Love this simple yet revelatory take on finding your voice. Relax. I help brands find theirs and I think this carries over to advertising as well. We have the tendency to over-engineer and overthink things based on external factors, when it starts with our own USPs.
I have a framed print of that Botero painting. I hung it in my dining room for a long time as subtle social commentary for people eating at my table. I wanted her comfort with her body to remind people that eating is human, social, communal, joyous, and not to be done in shame and hiding. Some people were put off by her nakedness, by the suggestion of the bathroom as private space mixing with dining in my house. The best people got it and found comfort in it.
One of my beloved writing guides is William Stafford, who rejected the idea that anyone needs to find their voice because is already naturally present, within us. His Rx was to relinquish perfectionism and censorship, and get into the habit of writing. Thanks for the reminder, Natalie!
Body dysmorphia taught me that I might be an unreliable narrator of my own story, and so I became susceptible to others' [read: my sister's] interpretation of who I am. For decades, I mistrusted my assessment of myself in a desire to attain a more objective view.
Of late, however, I have learned that I can trust that my essential or core self is good-hearted, kind, loving, intelligent, even beautiful, and worthy of love. And so, at long last, I have been able to have confidence and faith in myself and to take joy, energy, hope, and traction from that! (And oh! I have needed that traction!)
As for why my sister had such a negatively skewed view of me and lashed out at me with it? Well, I don't think she intentionally set out to harm me. Her view was just filtered through her own pain, need, frustration, hurt, and anger. And, she happens to be damn good at arguing and at pulling so many de-contextualized facts from my life to shore up her argument that it was difficult for me not to accept (or at least give weight to) her claims.
And so, like one of those little metal balls you have to roll into its spot on a cardboard game card, my self-image and esteem kept circling the place where it could and should have settled, almost settling, and then rolling away again.
TMI? Probably. (OK, definitely.) And yet . . . aren't we all going through variations on the same struggles? So doesn't it help to be candid about them?
You always have such fantastic recommendations, and it really helped to read what you wrote about voice. It's often confounded me. Also--we both mentioned Adam Gopnik in our posts today. Go figure!
Love this simple yet revelatory take on finding your voice. Relax. I help brands find theirs and I think this carries over to advertising as well. We have the tendency to over-engineer and overthink things based on external factors, when it starts with our own USPs.
And the book recos! Have added all to my list. xx
Wonderful! I hope you love the books! xN
Thank you for the Gopnik tips!
“Make the mass murderer a great diaper changer.” 👏👏👏
There is real value in expert diaper changing!
I have a framed print of that Botero painting. I hung it in my dining room for a long time as subtle social commentary for people eating at my table. I wanted her comfort with her body to remind people that eating is human, social, communal, joyous, and not to be done in shame and hiding. Some people were put off by her nakedness, by the suggestion of the bathroom as private space mixing with dining in my house. The best people got it and found comfort in it.
I adore your subversive commentary in the dining room! So smart! xxN
PS - Natalie, I also meant to say love the image with the Botero painting. He said he never painted
"fat" people; he painted volume. And his women always seem to be enjoying themselves. Again, thanks for sharing your wisdom. Have an exquisite day! XO
I love the idea of volume. As in, space! We should all claim our space! xN
One of my beloved writing guides is William Stafford, who rejected the idea that anyone needs to find their voice because is already naturally present, within us. His Rx was to relinquish perfectionism and censorship, and get into the habit of writing. Thanks for the reminder, Natalie!
Body dysmorphia taught me that I might be an unreliable narrator of my own story, and so I became susceptible to others' [read: my sister's] interpretation of who I am. For decades, I mistrusted my assessment of myself in a desire to attain a more objective view.
Of late, however, I have learned that I can trust that my essential or core self is good-hearted, kind, loving, intelligent, even beautiful, and worthy of love. And so, at long last, I have been able to have confidence and faith in myself and to take joy, energy, hope, and traction from that! (And oh! I have needed that traction!)
As for why my sister had such a negatively skewed view of me and lashed out at me with it? Well, I don't think she intentionally set out to harm me. Her view was just filtered through her own pain, need, frustration, hurt, and anger. And, she happens to be damn good at arguing and at pulling so many de-contextualized facts from my life to shore up her argument that it was difficult for me not to accept (or at least give weight to) her claims.
And so, like one of those little metal balls you have to roll into its spot on a cardboard game card, my self-image and esteem kept circling the place where it could and should have settled, almost settling, and then rolling away again.
TMI? Probably. (OK, definitely.) And yet . . . aren't we all going through variations on the same struggles? So doesn't it help to be candid about them?
Not TMI! Honored that you shared your story with your voice. xN
You always have such fantastic recommendations, and it really helped to read what you wrote about voice. It's often confounded me. Also--we both mentioned Adam Gopnik in our posts today. Go figure!
Love your book recommendations today! Though I have very different feelings about the Strout novel. Can’t wait to discuss 🥳