My Book Is Coming Out Soon (What's Next?
So, this happened: My book is coming out soon.
It kind of snuck up on me. I’ve been working on it in little inspired bursts over the past couple of years—never forcing, just following the energy when it felt right. So much so that when a friend recently said, “Nicole… you did it. You really built the life of your dreams, and your book is about to be out in the world,” I had to pause.
He was right.
Somewhere between adapting to a new country (with values wildly different from where I was raised and where I spent the last decade), building a slow, freedom-based lifestyle, and learning how to surf—I had done the damn thing.
I wrote the book.
I built the life I used to daydream about.
And now… it’s happening.
That conversation cracked something open in me. It made me ask: What do I want next?
Because becoming an author was always the dream.
Helping others overcome their fear of doing things differently—that’s always been the mission.
And creating a life where I could sneak in surf sessions between website tech troubleshooting and content creation? Dream achieved.
So… now what? 😂
Honestly? I don’t know exactly. I’ll be promoting the book over the next few months, sharing its message and building a community around the ideas inside. But beyond that? I’m still figuring it out.
What I do know is this:
I love the lifestyle I’ve carved out.
I love the strength I’ve built in my body.
I love how deeply I sleep—even if I’m woken up by a mosquito or a surprise power outage.
I love the version of myself that wrote this book.
Thinking About Writing Your Own Book?
If you’ve got something to say—something you want to share with the world—do it. It’s easier than you think, especially if you’re willing to take a DIY path. Here’s what I used to get mine across the finish line:
Formatting: KDP ebook formatter from Fiverr – $111
Editing tools: ChatGPT Premium ($20/month) + Grammarly Premium ($30/month)
Final edit: VA by Niecy – ($405)
Cover art inspo: Juul Lit – $120
Book-strategy session: Janet Goldstein, free (it was a favor)
Don’t let perfectionism or process hold you back. Start scrappy, follow the spark, and trust the message.
And if you want to follow along on my journey, subscribe to my Exiting the Matrix blog. I’ve got loads of stories, resources, and behind-the-scenes to share over there.
Need to ask me a question about exiting the matrix, website troubleshooting or digital nomadding? Get in touch.
ChatGPT for Writers: Ethical Dilemma or Game-Changer?
A writer friend recently asked me, “Don’t you think using ChatGPT is cheating?”
I get where she’s coming from—I’ve had similar thoughts. But I no longer feel guilty about using AI (with discretion) as a content creator and writer, and here’s why…
People with money or connections have been using those advantages to get their messages out for centuries—sometimes even spreading hate or fear. Ghostwriters have been around forever (and likely getting severely underpaid). Famous male authors used to rely on their female partners to help them write, only to take all the credit. Today, your ideas can be heard, but only if you can afford a writing coach, PR team, and editor or if you have the cash to buy followers so a publishing house takes you seriously. The system is rigged, and I’m tired of the gatekeeping that the publishing industry holds so tightly.
AI is leveling the playing field. It gives artists and creators access to tools that were once only available to the lucky or the elite. If you don’t use it, someone else will—maybe even to spread misinformation or hateful ideas. Not using AI won’t make it disappear. It will just ensure that your ideas and experiences stay in the dark. And that would be a real shame.
I love that National Novel Writing Month recently embraced AI in a positive light in WIRED Magazine. I, too, believe AI can help break down the gatekeeping in the art and publishing worlds.
—> Read the WIRED article here
—> Head here to read 3 Benefits and 3 Limitations to Using Chat GPT
As an artist, it’s never really been 100% about *what* you create—bu about *who* you know and *how much* money you have. Expensive software, materials, marketing, editors, ghostwriters, conferences, producers… it all adds up. Like many artists and writers, I’ve faced countless challenges. These days, a publishing house or agent won’t even look at a new writer unless they already have a massive social media following. Professional editors and writing coaches I’ve contacted have quoted me thousands of dollars to review a manuscript or guide my project. The same happened when I approached illustrators for my oracle deck.
A lot of artists are up in arms about AI in the creative space, but honestly, I see it as a tool—a tool that helps elevate creative ideas in a way that money and connections have always done for the famous.
So, if you don’t want to use AI for your creative work, that’s totally fine. But please step aside for those of us who can’t afford to spend $10,000+ on a ghostwriter, editor, or PR specialist to get our message out.
