when in doubt, remember your why

also: author chat with Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson this Saturday

Hi friends,

Some days, doubt creeps in and takes over before you even realize what’s happening. Yesterday was one of those days for me.

I don’t know if it’s the heaviness of all that is broken in the world right now, the pressure of the book coming out soon, the desire to be rooted and strong when I’m actually feeling quite bent and fragile. Maybe it’s the drop in estrogen that occurs during the luteal phase (if you know, you know). Probably a combination of these and many other things.

But it showed up as insecurity whispering in my ear all day long, questioning what I do and if it matters… and tempting me to seek external validation to prove it.

So, last night I sat down with my journal to purge all the festering thoughts from my mind, and by the end of it all, I was left with a simple, potent reminder:

Your work doesn’t have to be popular to be powerful.

I had to get all the negative chatter out of my system, so I could first witness it (like I talked about here) and remind myself why I keep showing up and why I do this work.

If you’re new here, Writing the Layers is my weekly newsletter exploring life experiences as creative fuel. Each post offers reflection, prompts, and inspiration to help you see your own experiences as raw material for discovering, healing, and growing through writing.

My upcoming book, Story Work, is a collection of my own experiences and how creative exploration helped me reframe the defeated narratives I’d been carrying, find wisdom in my past, and imagine new possibilities for the present and future.

I’ve been writing newsletters and blog posts for over a decade, but it’s taken me a long time to find the consistent rhythm I have now, and to draw from a steady source of inspiration that isn’t driven by short-term gratification.

At times in my journey, I would get caught up in people-pleasing, trying to attract likes and follows and be popular to make me feel like I belonged. I’ve never been the cool, popular girl. Never been the smartest or the most magnetic. That’s the thing about writing—it has a way of surfacing insecurities that you’ve buried or didn’t know were there.

The problem is when you write with the goal of being liked, it robs the process of its authentic joy and curiosity. I’ve had to face the part of me that craves validation because creative expression surely won’t always give you that. At some point, writing will trigger the part of you that feels unseen, unheard, or like you just don’t matter.

But writing also builds the muscle of being that source of worth for yourself.

When you create from what truly inspires you, you get to experience the immeasurable value and impact of genuine connection, and the realization that your work makes a difference, often in ways that you may never know.

What I’m saying is:

Write what is meaningful to you. Make it matter for you. You can’t rely on external validation to give your work meaning. The fuel for your creative practice must come from within.

Keep making it about the adventure, not the destination. Keep honoring your process.

That means:

The days when you write nothing at all but spend time observing, reflecting, absorbing life…that counts as part of your creative process.

The days when you ramble on in your journal about your hurt feelings, worries, grief, and frustration…that is precious material, too.

The seasons when you put yourself out there and share your heart and soul and receive little response, there’s still reason to celebrate…because you are showing up for yourself.

It’s all part of your becoming.

I write this Substack to nourish my own creative practice and to offer material that is both reflective and generative, to spark your urge to create, because that’s what lights me up.✨

Here, I will invite you to:

• look at all the many layers of your life

• use the weekly prompts for self-inquiry and creative exploration

• draw from personal experiences as raw material for stories, essays, poems, books, and other creative projects, both private and public

Your stories matter. Even on those insecure days, remember that. ♥

Below, I am sharing a reminder about our upcoming author chat. Before we get into it: a reminder that if you want to be on the notification list for my upcoming coaching programs that I’m announcing this week, you can sign up here.

upcoming workshops + events

Join me for an author chat with Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson this Saturday, August 16 from 11 am - 12 pm et on Zoom!

Rowana is the brilliant mind behind

Spoken Black Girl

, a platform centering mental and emotional wellness for women of color. Rowana is a powerful storyteller who has made it her mission to help women heal through telling her own story and inspiring others to do the same. We’ll be talking about her creative journey and her novel, Departure Story.

The mutual respect and admiration I share with other writers that I connect with on this wild author journey sweeten the process in the most grounding, beautiful way. I used to look at authors like they weren’t human, like they were these ethereal creatures who were born to make magic with words and who never experienced self-doubt, rejection, lack of inspiration or the struggle to make a living doing what they love. Like everything I was struggling with came easy to them.

But as I got into the actual process and personal development of becoming a writer, I found that the creative path—no matter your craft—is wrought with the same struggle to stay connected to a worthwhile purpose and motivation, a deeper why that drives your efforts and your gifts.

It’s something I talk about often in my workshops.

We may get caught up in looking for likes and follows, book sales and awards as recognition for our work, but when we peel back the layers, what we’re really seeking is connection. Emotional impact. Personal and collective healing. Community. The chance to explore the human experience through our stories and to make a good living while doing it!

That’s why I started hosting author chats. Pulling back the curtain and connecting with nonfiction and fiction writers who generously share their creative journeys and lived wisdom. We talk about their books and creative projects and the deeper themes that shape their writing and lives.

It’s been awhile, so I’m so excited for this one. This event is open to all. You can get the Zoom info to join us here.

Book Launch Updates — how to get involved 🙏🏾

My new book, Story Work: Field Notes on Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative, will be released on November 4, 2025 and it’s currently available for preorder.

This book was born from a desire to connect, heal, and witness one another’s stories, and I truly believe it will find its home through the communities we build together.

You can help me launch Story Work into the world by preordering, inviting me to author chats and book clubs, joining the launch team, or simply spreading the word. You can learn more about how to get involved on my website here.