If it’s not depressing for you, feel free to scroll to the cool story at the bottom.
For the rest of you, I feel you.
It’s not about being alone or even the hyperawareness of being alone. It’s the FOMO of another, better life. Any life that isn’t yours. Here’s the thing: if you continue looking outward, you will continue to want more.
When you see all those couples getting dressed up, going out, eating expensive meals, or basking in their flowers or jewelry on social media, remember this: it’s all an act.
We all pose to record a perfect moment, even if it’s anything but. We all go through the motions to make ourselves feel better, whether we should or not.
This year, let’s make a change. Instead of focusing outward on what other people are doing, let’s turn our love inward.
It’s just one day, after all.
Maybe buy yourself flowers or chocolate or a great big teddy bear. Whatever your little heart desires.
You can also treat yourself to 50% off my new courses.
Let’s make this holiday not about being with someone or being alone. Let’s make it about sharing love and encouragement with everyone.
This is to the best of my ability to recall, with a quick search on Google to make sure I wasn’t completely off base.
St. Valentine was in prison, probably the equivalent of death row, for crimes unknown (maybe marrying people, maybe spreading Christianity). He was housed in the dungeon. Whatever he had done was so bad they put this guy UNDER the jail.
The children that played on the streets would drop in letters of encouragement, which is where the tradition of valentine’s cards comes from. It could also be true that he was sending love notes from prison (from your Valentine), but from what I know of martyrs, I doubt that’s why he’s remembered.
Here’s my point:
What used to be about encouragement, even in the face of death, has become a lover’s play day. It’s not bad to celebrate Valentine’s day, and if anything, I think your loved ones should be celebrated more often, not less. This is not stomping on V day; this is a note of encouragement from me to you, whether you have a significant other or not: love yourself.
Take care of yourself. Treat yourself. Woo yourself. Whatever it means to you: Love yourself.
It’s time to launch the courses. Ready or not, here they come.
I need beta testers, and I’m offering a first-come-first-served offer to anyone willing to try them.
Here’s the skinny:
You get
PDF version of the course you’re taking.
follow along online or download a hard copy.
LIFETIME access to full course features.
access all three courses forever.
LIMITED TIME pricing structure.
receive over half-off every tier (starting at $44)
and
UP TO 3 one-on-one coaching sessions with yours truly
receive individualized guidance through the course of your choice
I really wanted to offer this for free, but I had to pay to access the platform features I needed to offer all the benefits I wanted to include.
If you need a payment plan, just CONTACT ME. If you want to help without paying, I’m willing to send you the PDF version of each course through email. You’ll need to email me or CONTACT ME and mention the blog post or the email for this offer.
KEEP READING for PRICING structures…
The three courses again are:
LIVING WRITE: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Creative Routine in One Month.
SKILL SCHOOL: Simple Tips for Better Writing this Week.
They listened to me (mostly), and I was not called a fraud. Here are my takeaways from the retreat:
I’m thankful (but we could all be more so) for the creative gift I have been given, and I will take on the responsibility of sharing it with the world.
I will toss fear and comparison to the curb because they do not serve me.
I will create space for my dreams and continue to dream the impossible
When we make space for creativity, creativity shows up for us. I’m living proof it’s true.
So whether you want to start a new writing routine or not, whether you consider yourself a creative or not, if you have a dream, it’s time to put it in front of your face and breathe life into it.
I’m so blessed I get to do what I love every day. Don’t you want to say the same?
If you’re thinking now is the time to start something, then CONTACT ME about beta testing my courses.
I have 3
LIVING WRITE is all about getting your routine under control. Whether you have some writing time or a lot of writing time, we will get you some space to create. Don’t think you’re exempt if you’re not a writer. Creative people of all stripes need a routine.
SKILL SCHOOL is grammar basics for writers. Even if you’re a seasoned writer, you may not know which rules you’re breaking (or how to do so with confidence). Beginner and Advanced writers welcome.
ENVISION is about creating a vision board and getting your dreams on paper. In order to create the life you love, you have to make space in some key areas. I help you eliminate the clutter and focus on the dream.
No matter how good I am, no matter how many awards I’ve won or accolades I’ve received. No matter how many times I’ve succeeded. I don’t feel I’ve earned a place at the table.
I still fear that no one will listen to me, that people will make fun of me, that I will be exposed as a fraud.
I’m glad I did the notebook challenge for 2 reasons:
I have a lot of notebook space.
I have a lot of story ideas and a better idea of how much development each of them needs.
If you haven’t joined my email list yet, now is a good time.