And to all the women, queer folk, and BIPOC creators out there—please, please, please enlist the help of AI to share your experiences with a broader audience! I’m tired of reading history only through the lens of privileged white men who have the resources to buy their way into the conversation. It’s time for new voices to be heard.
If you’re not already using AI in your small business, you’re missing out on the chance to expand your reach and elevate your impact at little to no cost. Want to learn how to use AI to boost your business authentically? Head here to learn more about my exclusive offering, a Content Marketing Training Session for Heart-Centered Leaders who want to learn how to harness the power of AI to elevate their conscious business effortlessly.
3 Limitations and 3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
I recently shared a post where I talked about my three favorite AI tools that are helping me elevate my output and magnify my impact. My most used of these tools is ChatGPT. For those writers who might have hesitations about AI, I’m hoping this post eliminates some of the apprehension you have and encourages you to try it out because, at least not as of yet, ChatGPT is not a job stealer, a secret spy, or a grand threat - it’s a polite tool that can help you overcome writer’s block, get inspiration, formulate strategy, craft SEO friendly blog posts, and write comprehensive conclusions (I HATE writing conclusions.)
In this post, I want to share some of the platform's limitations as well as its benefits. Instead of hiding your head under a pillow and hoping it will all go away, I recommend jumping in and trying out the platform for yourself because while AI may not be taking anyone’s job soon, it will soon take the jobs of those who don’t learn how to use AI to maximize their output.
3 Limitations of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s not funny…yet.
If you want your copy to be informative, you’ll be ok with an AI content writer, but if you want it to be sharp-witted and knock your socks off funny, it just isn’t there. You’d be better off hiring a self-deprecating millennial or a harshly honest Gen Z to deliver relatable quips.
#2 It’s not always factual.
I’ve found that AI sometimes lies, especially when quoting famous people or identifying book excerpts. I’m sure it also gets other statistics wrong. Again, you can use AI to help you set a structure for your writing and overcome writer’s block but don’t trust it to deliver accurate info, especially if you are a health professional. You’ll still need a savvy human researcher or professional to fact-check and edit.
#3 It’s easy.
This is a plus side because it can save you a lot of time, but I’ve found that when I am not in the mood to write something I am very capable of, I will sometimes use ChatGPT to help me. In other words, it’s easy to rely too much and become dependent on it. Again, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but once you start using AI to help you write content, you will begin to recognize others who use it, too, because it will sound very formulaic. Creativity is not its strong suit yet, so make sure you or someone on your team adds some flair, humanness, and relatability.
3 Benefits of Using ChatGPT
#1 It’s free (for now).
There are premium services and upgrades, but ChatGPT currently offers a basic plan that is free to use. They have recently implemented a limit on how many searches you can make per day, but I rarely ever reach the limit. And if I do, it’s usually because I am procrastinating on something important and just seeing how far I can go down the rabbit hole. That means if you master AI, you can save a TON of money on content marketing services.
#2 Time freedom.
Entrepreneurs often have the highest of aspirations. They expect not only to understand and master every aspect of their business but also to be high-income earners overnight, loving and adoring partners, friends, parents, and citizens, and physically and mentally in tip-top shape. It’s an unattainable goal, especially if you are starting, which means you will likely be lacking in a few areas of your life. Though creating content is my wheelhouse, implementing AI has freed up so much of my time that I can brainstorm for future business endeavors or spend time with people I love doing things that light me up. It’s funny when people complain that AI is making art, which wasn’t the future they hoped for, but I’ve had a different experience. Implementing AI has allowed me to spend more time crafting my art - I am currently illustrating an oracle deck I wrote a few years ago with the help of AI because I couldn’t find a human illustrator that was interested in helping me navigate the project, or they just straight up never emailed me back. AI, on the other hand, is always eager to help.
#3 More value added to the world.
If you are reading this, you are probably already a conscious business owner, nonprofit organizer, healer, or aspiring to be. You have likely dedicated your life to helping others but are struggling to make ends meet or stay on top of your business.
