There are about 5 days left in my 30 day writing challenge and I gotta say, I’m relieved.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been enjoying flexing my creative writing and critical thinking muscles and once the challenge is over, I definitely have plans to keep writing (albeit not every damn day). The past 26 days have been a very healing deep dive into my psyche. And being vulnerable and interacting with readers has shown me that I'm not alone in my feelings.
More than anything, this challenge has been a test of my endurance, proof of my ability to persevere. Getting up everyday and dedicating time to myself and to introspection has required discipline, yes, but also some self determination.
In the days leading up to my 30-day journaling challenge and honestly even during, I've had to hype myself up. Each time I put pen to paper, I had to convince myself that I could do what I was setting out to do. That this challenge was a good idea. That it would help others as well as helping myself. That my words and my story were good enough. That I could do something creative and cool and impactful.
"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this" has become my mantra.
My work is my affirmation. It taught me what I can do, which is whatever I put my mind to.
A little over 10 days ago I wrote about struggling with affirmations and I asserted my intention to try to speak life into myself and my goals. I'm still not doing great, haha! Standing in the mirror and repeating positive words is still not part of my daily routine. But every day that I'm putting pen to paper, every time I open my laptop, every time I hit publish, I whisper "I can do this" and then it gets done. And it gives me energy and encouragement to do more.
My work is my affirmation. It taught me what I can do, which is whatever I put my mind to.
I can do this, whatever “this” is. Whether it's running a mile or overcoming my depression or completing a writing challenge. I can do this. I can do anything.
This entry was written under the prompt AFFIRM, Day 26 of the Finding the Right Words 30-Day Journaling Challenge. Follow along using the graphic above and write about whatever comes to mind with the corresponding prompt. Share with me using the tag #FTRW or email me at joliedoggett [at] substack.com.
There’s no wrong way to journal. You just gotta find the right words. Happy Writing!