This is such a thoughtful piece. So many writers (myself included) feel that tension between showing up for others and protecting the space where our peace and our creativity live.
I especially loved your question: “When does protecting your peace become rude?”
As someone who writes about family, trauma, and truth-telling, I’ve learned that protecting your peace is often the most compassionate choice you can make for everyone involved.
Thank you for naming this so clearly. I’ve been reflecting a lot on how these same practices apply to staying connected to our writing during a season that often pulls us away from ourselves.
Thank you, Fanen. I’m glad this piece caught your attention. A few of these connections have been lurking outside the edge of my writing for a while. It is encouraging to hear weaving them together made sense.
BTW, a theme I’ve seen you mention at least a couple times — that some of our ‘best work’ lies in the things we’re reluctant to write — provided some motivation to put this together. I’ve been trying to figure out how to address “people pleasing” for a while. ;p
This is such a thoughtful piece. So many writers (myself included) feel that tension between showing up for others and protecting the space where our peace and our creativity live.
I especially loved your question: “When does protecting your peace become rude?”
As someone who writes about family, trauma, and truth-telling, I’ve learned that protecting your peace is often the most compassionate choice you can make for everyone involved.
Thank you for naming this so clearly. I’ve been reflecting a lot on how these same practices apply to staying connected to our writing during a season that often pulls us away from ourselves.
Thank you, Fanen. I’m glad this piece caught your attention. A few of these connections have been lurking outside the edge of my writing for a while. It is encouraging to hear weaving them together made sense.
BTW, a theme I’ve seen you mention at least a couple times — that some of our ‘best work’ lies in the things we’re reluctant to write — provided some motivation to put this together. I’ve been trying to figure out how to address “people pleasing” for a while. ;p
Thanks. :)
Great to hear that, Terry!
A smart writer once said, “People-pleasing isn’t love, it’s just self-abandonment with good manners.”
I would say that’s a pretty spot-on definition, so I’m glad you’re addressing this 😆