on limiting beliefs and creative potential

and last call for my fall group cohort

Two quick updates before I get into today’s post:

• Due to a family situation, I have to reschedule the Intro to Memory Journaling workshop that is scheduled for this Sunday afternoon, August 18 from 2-4 pm et. The new date is Sunday, September 8 at the same time, 2-4 pm et. I hope you will still be able to join us. (free registration for paid subscribers or drop in for $40)

• This is the last call for The Inner Story Writing Circle — Mastermind cohort. August through October, I am facilitating this small group coaching cohort for writers and creatives who are seeking personalized support for a creative project or goal. In addition to the small group coaching and individual coaching sessions, you also get access to all the core Inner Story Writing Circle sessions during the three months you’re in the program. There is one spot left.

my belly, my cat Willow, and my crusty laptop. lol.

Hey everyone,

How are you? Y’all. I have three chapters left to write. As I'm getting closer to a completed manuscript, I keep thinking about how each chapter I finish is showing me that I am capable and that inner voice that haunted me for years was lying.

Limiting beliefs make us doubt our gifts and abilities.

According to BetterUp, a limiting belief is a thought or state of mind that you think is the absolute truth and stops you from doing certain things.

A snapshot of the limiting beliefs that kept me stuck for a long time:

Almost every essay I’ve submitted to literary journals has been rejected or ignored, so no publisher would buy a book of my essays. I suck at delaying gratification to finish long-term projects. I’m not good at managing multiple projects at one time. I don’t know how the publishing industry works. My writing platform is not big enough for me to get a deal. I’m bad at time management and planning. I’ve been inconsistent in the past. I’ve disappointed myself in the past.

If you have limiting beliefs about your creative capabilities, the best thing you can do is to give yourself new evidence that debunks that mistrust.

I've been thinking about self-trust a lot lately. Journaling about it. Talking about it in therapy. Wishing that I had starting trusting myself sooner, but thankful for the wisdom I've gained from all the detours I've taken.

What if the true reward is not tangible result but gaining a deeper understanding of how you move through challenges and transcend limitations? What if the true reward is showing yourself that your limiting beliefs aren't true?

The more I do this work as a writer and coach, the more I see how limiting beliefs make our lives smaller. We pile them on top of each other to the point that we don't even remember what formed the root of it. They seem so concrete in our minds, so many of us don't dare to challenge them. But when we do challenge them—with consistency and conviction and faith—they crumble. They fall right apart. We see that they're just illusions.

Once you see a limiting belief that has held you captive turn to dust before your eyes, now you know it's possible and the world opens up for you.

In my book-in-progress, Story Work, I talk about how changing your inner narrative changes your life. How letting go of limiting beliefs frees up your mind to explore new ideas and develop new thought patterns and creative visions for your life.

Ask yourself:

Do you believe that what you want is too hard, impossible, or out of reach because of your limitations? Do you believe that if it’s not easy right away, it’s not meant for you? How do these beliefs affect your actions?

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And remember this:    

If you focus on taking one step at a time, keeping your bigger vision in mind, you will build courage, confidence, and clarity as you move through obstacles. Taking action, even small baby steps, provides you with information that reveals unexpected insights and demystifies the process. 

Once I stopped beating myself up and arguing for my limitations, I got curious about what I could do without this disadvantaged narrative that was keeping me stuck. 

Specifically in my writing journey, this meant letting go of rules and "should's", asking for help, admitting what I didn't know, finding people to learn with, experimenting over and over, taking risks based on the idea that I will either win or I will grow.

In my writing group, the Inner Story Writing Circle, we approach our writing goals from the inside out, doing the inner work that cultivates a healthy creative mindset, so the writers can get unstuck and get free to explore the possibilities that their writing journey has to offer.  

If this resonates, I encourage you to get a feel for the community by subscribing or exploring ways to work with me below.

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If you are seeking community and inspiration in your creative life, and you value writing as a tool for self-care, personal growth, and creative expression, consider subscribing and dropping in to join us for some of our monthly workshops. Our next one is Intro to Memoir Journaling on September 8 from 2 - 4 pm et. free for paid subscribers | $40 for drop-ins

If you want consistent accountability and mentorship for your writing practice, considering joining the Inner Story Writing Circle, a month-to-month membership to support your healing, personal story work, and creative development.

If you are seeking personalized guidance, registration for the Inner Story Writing Circle Mastermind cohort is open. This August through October, I am facilitating this small group coaching cohort for writers and creatives who are seeking personalized support for a creative project or goal. If that sounds like you, you can learn more and sign up here. In addition to the small group coaching and individual coaching sessions, you also get access to all the core Inner Story Writing Circle sessions during the three months you’re in the program. There is one spot left.

coming soon:

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August 31. Author Chat w/ Jade Olivia // 12 - 1 pm et (details on the giveaway for her book, A Month of Sundays, coming soon!)

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