I’m making an exciting announcement there first. Head over to the WEBSITE and click the GET ACCESS tab. Enter your email and something about you, and you’re all set to receive news and exclusive offers, not to mention downloadable freebies.
The lights are up, the inflatables are out, and everywhere you look, it’s holly jolly time.
Nope, it’s not Thanksgiving yet, one of my favorite holidays that slips through the cracks more and more each year, it seems.
I wonder if we know what we’re racing toward, in such a hurry to get to the end of the year. I’m guilty of it too. My Christmas tree is not up yet, but I don’t wait until December to prepare for Christmas, and I find myself ready to bust into my 2023 planner when I still have a month of 2022.
I do not want to wish my time away, but the reasons are no mystery to me, or to you if you’ve ever struggled with seasonal, or any kind of, depression. It’s a hard time of year for me and for many others, but I have tried each year, to do something uplifting for myself and for you.
This year i’m doing something a little different. I’m taking a break. Not from everything (dad), but from the things I built to support myself. I think it’s always good to step back for a minute, judge what you’ve done so far and pause before heading back in.
I want to evaluate what I’ve done this year and what I want to do next year. So I’m saying cheers for the year.
I have the opportunity to take a break, and I’m taking it. I’ll be gone this month from this blog, Youtube, and, largely, social media.
I will be spending time alone and with family and friends.
I’m doing a self-care month to practice what I preach.
I’ve assigned myself 31 self-care activities to post about throughout the month. The biggest thing, the point, is to take care of myself so I can work as hard as I work throughout the year. It’s largely about rest and giving myself some creative space. I still have to get through another quarter before I’ll feel better.
That seems like a long time from now and it is in many ways. In others, it will be here in a flash. I’ve made it through one month maybe, but I still have a few dark ones to go.
This is hard.
It is hard to do the things and it is hard to accept that it is hard to do the things. It is hard to need help and that help comes from the people who drive you most nuts.
I have often talked about how hard this season is for me and for others I know, but I’ve never taken a break from the holidays like I have the opportunity to this year.
Don’t think I’ll leave you with nothing, though. I’ve written a lot about this time of year and the pillars of Advent.
There are four pillars of Advent: HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE. The fifth and final candle is the Christ candle, but I have maintained in all these posts that you don’t have to believe in baby Jesus or Santa Claus to enjoy, learn from, and gather strength from the pillars of Advent any time of year.
I hope your holidays are a time of rest and recovery for you, but know, if they’re not, this too shall pass. Happy Reading.
I’m still doing surprisingly well. For those of you who couldn’t make the live stream, Nina hit her goal early and I hit mine just after the stream ended.
Because of the lengthy stream time this month, I’ve decided to take a break from YouTube after Thanksgiving.
This means we’ll have LIVE@5 tonight (the 15th) and next week (the 22nd if possible) and then be done until 2023.
I’m very excited to share with you what I’ve been working on.
In 2023 I’ll be adding a new stream on Friday mornings, new courses online, and a new book out.
It’s going to be a great year.
As for the word count, I am almost to 40k, and I did manage my 10k-day last week. This week I’m taking it easy and reading a lot so I’m hoping for a 10k week instead.
If you have feedback for me or just want to say hi then head to linseyewing.com and contact me.
As predicted, I came through in the first part of the month. My current word count is: 19,773
Almost halfway done, and we’re less than 10 days in. Feels pretty good.
But,
I always feel the same way this time of year.
Like,
Maybe it won’t happen? Maybe I won’t crash and burn this year like I did the year before and the year before that. Maybe just maybe, I’ll be better this year.
lil ole me
I feel that way now, and I have no reason to believe I won’t go on feeling fine. Except for the promise that is the past. I have not felt fine every year from daylight savings time to my birthday (in March). This year should be no different.
It’s a long time to feel bad, and I can tell you it’s not fun. If I go dark this winter, know I am taking care of myself.
I thought I’d share some of the things that have helped me.
If this is a dark time of year for you, know first that you are not alone. If the holly jolly stuff seems foreign this year or every year, check out my posts from 2020 on the pillars of ADVENT: HOPE, LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.
Remember, if you need someone to talk to, I’m only a click away. Don’t be afraid to confide in your friends and family. They love you and want to help, even if they don’t know how.
Every year I plan a little something for myself to help me get through. This year I’m doing a self-care challenge in December. Follow me on Instagram if you’d like to join. @ewinglinsey.
If you want to support me but are unsure how I have a 1-question poll that you can access here.
Thank you for continuing to read and help my business grow.
Don’t forget I’m going to be LIVE on YouTube all day Saturday. Whether you’re writing, reading, cleaning the house, or whatever you’re doing, I’d love for you to join me!
litewings.ink 