First Wednesday of the month is IWSG – posts dedicated to inspiring and supporting writers. This month’s topic:
Let it be.
Words of advice to you, fellow IWSGers.
Just let it be.
I believe the Beatles said it first, but I’m taking their cue. Life is hard. Things are difficult. Sometimes they can downright suck. But this journey will be over in a blink of an eye and at the end, insignificant things like endless traffic and car troubles won’t mean a thing. That’s why we have to take a breath, focus on all the good in our lives and for the rest—just let it be.
I say this because I’m currently overwhelmed. I’m panicked and terrified that I’ll reach the end of my life having never accomplished my goal. And it’s not to be rich and it’s not to own some great estate or even pop out a litter of kids. I just want to write. If I could make enough money, just barely enough to jot down all the stories in my head, to explore the dialogues and moments constantly creeping in, I wouldn’t mind living in near poverty for the rest of my life. If it means I can write all day. But the fear that it’s never going to happen overwhelms me and at times I feel like I can’t breathe. I feel helpless and like I’m starring down this impossible feat. Nobody else can face it. It’s all on me, all on my shoulders and I just know I’m going to die before I make it through.
But I need to let it be.
Because it’s all going to be alright.
And that’s my advice to you this month: carve out the beauty and happiness in your life. Focus on that. Believe in yourself, believe in your dream, your talent, your passion. You have it for a reason. Trust that the universe knows what it’s doing and rise to the challenge it’s given you. Everything will be alright. And if it’s ugly or scary or bringing you down, just let it be. It’s not worth your time. You don’t need to concern yourself with it because it’s not doing anything for you. So let it be.
And of course, keep writing!
If you’re interested in joining the IWSG blog hop and finding inspiration from other aspiring writers, check this out.
*Last big thing! Interested in submitting a Paranormal, Horror, Sci-Fi or Fantasy short story? Check out Joleene Naylor’s website here for more information about Ink Slinger League’s fiction anthology currently accepting submissions. *
What a wonderful post, NE! I know those feelings of being overwhelmed ~ and panicked and terrified that I won’t meet my lifelong writing goals. Sometimes they wake me up in the middle of the night. But you’re so right ~ It is going to be alright! I finally have the time to write, and I have my husband, family, and friends cheering me on. I’m loving the journey. I’ll get there! You will too!
Thank you! I think it will be alright. For me, for you, for everyone. We just have to remind ourselves of it. Good luck!
Though I don’t have the Beatles song memorized, I did bust out singing “Let It Go” from Frozen (forgive me, I have a 4yo daughter). Okay, maybe not the same point (perhaps a bit, with the self-acceptance portion).
It’s great that you’re taking active measures to let it be. That tattoo is a good reminder to embrace life as it happens, and not worry about the things you can’t change.
Let it Go is another good saying 🙂 Oh Elsa…. and thanks. Tattoo was definitely a spur of the moment thing. But I’m so happy I did it!
I keep hearing the song ‘Let it Be’ in my head now. But those are great words to live by. Good luck!
It’s a good song to have in your head! Thanks and good lucky to you too!
Good advice. Let it be. Like you, I sometimes wonder if I’ll get everything done I want to do in this life. Then I remind myself that some things are out of my control. So, let it be. Do what I can. It’s a lot less stressful that way. Best of luck to you.
Great post and great advice – I think a lot of us are so control obsessed (I mean, we control whole *universes*!) that letting go can be hard 😉
Let It Be was our leaver’s song at school, when I was 16. Even just the opening bars bring tears to my eyes. The best thing about writing is there’s no restriction – you can write whenever, and for however long, and at whatever age… Keep writing and eventually you’ll find success – it’s the law of averages 🙂