For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December.
Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #31:
Slice of Life Mash Up:
Showing Up
Slice of Life Mash Up:
Showing Up
For the month of December I wrote and posted a daily Haiku. I am incredibly grateful for my friend and fellow Blogger, Glenda, who joined me in this daily challenge. I encourage you to read her thoughtful and smart Haiku and reflections (like this one).
Throughout this month as I worked on this challenge, a bit of panic set in. I found that I perseverated on these questions: What would I write about? Who would read it? Who would care about what I wrote? Would I get judged about what I wrote about?
Often my thoughts occupied far more space than the time it took me to actually write and post.
Most days, as I reached close to the end of the day, I reminded myself that I set this personal goal and needed to follow up. After a little personal pep talk, I set myself a timer of 15 minutes. Just show up Trina, I reminded myself. Then I wrote. I published. I didn't look back.
Interestingly enough, I find that this process - worrying more about the action than actually completing the action- often describes me in life, not just as a writer. I worry more about the act of doing something than actually doing it. This just slows me down and can be unhealthy.
Friends, I realize that I mostly need to focus on showing up as my best self, no matter the situation.
In the end, I celebrate that I showed up as a writer for the month of December. For now, this is enough for me.
Throughout this month as I worked on this challenge, a bit of panic set in. I found that I perseverated on these questions: What would I write about? Who would read it? Who would care about what I wrote? Would I get judged about what I wrote about?
Often my thoughts occupied far more space than the time it took me to actually write and post.
Most days, as I reached close to the end of the day, I reminded myself that I set this personal goal and needed to follow up. After a little personal pep talk, I set myself a timer of 15 minutes. Just show up Trina, I reminded myself. Then I wrote. I published. I didn't look back.
Interestingly enough, I find that this process - worrying more about the action than actually completing the action- often describes me in life, not just as a writer. I worry more about the act of doing something than actually doing it. This just slows me down and can be unhealthy.
Friends, I realize that I mostly need to focus on showing up as my best self, no matter the situation.
In the end, I celebrate that I showed up as a writer for the month of December. For now, this is enough for me.
Who will read? Who will/
judge? Anxiety hinders/
action. Just show up.
Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community? Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome!
Keep showing up! Celebrating writing and showing up with you!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Writing every day during a month is cause to celebrate, but writing a haiku every day during December is a huge accomplishement. Happy dance, my friend! Sorry I've missed reading most of them. I love your idea of setting the timer for 15 minutes and just doing it.
ReplyDeleteGoing into the Haiku-a-Day challenge I expected readership to be low, so I knew I had to approach the task as though writing a journal and not worry about the stats. I did, however, ask the questions you pose in your haiku. I also thought about what to write about and found myself jotting notes throughout the day. I now have haiku I didn’t publish; most of those are political. That said, I do struggle w/ coming to grips w/ the silence implied in the absence of comments, but often someone will reach out privately and remind me they’re reading. I just keep telling myself I have no right to expect anything of others when it comes to whether or not someone responds to my posts.
ReplyDeleteAnxiety hinders action - truth. The thinking always takes me longer than the writing. I once read that a person staring off into space is a writer at work - truth again (for me, anyway!). Write to please YOU.
ReplyDelete