It’s hard to know the difference between taking your time and doing something right and avoiding completion.
At least for me, a natural born procrastinator.
I am not at all a “Type A.”
Things are never “just so,” I don’t scrutinize and I miss things.
Teachers would say I was lacking and not detail-oriented.
I like to think it’s part of my charm.
I like to move with my emotions, with how I feel. I like to decide today that this course of action is alright and tomorrow, nope, ain’t gonna work! For me, it’s the only option that feels right and true and ME.
Last year I started work on my poetry book, I compiled, I edited, I formatted, I found images, I created a cover, I had photos taken….it was a big endeavor! When it was all said and done, there was a formatting problem I just could not resolve so I decided to step away so I could do it right.
And some time passed. My writing style changed and when I went back to work on the book,
I hated it.
I felt my writing had changed and this book wasn’t a reflection of that.
I considered putting it out anyway and then I remembered those other people and decided maybe I would take my time and create a book that was a better reflection of me.
And months passed.
Alright, almost a year passed.
It was on my list for this year to complete the book and I hadn’t even tried to work on it.
Then last week at my poetry group we were chatting about our work, laughing, enjoying and I mentioned my book.
They are all supportive and caring and basically told me to just publish it. One woman even offered to help me with the formatting.
I feel I am always struggling with doing my best work and doing what the world deems as my best work.
Mistakes are normal and we live in a world that doesn’t tolerate them.Everyone experiences life differently, speaks differently;
yet we are told there are certain ways to create “proper” writing.
I believe there is a difference between not caring and throwing out crappy work that means nothing to you versus doing your best work that isn’t for everyone.
We change, we grow, we evolve.
What we loved one day is old fashioned the next.
The restaurant you love your friend hates.And if you keep waiting to put your poetry book out into the world,
the world will miss what you have to say.
No need to wait. Move mountains. Express-let’s do it!