This has been an unexpectedly easy week for me.
The ease I’ve experienced doesn’t come from things being non-stressful or super-relaxing, the ease comes from feeling purposeful and directed. The copyedits have arrived for FRANCIE’S GOT A GUN, and I’m working my way through them. This is the last chance to make changes (small ones only, really), and then the book will be off on its own adventures. On Monday, I felt overwhelmed by the final-ness of this task: I want to get everything perfect! A kind voice in my head replied:
Your book is not going to be perfect, Carrie.
It can be moving without being perfect.
As it turns out, it can be funny without being perfect too. I’d forgotten how funny this book is. Allowing myself to let go of heavy, imaginary expectations allowed me to read and enjoy, and appreciate, more fully, the work already completed. This kind voice brought me ease.
I hope to hear this kind voice more and more often.
xo, Carrie
I can’t wait for your book, Carrie! Best wishes as you shepherd it along on this last leg.
And I totally know the feeling you describe of hearing that kind, wise, unexpected voice, and thinking, ‘oh, there you are!’
Thank you so much, Lindsay! It’s been a challenging and complicated path, and I’m thankful for each step along the way. I’ve learned so much.
Let’s keep nurturing these kind voices within ourselves, hey. They really do help to strengthen us from the inside out.