The One Hundred Day Creative Challenge: Day16
I am an obedient sort of person. A rule-keeper rather than a rule-breaker.
I always wait for the green light to cross. I don’t enter when it says ‘Don’t Enter.’
I want to do the ‘right’ thing.
When it comes to writing the temptation to always seek permission or affirmation is strong. I want to ‘do it right’. I want to have permission to proceed.
I’ve been on quite the journey the last few years and part of that was going to Oxford University Summer School and testing out my abilities. I wanted permission to consider myself a ‘real’ writer. I needed affirmation that I was a writer who is good enough to legitimately write on the world stage.
Sure, in my own little circle of friends and family at home, I may be known as a writer, but was I good enough?
I think we all have that question when we begin to create. Sometimes we don’t even ask for or need permission from someone else to create. We don’t give ourselves permission to create.
Brené Brown writes about permission slips in her book Rising Strong. She tells of giving herself permission to enjoy, to have fun the day she met Oprah. When I read Brené’s books or listen to her TED talks, I feel like she gets me.
Recently some friends and I ran an online book club on Rising Strong and found we all could relate to feeling vulnerable at times, especially when it came to being brave about our creativity. (click the link to read all the posts here)
Giving ourselves permission to get beyond vulnerability and shame and fear and break through into courage and daring and strength is key to overcoming the creative challenges we face.
Do you need to give yourself permission to create?