In conclusion (yes, I used ChatGPT to help me write this conclusion, LOL), while AI tools like ChatGPT may have their limitations, such as lacking humor, occasionally providing inaccurate information, and the potential for overreliance, they offer significant benefits that can elevate your work and free up your time. As entrepreneurs, creators, or professionals dedicated to making a positive impact, mastering AI can be a game-changer. It can save you money, provide valuable time freedom, and ultimately help you add more value to the world. The key is to approach these tools with an open mind and a balanced perspective, using them to supplement your creativity and expertise rather than a replacement. By doing so, you’ll keep pace with the evolving landscape and ensure you’re using AI to its fullest potential—enhancing your work while maintaining your unique human touch.
***I couldn’t have said it better myself, ChatGPT. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution :)
Want to learn how to amplify your impact with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.
3 AI Tools I'm Loving Right Now
Lately, much shade is being thrown at AI and content creators who use AI, but I’m here to be a contrarian. AI has the potential to offer business owners (especially my fellow soul-preneurs) - alternative, easy, and budget-friendly ways to amplify their impact.
The following AI platforms have transformed how I approach my client work as well as my passion projects, whether for illustration, writing, or video creation. Let me share the AI tools I’m loving lately and how they help me create more freely and efficiently.
#1 OpenArt.ai: A Game-Changer for My Illustrations - $75/ year subscription, 5000 credits/ month
When my publisher Rio Nuevo shut their doors, I found myself in a bind. My upcoming project, a Desert Animal Oracle Deck, was on hold, and I was scrambling to find a new illustrator. My initial thought was to reconnect with my previous illustrator, but her quote was well beyond my budget. Not only that, but she also failed to respond to my inquiries about the timeline, leaving me in the lurch. I contacted other illustrators, but the responses were delayed or inconsistent, and the time was ticking.
That’s when I discovered OpenArt.ai. Desperate for a solution, I explored the world of AI-generated art. I taught myself how to create AI art using this tool, and the results were terrific. OpenArt.ai has allowed me to produce high-quality illustrations without the headaches and delays of finding a traditional artist.
Using OpenArt.ai and Canva, I’ve crafted stunning visuals that perfectly capture desert wildlife's mystical and serene essence. The best part? I can tweak and refine the art as I see fit, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with my vision and that I don’t need to spend much money on it. Here are some sample cards….SNEAK PEEK…Shhhhhhh!
#2 ChatGPT: My Go-To Writing Assistant, FREE
Regarding AI chatbots, I must admit that I haven’t experimented much with the plethora of options available. Why? Because ChatGPT has everything I need. As a writer, the ability to brainstorm ideas, generate content, and even refine my work in real-time has been invaluable.
Whether drafting blog post ideas, developing content strategies, or polishing my rough drafts, ChatGPT has proven an indispensable tool in my creative arsenal. The ease with which I can communicate with the AI and get meaningful responses makes it feel like I have a dedicated writing assistant at my fingertips.
The versatility of ChatGPT is what sets it apart for me. It’s not just about generating text—it’s about the collaborative process that makes my writing more dynamic. I can ask for suggestions, get feedback, and even ask AI to tweak content based on my target audience. This level of interaction has taken my writing to new heights, allowing me to experiment and push boundaries in ways I hadn’t considered before.
#3 InVideo: Bringing My Words to Life Through Video, FREE or $20/month
As a writer, I’ve always been intrigued by bringing my stories and ideas to life through video. However, the technical aspects of video creation always seemed daunting—until I discovered InVideo. This AI-powered video creator has become my latest obsession, enabling me to quickly transform my writing into engaging visual content.
InVideo offers a range of templates and customization options that make video creation accessible, even for someone like me with little experience in the field. I’ve started experimenting with creating promotional videos for my writing projects, and the results have been spectacular. The platform allows me to integrate my text with images, animations, and music, creating a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with my audience.
One of the things I love most about InVideo is its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be intuitive, so I don’t have to spend hours learning how to use it. Instead, I can focus on the creative process, experimenting with different elements until I achieve the desired effect. Whether it’s a book trailer, a promotional clip, or just a fun visual experiment, InVideo has become an essential tool in my creative toolkit. Here’s a video I had fun making last night - I used text from a project I am working on about Exiting the Matrix. Not bad for a newb!
Embracing the Future of Creativity
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a tangible resource revolutionizing how we create. Tools like OpenArt.ai, ChatGPT, and InVideo have empowered me to take control of my projects, allowing me to produce high-quality work without the usual hurdles. By integrating AI into my creative process, I’ve explored new mediums, experimented with innovative ideas, and brought my visions to life with unprecedented ease.
