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Irene Kigais's avatar

While I truly appreciate the “Relationship‘s”topic for Week-2 , I decided not to share the poem that I wrote and will keep to myself as it is very personal.

Also while reading the helpful prompts for this weeks challenge, I discovered that I also love to Walk & Talk and yes I’m also guilty of talking negatively to myself. I did this only last week and I want to be honest and share with you guys why. After writing my poem for Week -1 and posting it, I started doubting myself because I noticed that Graham liked just about all the comments and poems before and after mine and ignored mine. Straight away I started the negative talk to myself and a wave of self-doubt washed over me as I thought my poem was terrible. I found myself on the brink of deleting my work, convinced that the absence of a 'like' from the author meant my poem was inadequate. However, I chose not to delete it, and I’m so glad I didn’t. The beautiful comments and encouragement from fellow participants truly warmed my heart. Their support reminded me that writing is not just about gaining approval but about connection and shared experience.

It was a sobering reminder of how easily we can let external validation dictate our self-worth.

In that moment, I realized how crucial it is to believe in ourselves, to trust our creative instincts, and to remember that our value doesn't hinge on the approval of others. We must nurture our own confidence and not seek affirmation and validation from the world around us. Every piece we create is a reflection of our unique voice and experiences, and it's essential to honor that regardless of the feedback we receive. I know that at the moment I’m not the best writer as my thoughts are scattered across , I have been writing down way too many notes in my journal and my poems sometimes don’t make sense but I’m willing to work hard and hopefully by the end of this week 4 challenge , I will improve my writing skills , I’m very grateful that Graham is doing this challenge, it will help us all greatly with our writing ✍️

I thought I would share this in case anyone else feels the same way and I just wanted to add how proud I am of everyone. You are all smashing this challenge, I enjoy reading all the poems. I love this little community we have created here on Substack.🙏💜🌟

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Dia Utterback's avatar

My Walk & Talk With Me, Myself & I

My walk and talk between me and myself

Spurred several subjects resting on the shelf

My chatty noisy inner voice

Asked about my significant life choices

Were they made out of fear

Or a need to persevere

She asked me why so much doubt

The confident mature me wasn’t ready to sprout

Why do you feel such lack of worth

It’s a generational thing in my world and earth

Ah, now I understand your need to control

It’s the quiet calm that’s required for my soul.

You really ought to stop feeling diminished

And know that you’re unconditionally cherished.

Little Dia, you will be fine

Just keeping searching and you will see the sign.

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