Beautifully written Minnow. I especially loved this part:
> But more than that, everyone doesn’t deserve to know everything.
I have a very good friend who tells me the same thing, and Lord knows, if anyone is guilty of oversharing it is I. I've also heard Brené Brown discussing the line between vulnerability and oversharing and it's something I try to keep in mind as I go.
totally! i hear Brené Brown's voice a lot saying, "not everyone deserves your vulnerability." when i realized my vulnerability was a way of me outsourcing my approval and worth, it was a lightbulb for me. it may not be the same for everyone else, but i realize that was the reason for me.
Speaking as someone who only met you in the last year, you have been instrumental as a Foster facilitator in supporting consistency and commitment to my writing practice. Thank you for all you do, Minnow, and thank you, more importantly, for being you. 💕
omg. erica, this is so so kind of you to say! I'm so encouraged and inspired by you as well and the resilience you have going through everything life is throwing at you. it's a privilege to hold space for you and can't wait to read more of your writing.
While I *barely * knew you in the Seth Freelancer Workshop days, it’s just SO COOL to see how much you’ve come into your own since then. Especially the way you’ve combined photography and coaching into something crave-able (seriously, if I ever make it back to NYC!!…) I’m so grateful we crossed paths again and for your warm grounded presence, your insightful coaching, and most of all your TIME. You are just so generous and we’re all so lucky to have you in our little (tho not so little anymore!) Foster corner of the internet! 💗
Loved this gentle passage through your evolution, Minnow, prose like butter.
The etymology of persona that you've included is so fun and powerful. Put me in mind of an etymological concept I've been enjoying framing my transformation with, that of courage and audacity. Courage is inner work, where you connect with your own heart (cour-), face and accept yourself as you are, and can exist in the world comfortably. Audacity is outer work with the support of that courage. Initially I assumed the 'auda-' part of the word is related to the Latin and English word audio, turns out that may be a tenuous connect link but I don't care. As someone who struggles with his voice, taking up space and embodying the typical meaning of audacious, I like to think that I'm my voice and expression in the world are what I'm training these days. Through our voice, we become persons.
“the deeper the work I do underneath the surface, what’s above the surface is sturdy, strong enough to withstand the Titanics of life. - What a beautiful metaphor! You’re such a lovely writer and person. I’m grateful to know you.
This turned out so well Minnow and your photos are beautiful! I really appreciate the work and depth that goes into a review, so it was extra cool to read about your life changes. Thank you for all your encouragement this cohort!
Can definitely relate to the order, disorder, reorder bit! I feel like one of the hardest parts about being an artist is deciding which parts of ourselves and our lives to share publicly in our art. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on that and seeing you consciously make that choice for yourself! Kudos 👏🏼
thank you for resonating with this and understanding it on a deep level. this kind of understanding and being seen is really the reason i want to write.
Beautifully written Minnow. I especially loved this part:
> But more than that, everyone doesn’t deserve to know everything.
I have a very good friend who tells me the same thing, and Lord knows, if anyone is guilty of oversharing it is I. I've also heard Brené Brown discussing the line between vulnerability and oversharing and it's something I try to keep in mind as I go.
totally! i hear Brené Brown's voice a lot saying, "not everyone deserves your vulnerability." when i realized my vulnerability was a way of me outsourcing my approval and worth, it was a lightbulb for me. it may not be the same for everyone else, but i realize that was the reason for me.
Speaking as someone who only met you in the last year, you have been instrumental as a Foster facilitator in supporting consistency and commitment to my writing practice. Thank you for all you do, Minnow, and thank you, more importantly, for being you. 💕
omg. erica, this is so so kind of you to say! I'm so encouraged and inspired by you as well and the resilience you have going through everything life is throwing at you. it's a privilege to hold space for you and can't wait to read more of your writing.
While I *barely * knew you in the Seth Freelancer Workshop days, it’s just SO COOL to see how much you’ve come into your own since then. Especially the way you’ve combined photography and coaching into something crave-able (seriously, if I ever make it back to NYC!!…) I’m so grateful we crossed paths again and for your warm grounded presence, your insightful coaching, and most of all your TIME. You are just so generous and we’re all so lucky to have you in our little (tho not so little anymore!) Foster corner of the internet! 💗
it's been a privilege to hold space for you too friend. thank you for your kind words!
Loved this gentle passage through your evolution, Minnow, prose like butter.
The etymology of persona that you've included is so fun and powerful. Put me in mind of an etymological concept I've been enjoying framing my transformation with, that of courage and audacity. Courage is inner work, where you connect with your own heart (cour-), face and accept yourself as you are, and can exist in the world comfortably. Audacity is outer work with the support of that courage. Initially I assumed the 'auda-' part of the word is related to the Latin and English word audio, turns out that may be a tenuous connect link but I don't care. As someone who struggles with his voice, taking up space and embodying the typical meaning of audacious, I like to think that I'm my voice and expression in the world are what I'm training these days. Through our voice, we become persons.
let's gooooo amir this is such a beautiful reflection and addition to what i was saying with Persona. SO GOOD.
Bravo!!! Well worth the struggle and effort, my friend.
thank you for your thoughtful edits and support, as always
“the deeper the work I do underneath the surface, what’s above the surface is sturdy, strong enough to withstand the Titanics of life. - What a beautiful metaphor! You’re such a lovely writer and person. I’m grateful to know you.
literally blushing because you know i love you and respect you as a writer. couldn't have gone through this year without you sara. seriously.
can't wait to just chill the fuck out with you in NYC!
Me tooooo!
This turned out so well Minnow and your photos are beautiful! I really appreciate the work and depth that goes into a review, so it was extra cool to read about your life changes. Thank you for all your encouragement this cohort!
thank you so much for the kind words. this was so much harder to write than i thought but im glad it’s out there
This is beautifully written, Minnow! Such a clear and thoughtful piece.
🥹 such high praise coming from you friend
🥹💕
Can definitely relate to the order, disorder, reorder bit! I feel like one of the hardest parts about being an artist is deciding which parts of ourselves and our lives to share publicly in our art. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on that and seeing you consciously make that choice for yourself! Kudos 👏🏼
thank you for resonating with this and understanding it on a deep level. this kind of understanding and being seen is really the reason i want to write.
Hard-relate to the first paragraph... and as another person who just met you this year through Foster - I'm so grateful for you! :-)
so so kind of you to say Doris. so grateful to have met you as well.