I Forgot my Pants!

Have you ever had that weird and horrifying dream?  The one where you are at school, and everything is just fine, a normal day. Then the bell rings and you get up from your desk, and you suddenly realize "I AM NOT WEARING ANY PANTS!"  You freak out and then you wake up.

In my quest to become a good blogger, I've been learning more about myself than about writing or anything else. I have been reminded that I'm in a huge club of humans who struggle with many of the same issues that I do. Issues that are matters of the heart and mind, more than of blogging.

It's not uncommon for a writer, a musician, an artist, an actor, or...(you name one) to get that naked and vulnerable feeling.  You have spent time creating something, actually putting a part of yourself into it. You are finally pleased with it, and share it with people. Just like in the dream, you think that all is well, then all of a sudden you feel a cold breeze on your bum!

That cold breeze on your naked bum might be your own doubts creeping in. It might be some constructive (or not) criticism.  It might be a sensation that chills you when there is no reaction at all.  What if those kids see the real me?  They are going laugh at my stupidity for coming to school only half-dressed! Maybe I should never go back to school again!

I have recently focused on improving my writing skills and learning from others' experiences. It's common for authors to struggle with procrastination, lack of motivation, various fears, etc.  I know that these problems also plague most people who want to break out of their ruts!  Applying for a new job, going back to school, starting to date again after a divorce....

I usually dislike labels.  Sometimes though, they are helpful. Maybe it's more acceptable to label self instead of someone else. I know that I am a recovering people-pleaser and that I am too easily distracted.. (Those are only two of a longer list.)  If you don't acknowledge a problem, you can't fix it, right? I blame these problems for my writing conflicts!

These self- labels are nicer ones: realistic optimist, creative,  has a sense of humor,  insightful, introspective, empathetic.

I have loved reading and writing since I was six years old.  More than once through the years, I've considered writing a book  You know, someday. The elusive someday.

Someday is here?  SOMEDAY IS HERE!!  I am not ready to write a book yet, but I am ready to pursue this dream of mine.  I am fifty, I have raised my children, and my life/work is from home right now.  This is my opportunity to just do it!  I'll do it because I want to and I can!  I'll do it to bring hope and encouragement to my readers about many different aspects of life.  (See my statement under my blog title at top of page.)

I realize that I'll still encounter insecurities as I move forward with my blogging. Indeed, with many things in my day-to-day life.  But when I feel the cold air hit my you-know-what, I'll remember that it's just a bad dream and it's fairly common.  I so prefer the other common dream.  You know, the one where you are just walking along, and suddenly your feet lift off the ground and you can fly! Yes, a much better dream.