Challenge… ACCEPTED!

I don’t share too much about my personal life… other than I used to have an obsession with Y&R, I LOVE Sailor Moon, and I have a weird fear of raisin bread.

Nope - nothing too personal at all.

Most of you already know I am married to an amazing artist (and overall a super-cool human being).

I do not talk enough about my incredible daughter.

She is one of the reasons why I created a writing routine I’ve been able to maintain daily. I want to encourage her creativity and, in turn, she encourages me.

I was surprised by her statement above. And I'm grateful she found her voice to tell me.

My 10-year-old daughter is an extremely talented artist. She continues to teach herself various techniques. Her fascination at the moment is manga and anime, and her more recent drawings showcase this.

Watching her learn from YouTube videos and Udemy courses is a great reminder to continue learning and improving my writing.

I’m also learning how to be a better communicator by writing daily. I understand she observes me and will emulate my behaviour, the good and the bad.

My daughter experienced bullying in school starting in Kindergarten. Because she didn’t know how to use her voice, I was not aware of the extent of the bullying until years later. She lived with fears of her own for years. Her fear of speaking up grew even when the bullying died down. She was afraid to use her voice to express her pain.

I understood how she felt because I lived a similar reality in my childhood. The fear carried into my adulthood. Was she afraid because I was still afraid?

When my writing journey started in February 2022, I chose to share many journal entries openly with my family. She learns how I’m working with my fears in real-time.

Near the end of the school year (June 29, 2022 - 148 days into my writing journey), my kiddo came home with a huge smile on her face. One of her bullies made a rude comment directed at her and she found the strength to respond. According to my daughter, the individual was surprised with the response and walked away from her.

We have both improved our courage to speak up because of writing (and other creative interests). Our relationship grows stronger every day through open and honest communication with each other.

This newsletter was added to my writing journey this year - it evolved into a weekly routine in between all the crazy weirdness going on in my life. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned about my journey and myself through the newsletter.

At the same time, there have been a few weeks when I contemplated taking a break. My life is in a constant state of flux. Sometimes I want to go to my mental beach and sip on my brain colada or mai tai while doing nothing for a moment.

A key takeaway from my writing journey is that life is always going to be in flux. I can choose to go with it or sit with my imaginary mai tai.

Last Wednesday was one of those nights. I was tired and frustrated from the past few days. I believed I was “behind” on where I wanted to be with the newsletter draft and sourcing images. I didn’t realize how much I was talking negatively to myself and putting myself down. My 10-year-old picked up on my negative self-talk and offered a logical solution to my struggle.

“You don’t have to do it every week,” she said. “You can take a break.”

My daughter never discourages me from writing. In this case, she was looking out for my well-being. She knew I was tired and wanted me to be kinder to myself. This is what I have been working on with myself through writing, and what I’ve shared with her. However, I also want her to know that commitment to one’s passion is an important part of the journey. If my daughter wants to be a great manga artist, she will need to practice daily.

If I want to become a better writer and continue to share what I’ve learned, I need to pass on the pity party and commit:

I want to write at least one newsletter every week for a year.

ARGH!

OK, this may seem a bit nuts that I am freaking out about 52 newsletters. It is another way for me to commit to my writing journey. I want my daughter to witness the possibilities that unfold when one sets an intention for themself. By showing her it is possible, I am showing myself and others too.

I continue to celebrate WINS of all sizes and I encourage others to do the same. Today marks my 21st newsletter - WHOO! I am already close to the halfway point. I’m taking a rain check on that mai tai.

This newsletter encourages me to practice something I love doing on a regular basis. I hope to encourage my daughter and others to continue pursuing their dreams and push through those fears (or ride them!).

Challenge ACCEPTED: A weekly newsletter for 52 weeks.

Thanks, kiddo! ❤️

Naddy/Nad