Learning to Accept My Own Writing

Learning to be okay with my own writing took quite a long time. In high school, I remember being mortified by anything that related to sharing what we wrote with other students. I had this awful teacher my freshman year who would take every opportunity he had to tear down students and embarrass them. I was already insecure before that class, but that teacher really ruined writing for me for a long time.

Luckily, in college I had a professor who consistently encouraged students to share their thoughts, ideas, and writing. Eventually, over time and with critical, helpful, encouraging feedback, I found the first teacher in my life that I was comfortable sharing my writing with. I am forever grateful to this professor for the way he approached writing and valued the ideas of every student he worked with.

Even though nothing is perfect, for the most part I now enjoy sharing my work with those around me. Sharing with the public, however, is still a different story. Even on this blog I’ve tried to keep my name and one picture only where necessary and sometimes fear that those I know, but am not close to, will find my writing. Besides the whole “fake it till you make it” deal, I would love to hear how others got over their fears of judgment. Especially having grown up convincing myself I was not a person of the arts, there’s a lot of old insecurities popping up in my life.

It is not lost on me that there is still plenty of room for growth in this matter, but I would like to appreciate that I am only where I am now because of the confidence instilled in me from those close to me. I am envious of people who have natural confidence in their abilities and hope to count myself among them in the near future. In the meantime, I appreciate any and all feedback!