There is No Need to Perform: We Love You Already

In my Wild Writing® Teacher Training, we are reminded before we write that there is no need to perform, no need to entertain. We are reminded that everyone in the room loves us already. Ahhh, deep breath.

Writing is so much more fun without the need to perform. And I am finding life is more enjoyable without the performance. Performing drains my energy. When I leave an event, a conversation, an interaction that requires me to perform in some way, I am exhausted. Feeling depleted after an interaction is my best barometer for how real I was able to be. And this awareness is enhancing my one beautiful life. Being real on the page and witnessing others be real on the page in Wild Writing has made me hunger for the truth in all aspects of my life.

Vulnerability and honesty are contagious. The more I hear people reveal their truth during Wild Writing the more I crave it. Speaking our truth is liberating, empowering and scary.

It requires courage to see ourselves as we truly are and not push it away. Bravery is noticing what is real within us and then allowing others to see us. There is nothing more exhilarating than reading aloud something I have written that is vulnerable and pure. Allowing others to see the real me gives others permission to reveal their true selves as well. And watching others reveal their true selves gives me permission. It’s cyclical — we are interconnected.

How can you be brave with your own truth? Who do you want to be brave with? How can you be more honest with yourself? Where do you not need to perform?

Check out this beautiful poem that inspired my thoughts for today by the glorious poet Julia Fehrenbacher.