If you’re a creative professional looking to expand your toolkit or a business owner seeking to amplify your purpose, I highly recommend these AI tools. Whether you want to create stunning visuals, enhance your writing, or delve into video production, an AI solution can help you achieve your goals. The future of creativity is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
And yes - I did enlist AI's help to write this blog post :)
Want to know more about how to use AI to amplify your impact? I’m currently offering a $77 one-hour Zoom session where you and I will dive deep into the inner workings of your business. During the session, you will learn how to create engaging, authentic content that resonates with your audience, saves time AND aligns your message with your mission. More details here.
Why I'm Switching from Flodesk to Substack
After doing a ton of research I decided to sign up for Substack, “a website providing a user-friendly platform for writers and journalists. Substack cuts through the complexities and costs of traditional publishing, allowing creators to share their work and directly monetize it.” - Source
I am hoping Substack will satisfy my newsletter management needs and help me gain a wider reach. In this article, I will explain why I am switching to Substack and away from Flodesk, my current newsletter management system.
Why I Am Saying Goodbye to Flodesk
The cost - When I started using Flodesk it was only $19 a month. While still on the pricier side of things when it came to newsletter management I LOVED the designs of the templates and just the whole energy over there. LOL. Yes, websites and platforms can have a vibe. I liked that they seemed to cater to women entrepreneurs probably because the founders were women themselves. It was a no-brainer for me. Last year, however, despite my long-time membership, they jacked the price to $60 a month. Being the master negotiator I am, I asked them to let me have another year at the introductory price. and they agreed. But as my subscription is about to run out again, I do not want to go through this process all over. Substack is, however, free to join. They take 10% of your profit from paid memberships.
Stagnant subscriber count - Of all the years I’ve been slinging newsletters on Flodesk, my subscriber list has remained pretty stagnant. Part of that is my fault because I rarely talk about it and I haven’t been consistent with updating my lead capture pop-ups on my website - but the truth is Flodesk doesn’t aid in this process. Substack, however, allows you to give shoutouts to other Substackers in your newsletters, provides a place to build community, allows other people to give you shoutouts in their Substacks, and my favorite feature, automatically sends out an email every time you make a post. When I blog on Squarespace, for example, I have to manually insert the link into a Flodesk email and send it out.
Monetization - With Substack, monetization is built in. Because they only get paid when you get paid, they make it easier for you to get money.
When I first began to create content, it was in the days of “give content away for free and “they” will come”. True, my blog has allowed clients to find me organically but they rarely convert to newsletter subscribers and those newsletter subscribers rarely convert to new or repeat business. Again, a lot of this is my fault for not having a clear strategy in place from the beginning but also because the topics I talk about are all over the place. But not anymore. My new Substack will be dedicated to helping curious souls build a life they don’t have to escape from.
Getting Over Being Cringe
I’m not going to lie, being a writer is HARD. We are sensitive creatures who feel things very deeply. We are fine-tuned to see the details that make life beautiful but also repulsive and we’ve been given the gift/curse to translate what we are feeling into words so that thicker-skinned souls can feel these things too.
Having to put ourselves OUT THERE, being SEEN, just feels so cringe and misaligned. But if you want to reach a wider audience, and if you want to get paid to share ideas, you have to put yourself out of your comfort zone. I believe that my ideas are valuable and can help change people’s lives for the better. I also believe that people value things MORE when they pay for them, so that is why I will be offering premium content for a premium price. Not to mention all the people who should not have platforms because they are spreading negativity and fear in the world yet they just keep getting up every day and doing it, THE AUDACITY!! So, why shouldn’t I simultaneously carve out a cute little hopeful path forward - and also feed myself at the same time?
Will it work? I have no idea but I’ll never know if I don’t try.
Want to support my work? Think my ideas are valuable? Join my Substack here.
Whom Will You Nourish Today?
Have you ever had a parent thoughtfully prepare your favorite dish so that when you get off the plane you’re travel-induced hunger pangs quickly subside?
Or a best friend invite you over for a spontaneous lunch taking special care not to include any of the ingredients you have intolerances to?
Or a thoughtful lover prepare you a wholesome breakfast along with fresh squeezed orange juice while you gently awaken?
When you nourish someone you aren’t just providing their body energy for the day, to help make sure they are prepared to navigate the hardships that life sometimes brings, you are nourishing their spirit.
