Self-doubt lives in all of us.
When I opened Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act to a random page, this was the sentence that jumped out at me.
It made me think of the moment just before someone’s about to read out loud during a Scribbling Circle. Self-doubt is lingering in the air as they take a breath and try to explain something before they read. (Which is why we have a ground rule about no chatting, no explaining, and no responding to what someone’s read.)
It’s a safe space for self-doubt to rear its head.
And for each of us to keep writing through it.
I remember how overwhelming it was when I started taking my photography seriously. I couldn’t think of myself as “good enough” to charge someone money. Or refer to my pictures as “my work.” (I still can’t quite refer to it as my work.)
So have I moved past that phase? Sort of…
I realized that the “real work” wasn’t actually taking the photos, it was plodding on despite my self-doubt. So I started by charging people a small amount for headshots. And I invoiced them a few shekels for photos I took for their websites and blogs.
Because the only way to break through is to do the thing. To let the voices inside your head be messy.
But also let your natural voice ring through.
And as Rick Rubin says, “Only you can. You’re the only one with your voice.”
So that’s what Scribbling Circles are about.
They’re a safe space for people to come together and write through the self-doubt to let their natural writing voice breakthrough. (Freewriting is the cheapest form of therapy around!)
Tomorrow, the first prompt will be about just that. And we’ll see where it goes from there.
Remember, the way to move past it is to let your writing guide you through it. Because all the wisdom you need is inside.
It’s up to you to give it a voice.
We’re holding a space for you.
Saturday, February 17th
4:30pm -6:30pm CT
👉🏼 Google Meet Link for Saturday 2/17
And would you let me know in the comments below if you’ve been struggling with it this week? Because the struggle is real. 👊🏼
Stay creative,
Jen
P.S. Self-doubt is probably the reason this email is going out to you so late! I’m always working through it just like you.
This post came right on time this morning. Loved your headshots story. So relatable. I have been struggling with self doubt this week. Everything I’m working on is completely new and requiring a lot of vulnerability. I’m finally publishing my writing after years of only letting a writing group see it and I’m starting a new business after years of being in a ‘safe’ corporate job. Needless to say I’m feeling exposed!
Your photos are beautiful, and I’ve been to that park with the swing in San Francisco! I feel like self-doubt is a big part of the writer’s process. Most of us have to work out how to let our pieces go in spite of it. I just hit send on a pitch this morning that I’ve agonized over for way too long. This post was a nice little push!