“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Joseph Campbell (Photo from iStock)
“I noticed you haven’t been blogging. Any reason?” emailed a writer friend a couple of weeks ago.
I had not posted on my blog in April, not one single time.
Yep, there was a reason. I contracted a terrible case of blog envy.
I’m not sure when it began, but in March I posted I wanted to write like author and entrepreneur Seth Godin.
Next, Tiffany Stuart’s blog, full of awe-inspiring photographs, heartfelt prose, and gratitude lists caught my attention.
A couple of months ago, I stumbled onto Heather Kopp’s blog, SoberBoots.
By the time I finished reading Heather’s first post, I wished my stumbling was the result of being a recovering alcoholic. I wanted to write like her.
And that’s not everyone.
In fact, if you’re a writer, I’ve likely envied your writing as well.
Needless to say, I got blogged down.
Instead of doing what made sense and following (instead of envying) their example, I hoped for a gift I don’t have – impersonation. I tried quoting scripture like Tiffany, rewrote this blog post several times to imitate Heather’s poignant style, and attempted to mimic Seth’s matter-of-fact writing.
I have six or seven completed posts, each one in someone else’s voice. You couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) pay me money to post any of them. They sound silly.
I was so focused on others’ talents for writing, I lost sight of my own.
Do you ever get like this? Please tell me you have, at least once.
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – Dear God, help me remember I want to learn from others, not be them.
Thanks, Kim. I needed this. I\’ve been blogged down lately too! I love your style, and I don\’t think you need to impersonate anybody else. Ever!
Awwwww. Thanks, Patty! I found out I make a lousy impersonator. Let\’s make a pact … we\’re getting unblogged right now and we\’ll never blog again. Lol. Okay, I meant never blog DOWN again.
This my very favorite post you\’ve written (not that i\’ve read many.) Honest. Clever. Simply you. That\’s all we can be. I do the same thing–compare, but rather than trying to write like them I just figure myself a failure and quit all together. The only thing that keeps me going is that somewhere deep inside of me I know beyond knowing I am supposed to write. I also want to speak someday, but those doors aren\’t opening. So, I keep on dreaming, reading/following authentic people like you, and taking one day at a time…blogging along until He tells me to quit. So glad you are apart of our WWW group! I like you!
Andy, thanks for your encouraging comment, also for starting a wonderful word weaving group that is helpful, safe and supportive. As far as blogging, I quit, then I begin again, then I quit, then I begin again … I figure if all else fails, I\’ll blog about that over and over till I have something else to say! I\’m glad we met. I like you too!
I really enjoyed your post, Kim because I have been having trouble with a story that I am be paid to do. It seems like the ones I stumble upon are the easiest. I need to just do it with inspiration from you.
Sherrie, you\’re a wonderful writer and visionary! Write like you do for GS Happening. It doesn\’t get any better than that. Love.
Hi Kim, I just wrote you a long message here, but since I wasn\’t logged in my message deleted when I went back to this page. 🙁 Probably won\’t retype it again.
Anyway, I love your voice. Your blog is short and you always make me think. You have a unique voice that I love. Please keep writing.
Kim, I need your voice.
PS like you, I struggle with everything you said. Comparison. Envy. Actually I find myself blogging less words and more pics because of this. Hmm, what\’s happening to us writers? We are being tangled up in a mess.
I want freedom!!
Help, Lord! Please help Your writers get back to writing.. We need You.
That\’s the word of the century, Tiffany … FREEDOM. After years of being part of a spiritual group, I shared, \”I finally know what i want. I want to be free.\” Rang true then and it still does, every single day. If I ever write a book, that\’ll be the topic.
As always, I appreciate your voice more than you\’ll ever know. And your photography. We do need to keep sharing. We need each other!
Thanks for your encouragement and your example. <3
Hey, freedom is my word too. No wonder I call you friend. We have the same mission – to live free and share that freedom with others. Now let\’s get busy. There are people in cages all around us. hugs
Love Mary DeMuth\’s \”Writing Uncaged\” … I want to live like that. Here\’s to us, flying free.
PS thank you for the compliment.
Thanks for being a wonderful role model. : )
From Facebook:
Christy Young said ♥
Monday at 11:32am · Unlike · 1
S. Kim Henson said Thanks, Christy Young.
Tuesday at 11:13am · Like
Linda Saelg Calvanico said sorry it\’s a little late responding, but great read…I was wondering why all the quotes and no blog…love it all though!
Yesterday at 7:36am · Unlike · 1
Sherrie Glensky said Really enjoyed it Kim and left a comment.
Yesterday at 7:46am · Unlike · 1
S. Kim Henson said Now you know, Linda Saelg Calvanico … I got \”kind of\” tangled up. Grrrr! But I\’m back, at least for now. : ) Thanks for always commenting.
Yesterday at 10:06am · Like
S. Kim Henson said Thanks so much, Sherrie Glensky!
Yesterday at 10:06am · Like