I am a writer

on claiming who you are and letting your magic shine

grounded
joyful &
bright

that's how i've claimed it
i am a writer and i mean that

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What a weekend! I went on an adventure to Santa Fe, NM, where I was surrounded by some of the most beautiful, creative and vulnerable people at A Writing Room retreat. I felt honored to be in such a space, and honestly like an imposter at times. When

Alex Elle

posted about this retreat, I got so excited. 1. Because I am a huge fan + all of the other headliners teaching along with her 2. I am a writer! I closed out of my daily scrolls of the apps and told myself I would think about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Fuck it, we’re going. I purchased my ticket to the event before I took off work, booked a flight, and a hotel. It was happening and I was so happy. I started to share with those around me and the friends/family that get it, get it. I was surprised how much I got this curious look followed by, “I didn’t know you loved writing so much.”

-OOP

Each time I heard that, it gave me pause. Am I who I say I am? What did I really commit to? Well, what’s the worst that can happen? I hate it but I get to explore a new city and state.

I don’t consider myself a shy person, upon arriving, I was feeling a little like Miss Independent and planned on sitting at an open table. Before I could slink myself into a seat, I heard a stranger yell, “there’s room over here, it looks kinda lonely over there!” Greeted with warm smiles, here goes nothing! It was the start of a transformation inside of me that I am still processing today.

I’ve been trying to find the words and perfect my next post, knowing that goes against everything we cracked open during the retreat.

Each day, I keep reminding myself- just write the thing. Who cares if the first draft is shitty. You can always start again, make it better, and pivot when you need to. This weekend upholds an age-old promise to myself to pour into my creativity a bit more each day and to not forget about the things I love to do.

Surrounded by strangers, lovingly speaking life over my patchwork attempt of an “elevator pitch” to describe the writing I do- I was inspired.

I heard every time my crown was straightened when I minimized myself, I felt each compliment, and I believe in the life spoken into my to make my “little blog” way more than I could ever imagine.

As I start this new “stack” I realized that I only mentioned me beginning to blog during the lockdowns of 2020, when I went to import my posts, they date back to 2016, prior to that, I was a tumbl(r)ing queen.

It shows how easy it is to dismiss what makes you magic. Time for me to do way less of that, same for you too :)

xo,

Ashley