Anyone who knows me or has even peeked at my Instagram knows that I’m a big book nerd. I love reading all different genres, topics, word lengths, etc.
Basically, words are my life.
I learn quite a bit about myself and life from both fiction and nonfiction books. One book in particular has really been opening a lot of mental doors for me lately, if you will.
Light Is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell was so eye-opening to me for so many reasons, but especially because of the exercises peppered throughout the book.
One of the exercises asked you to write down five of your heroes and what characteristics they possess that inspire you so much. Another exercise asked what kind of books you have a lot of.
After reflecting on both of these exercises for a while, I realized something: I’m drawn to vulnerable, creative, smart ladies.
Memoirs are my current favorite books to read because I love learning about other people’s lives and stories, hearing about both their trials and tribulations, how they rise above and carry on. Lately I’ve read memoirs from Brene Brown and Tig Notaro, to name a few. While their lives may be different, the main thread of their stories remained the same. Being vulnerable and honest is the key to making connections and rising up from the ashes.
And I realized that over time, that’s basically been my vision for this space. I want to share my life, my story, my connections with other people. Being vulnerable and honest is a huge part of that, duh inner Jessica!
I subconsciously always knew what I wanted to do, but I was afraid to admit it. Now that I’ve opened up the floodgates of inspiration, I can’t stop.
Every day I try to write, take notes, journal, document my ideas in any way I can so I don’t lose the inspiration when it comes. And holy cow, the ideas have been flowing lately! It’s almost like I tapped into an endless stream of ideas that’s always been there but I kept ignoring for one reason or another. No longer!
I feel like I couldn’t turn back now even if I tried. I’ve unlocked a part of myself I’ve always been searching for, even if I didn’t consciously know it.
And I want to help other people feel the same way.
Stop hiding. Stop ignoring your inner voice. Start learning or rediscovering who you are now. Don’t let setbacks hold you back. Don’t let yourself hold you back.
I’ve learned that I was the only person holding me back from writing the things I wanted, reading the things I wanted, being who I really wanted.
As always, some days are easier than other to conquer my inner demons, but it gets a little bit easier every day.