You’re subconsciously saying '“Hey, you aren’t alone. I’m here with you. I know that life is heavy and that sometimes the news brings you to tears. I know that sometimes you feel an overwhelming responsibility to help others who have been dealt a less than favorable hand in life and that you feel guilty when you are brought to joy or laughter by a blooming flower or a silly animal companion. But your cells, muscles, and organs need love too. Here, my love, eat.”
To volunteer to go into an active war zone - I don’t know what kind of courage that takes. I can’t even bring myself to share the atrocities on my social media accounts without overthinking about what pain it might cause someone, or what judgments I might receive. But to enter an active war zone with the intent of nourishing the bodies of civilians who have had everything taken away from them; their safety, their autonomy, their livelihood, their loved ones, their cultural identity, and even their dignity, and then to be targeted, to be decimated, to be robbed of the ability to nourish the hearts, minds, and bodies of friends and family forever more, well it it unfathomable.
It brings me to tears. I know the tears will eventually stop but the pain, the pain of being human, of witnessing a genocide unfolding in real time will linger. And yet through the ache in my heart, I will try to remember to simultaneously appreciate all the beauty that surrounds me, like the abundance of wildflowers greeting me on my morning walk, the warm Algarve sun kissing my cheekbones, and the spiced Moroccan coffee I will soon brew for myself when I return home.
Later, I will nourish my body with vegetables from the garden and I will say a silent prayer for those who do have access to such necessities. I will gratefully toast to all the friends, family, and lovers who have lovingly nourished me when I could not nourish myself and I will vow to do the same to whomever I can, whenever I next get the chance.
Whom will you nourish today?
How's Your He(art) today? ❤️
I've been stuck in a rut.
Not physically. Physically I am in a village outside of Barcelona and absolutely loving my wandering life. After my Morocco venture ended, I picked up Jean Genie, my 2006 Citroen minivan and be-bopped my way to a converted barn in the French Pyrenees to hang out with Moka, an adorable dog, for a few weeks.
And a few days ago, I began moving south to Spain. Follow the sun is my new life motto, and has so far been working out beautifully…
Except for that rut I mentioned…
The Writing Rut
You see, I have all these things I want to say about living an alternative lifestyle and exiting the matrix — the challenges you’ll face, the mindset shifts that will have to happen first, and the endless rewards that come once you start making steps towards your reality — but every time I write I feel like I’m turning a blinds eye to the atrocities going on around the world. I feel myself comparing my journey with those who are literally starving or no longer have a home due to conflict and suddenly what I have to say doesn’t seem that important.
As an attempt to dull my racing thoughts the other day, I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and came across a profile I had recently started following called @motherwortandrose - and like a beacon of hope there was a post with the following quotes in succession:
““Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It’s really working to create something beautiful. “”
““You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.””
““In the midst of death, art requires a distinct and mystical courage. An audacity that says not only do I have a right to exist, but I believe my existence will add to the fabric of the universe. I will make.””
Upon reading the quotes I started to cry.
If you, too, feel overwhelmed with sadness when you watch the news. If you feel hopeless and like nothing really matters, I want you to re-read those quotes again. And then I want you to create. I want you to transmute your sadness, your confusion, and your pain into art. And then I want you to share it with someone you love.
Your art may look like a creamy ass casserole, and sharing it might mean showing up on your neighbor’s doorstep with a steamy plate of goodness. Your art may be a messy collage with newspaper clippings, old photographs of you as a kid, and stick glue and sharing it might look like sending a screenshot to your bestie (see the collage I sent to my bestie above, LOL). Wherever your heart is, whatever your art is, I want you to create.
We are complex creatures that are capable of holding many feelings at the same time; terror and joy, wonder and disgust, compassion and disdain. In these trying times, be careful not to numb out too long on Instagram or Netflix, but be more careful not to deny yourself the pleasures of being in a human body. That includes creating art and thus creating a more beautiful world in the process.
The world needs a reason to smile right now and your art just might be a reason to do so.
Are you creating as much as you wished you were? Why or why not?
So You Wanna Be a Published Author? Here are 5 Key Things You Should Know
Skill Swapping
If you know me you know I love work trade and skill swapping.
That’s why when I saw a post pop up on a Skill Swap group on Facebook from a woman who was looking for someone to audit her website and give helpful feedback from a design perspective - I got excited! In exchange, she would dole advice about becoming a published author because she had gone through the process herself.
