a form of constancy
weekly story work exercise
If you’re new here, Story Work is the name of my current book-in-progress. It describes a process of reflection, reclaiming, and reimagining the stories of our lives. It involves looking at your life experiences as creative material that you have the power to shape. Paid subscribers receive Story Work exercises every Sunday night at 8 pm et. If you are interested in receiving this weekly flow of self-reflection ideas for your writing practice, plus access to our monthly group journaling session, The Practice, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Read on for a preview of our weekly exercise which focuses on the connection between courage and consistency.
First, a couple of reminders:
The Creative Courage Writing Intensive includes guidance for developing the mindsets and practices that support your creative process and build your creative courage. It’s currently open for enrollment, and the course runs from January 11 - March 21. You can learn more here.
If you’re seeking a soul-focused creative mentor and community, until December 31, you can join the Inner Story Writing Circle at a 12% discount by signing up for the full year of 2024. There is also the ongoing option to join on a month-to-month basis. You can learn more here.
“Long before morning I knew that what I was seeking to discover was a thing I'd always known. That all courage was a form of constancy. That it is always himself that the coward abandoned first. After this all other betrayals come easily.”
― Cormac McCarthy
All courage is a form of constancy.
All courage is a practice.
This year I put this to the test. I started a creative coaching program in September of 2022, and added the Inner Story Writing Circle the following December. I worried that no one would sign up, and that I would run out of things to say. I worried about the consistency required, and my ability to be a reliable source of creative energy for others through the ebbs and flows of the rest of my life. My inner critic reminded me of all the things I didn’t know, and how public failure would be if I didn’t succeed.
Our inner critics get loud when we decide to take a creative risk. Just when we take a leap and start making moves, something inside protests and resists the new vulnerability. We think we must be doing something wrong because we feel this dislocation, this loss of control. But it’s ok. There’s nothing wrong. This is part of the process. You’re just paving a new path and uncertainty should be expected.
Our inner critics get loud when we are growing and expanding beyond our prior limitations.
For example:
When you express yourself in a new way or share a different point of view that separates you from the comfort of groupthink.
When you are experiencing a season of seemingly low productivity, when life is calling you to be still and incubate.
When you discover something that you can’t fix or control through sheer force or willpower.
When you subject yourself to new pressures and responsibilities and the learning curve intimidates you.
When you make an effort and don’t get immediate validation or the specific results you wanted.
When you set or enforce a boundary that disrupts familiar relationship dynamics.
When you discover a bad habit or area of weakness that stands between you and something you want.
We can teach ourselves to respond differently when the voice of doom gets loud and the growth gets uncomfortable.
All courage is a form of constancy.
Are you familiar with self-betrayal, and all the dreams that are deferred because of it? Have you experienced the explosion of a creative vision, only to have the fire drenched by the downpour of fear that follows it?
Inspiration can trigger courage, but what can sustain it?
In the past, I always associated consistency with discipline. I’m a heart-driven being who could never find the heart in that word, and it triggered old wounds of inadequacy. So this year I looked for ways to reframe it and I found the word devotion, and the word steadfast, and I found meanings that empowered me.
To be steadfast is to be fixed in intensity or direction, to not change or lose purpose, unwavering and determined, resolute and faithful.
To be devoted is to be ardently dedicated and loyal, it is love, faithfulness, and enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.
For me, where discipline feels punitive, devotion feels purposeful. Where discipline feels like following someone else’s rules, steadfastness feels like following my own.
What is your relationship with consistency and discipline? In what parts of your life do you find it easy and where do you find it hard? What words represent discipline and consistency in a way that feels juicy and invigorating for you?
And lastly, remember your Why, my friends. For every creative calling or intention that comes to mind, get clear on your deeper why, what authentic need you are seeking to fulfill. Sometimes finding the courage to be consistent is just as simple as knowing why it matters to you so much.
the courage to keep going
Going into the new calendar year, maybe you are choosing a word as a source of inspiration to center you through the year. When you think about your intentions for your creative work, remember the insight of Dr. Maya Angelou, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”
This connection between courage and consistency is undeniable.
Whatever word you choose, courage is what allows you to practice it consistently.
So the question that makes this actionable is: What daily habits, activities, and patterns of behavior help you practice courage?
Everyone’s answers will be different. Your answers will include habits that nurture your authentic self: your inner muse, your physical body, your creative spirit, your soul. For example, journaling is a habit that builds the courage to be honest with yourself. Consuming art is a habit that sparks inspiration and imagination. Community is a space you can find to surround yourself with growth-minded people who are intimately aware of the emotional challenges of creative work. Walking increases circulation and the free flow of thoughts. These are just a few suggestions.
The exercise this week is to reflect on what practices keep you in a frequency of courage and growth. The consistent practice of these life-affirming habits will give you the creative courage to devote yourself to any challenge that you feel called to.
“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”
― William Faulkner
Exercise:
Start Stop Continue is one of my favorite exercises, and it’s one that you can revisit from time-to-time to take stock of what’s working and what’s not in all aspects of your life. Below is the creative courage version.
Start. What do you want to start doing to breathe fresh air into your creative life? What feelings, activities, and passions need more of your attention? What has gotten in the way of you starting these things thus far and what habits can help you manage those obstacles?
Stop. What have you had enough of? What are you tolerating or feeding into that is not adding value to your creative life? Where do you need boundaries to protect your creative goals?
Continue. This where the devotion and steadfastness comes in. What habits or trends in your life do you want to continue or take to the next level? What callings have you stalled on because momentum was slow or your inner critic got the best of you? What daily life practices can you incorporate to keep you in a frequency of courage and growth? What will it take for you to continue when you don’t get immediate results or validation? How can you help yourself remain devoted and steadfast through uncertainty, disruptions, and challenges?
P.S. You know what really moved the needle for me this year when it comes to being consistent and steadfast? Seeking out examples of other people, women, creatives, writers, coaches, etc. who I could talk to or read about their stories of expansion. Lessons learned from growing their businesses and platforms. Managing it all without sacrificing self-care. Persevering through uncertainty. Pivoting and adjusting. The delicate balance of surrendering and strategizing. When we are vulnerable with each other, we empower each other, you know?
A lot of times, we struggle with consistency because some part of our subconscious doesn’t believe that what we want is possible. By finding actual examples (particularly examples that have similar circumstances, challenges, or that you can relate to in some way) that sustained creative courage and consistency does pay off in transformative ways, there is an inner opening that happens. You see the evidence of it, and now your subconscious believes it’s possible.