beautiful vision you have for your writing life. Combined, these beliefs comprise your creative mindset — and cultivating a healthy creative mindset is key to creative wellness.
But how do we begin this work? How do we rewrite old narratives and transform deep-seated limiting beliefs into unshakable assurance?
The solution is simple: we must take charge of our own stories.
With gentleness and compassion, we must acknowledge the old narratives we've carried around. Then, with firm conviction, we must tell ourselves new stories that center the empowering beliefs we long to embody — over and over and over again until fiction becomes reality.
Am I telling you to fake it 'til you make it?
Yes — and no.
Too often, we think of the world through the lens of dichotomy. You're either confident or you're not. Successful or you're not. But life is far more nuanced than black and white, and it is always — always — an act of becoming.
You're not faking it if you put on a brave face; you're being brave.
You're not faking it if you tell yourself that you are capable; you're developing that capability.
Sure, you might not achieve what you want to achieve right away — but that doesn't mean that you aren't capable of achieving it in time. With patience and persistence, there is very little within reason that you cannot accomplish.
Speaking of reason, when you rewrite old narratives, you must talk sense to yourself. Good fiction always centers a powerful truth. So when you tell yourself a new story, you must know in your head what you don't yet believe in your heart.
With truth in mind, you won't be faking anything when you begin to act on your new belief. You won't be an imposter. You'll be becoming. You'll be engaging in the powerful and all-important work of aligning heart and mind.
If you want to tell yourself a new story that you're not entirely sure is true, then go seek evidence. If you want to believe that you're capable of earning a living with your writing, then go look at all the authors who already do.
You aren't different. You aren't special.
You're human, just like the rest of us.
And we all walk through life wondering, at least for a good measure of time, whether we're taking up space in a way that we're not entitled to — whether others might one day realize that we're "faking it" each and every day we show up.
Don't believe me? Consider this excerpt from a blog post by Neil Gaiman, one of the world's most renowned authors of speculative fiction:
"Some years ago, I was lucky enough [to be] invited to a gathering of great and good people: artists and scientists, writers and discoverers of things. And I felt that at any moment they would realise that I didn’t qualify to be there, among these people who had really done things.
On my second or third night there, I was standing at the back of the hall, while a musical entertainment happened, and I started talking to a very nice, polite, elderly gentleman about several things, including our shared first name. And then he pointed to the hall of people, and said words to the effect of, 'I just look at all these people, and I think, what the heck am I doing here? They’ve made amazing things. I just went where I was sent.'
And I said, 'Yes. But you were the first man on the moon. I think that counts for something.'
And I felt a bit better. Because if Neil Armstrong felt like an imposter, maybe everyone did. Maybe there weren’t any grown-ups, only people who had worked hard and also got lucky and were slightly out of their depth, all of us doing the best job we could, which is all we can really hope for."
If you've read my self-development book for writers, Build Your Best Writing Life, then today's prompt will come as no surprise. If you want to heal from old pains and destructive stories, then my advice remains the same. We must ask ourselves:
What new beliefs will I strive to adopt in place of those that limit me?
In Build Your Best Writing Life, I call these new beliefs 'affirmations' because they affirm the new stories we're working to adopt. But if this term doesn't sit right with you, that's perfectly fine. Call it a mantra, a personal pep talk, an attitude — whatever term feels good and right to you.
If you're unsure what your new beliefs might look like, then consider these affirmations that re-write the self-limiting stories I shared in Issue #2:
I'm as good a writer as I work toward being. There's no limit to how much I can develop my creative skillset given time and effort.
Creating something out of nothing can be difficult, but I am capable of completing difficult creative work.
Serious writers are those who know that all progress is good progress, no matter how big or small. Serious writers consistently show up for their art.
My stories aren't silly; they provide the right readers with some much needed joy and escape, and those readers are eagerly awaiting my work.
'Good enough' is an entirely subjective measure. My stories are worthy because I find value in writing them, and no one is an island. There are a wealth of readers waiting for stories just like mine.
With patience and perseverance, I am capable of making a living as an author.
The pain I've experienced in the past is part of my story. If I have lived it, then I can write about. More importantly, I can also write about healing.
After defining the new beliefs you want to adopt, make a point of regularly repeating them throughout your day.
This practice can look however you'd like. Write your affirmations in your journal. Speak them aloud in front of the mirror. Say them in prayer, or mentally remind yourself of them each time you catch yourself ruminating on limiting thoughts.
The choice is up to you, writer.
In any case, be patient with this process. Old beliefs and stories will crop up all the time because, in many cases, we've spent years and years believing them. You aren't going to rewrite these narratives over night, and that's okay.
Keep showing up for yourself regardless. Keep telling yourself these new stories. You are capable. It is possible. You are magic.
I can't wait to see what you create, writer. 🌿
✍️ Author & Writing Mentor
🖥 www.well-storied.com
💌 kristen@well-storied.com
📸 @kristen_kieffer
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🌿 Creative Wellness Issue 3: A matter of becoming...