I’d been wanting someone I could talk to about the publishing world for some time because the path towards being published can be a daunting one. Because I’m a web designer who audits sites for a living, I reached out. She agreed to a meeting and the next day we scheduled an initial Zoom introduction.
At least that’s what I thought.
What ended up occurring was much more valuable than a meet and greet. During our 20 minutes together, she gave me a LOT of practical advice about not only getting published but also writing in general.
Here Were My Key Takeaways From My Brief Meeting With a Published Author
1/ If you find yourself waffling, or your brain is moving in lots of directions during your writing time, change up the medium.
Instead of click-clacking away at a laptop, pull out your trusty notepad and pen and write by hand instead. Your thoughts and ideas will become more clear when you are forced to slow down.
2/ If you are a nonfiction writer, don’t spend time writing a full manuscript.
Instead, focus on writing a great proposal and then reaching out to potential agents or publishers. Nonfiction agents will likely want to guide you during the writing process. If you submit a full manuscript there’s a good chance they will want to make lots of edits or tell you to rewrite completely. Save yourself the trouble!
3/ Allocate ample time to get samples of your writing published in various journals and media outlets.
Once your work is published on several sites you can submit these links along with your proposal when reaching out to agents. Or, in the case of the published author I spoke with, they might even reach out to you about writing and publishing a book.
4/ Network with the right people.
Getting published is highly dependent upon being in the right place at the right time…and on the connections you have. Increase your luck of being seen by making sure to follow publishers on social media platforms, interact with their content, and share links to your published articles on your platforms.
5/ Don’t expect to get rich.
Even if you do get signed, your publisher might ask for things such as additional pictures that you might have to pay out of pocket to obtain, for example. This can cut into your bottom line.
I have to be honest. Sometimes I wonder if my skin is tough enough to go through this process. I wonder if I have what it takes to stick it out until the end and not take all the rejection personally. And then sometimes the universe throws me a bone and says, keep going you got this. The meeting with a published author was my latest bone and I hope this blog post is YOUR bone.
As you go forth and navigate the publishing world, I recommend connecting with your why as often as possible. Ask yourself: Why do I want these ideas to spread? How do I want people’s lives to change after engaging with this content? Then print your answers on a big sheet of paper and hang it on your wall. That way when you do face rejection, you’ll be able to swiftly get back on that horse and try, try again.
Are you on the path of getting published? What do you find is your biggest challenge?
Express Yo'self!
I just finished reading Daisy Jones and The Six. In fact, I devoured it in just a few days, not a normal occurrence for this lover of short form content. For the first few days, I was under the impression that it was based on a true story, amazed that I had never heard of this “famous band”. Later after searching for a song of theirs on Spotify did I realize that it was actually not a real band but inspired by one, one that I and every other self-proclaimed witch loves very much, Fleetwood Mac.
Oops.
Anyways the story was told in an interview format. For the entirety of the book each character gets a brief moment to share his or her perspective on whatever scandalous event had been unfolding at the time.. I loved the style because it allowed you to get in the head of the character and understand where they were coming from. It also meant that sometimes characters recalled different details, which is indeed how memory actually works.
The whole book was great, and I recommend reading it, but there was one quote that stood out to me, and is the reason why I am writing this post anyway. No, I will not be getting into Book Reviews on the blog, LOL, I just really wanted to share this…
““Self-expression is about what it feels to live, not whether you had the right to claim any emotion at any time.””
Daisy, the main character, said this towards the end of the book when she was reflecting on a song that she had written. Though she held a different perspective than she did at the time she wrote the song, she wasn’t apologetic for the expression. And I just love that so much.
As a writer who gets most of my inspiration from the people I meet and the places I visit, I sometimes question whether I should be sharing intimate details. At what point does it become exploitative? And that’s where the quote comes in handy - your self-expression whether it be song lyrics, a painting, a short story, or an interpretive dance, is an expression of how you felt in that moment. And every feeling is valid regardless of the context. Point blank, you’re allowed to feel what you feel and you’re allowed to create art that demonstrates a particular feeling.
If you are struggling to express yourself, write your novel, or share your gifts with the world, I hope this quote gives you permission to take up space. Because whether or not your feelings are “right”, you have a right to express your feelings anyway :)