£7.42 made me feel I’d hit the jackpot.
It’s not a lot of money.
Heck, I’ve just spent that on coffee and cake while I sit writing this piece. But here’s the thing: seeing that sum of money yesterday gave me a glimmer of positive enforcement towards my dreams.
My last book was released a month ago and it’s hit the bestseller charts again. I’ve seen some sales, and I’ve had positive feedback. I am overjoyed.
This has been a year of change and reflection for me as my academic path took a sudden diverted halt.
I read this post from Robin at A Mug of Insights yesterday about how he felt when he didn’t get the PhD place he fought hard for. There was a glimmer of joy within him.
I loved my job, and I miss it, but I have worked hard on making other things work, and the latest book is one of those things.
The day-to-day process of writing has filled me with excitement each morning as I have woken. Some days, I write from a wooden desk which is housed in the window of the coffee shop. Old ladies sit around me describing what a hybrid car is to one another, and the vibe is wholesome. I wonder if I could continue to write books like ‘Look an Elephant in the Eye’ and create YouTube videos while I’m on my path to researching the books (the current series is travel-related) and make a success of this life.
Dream life:
I have stopped referring to writing as my dream life, as I feel no matter what you do, there will always be ups and downs. Life gives you things to navigate (like a poorly parent who we are hoping to have home in time for Christmas), and it’s natural to feel blue at times. But on the whole, I have been light and smiley the past few weeks while finishing up the book.
Writing feels as if it’s the thing which keeps me feeling positive in life. Last night, with heavy eyelids, I watched this episode of a conversation with Stephen Bartlett and Mel Robbins about having ‘a calling’. What are your thoughts on that? I will be 55 next week and it feels like a pivotal moment where I do have to sit up and pay attention to the constant draw to putting a pen to the page. I should be wise enough to know things, yet not too old to write my life off. Listening to the feeling inside hasn’t changed, since I was a little girl. I love to write things, I love to have a pen in my hand, and I love to tell stories.
Refreshing my Amazon page, I saw the number of page reads. It has brought in some money and has shown me the realised dream. People are reading my story.
A story of trying to be resilient, while facing the elephant in the room and calling out a taboo subject, I was nervous to share something so personal. But I have shared it. I have stepped into my brave era as I have remembered those who went before us and tried to make a change. I want other people to feel heard, and less alone. And I hope to help others feel better with my stories.
It’s kind of like printing my diary. I shared tales of the time I went to Asia for the first time this year. We went to Thailand, Vietnam and Abu Dhabi. Each place held a different vibe for me and took me on a moment of reflection. Journalling throughout, I captured the memories in all sorts of ways. Video, photos and journaling all helped me to craft this book. (Read the blurb here for more)
Would you consider keeping a journal, to help tell your story? You never know, you may just help touch another life and make a difference.
With love
Louise xoxo
PS- we hit bestseller in all three categories :)
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