Recently, I started studying creative writing aka my dream course. We begin each lesson with a free writing exercise. One gave me the prompt, ‘I am…’ and I had to write from that for 10 minutes without stopping. This is what I wrote:
‘I am brave, fighting my demons every day with no escape or relief. Many people would have given up by now, and that’s not saying that I’m better than them, ‘cause I’m not. I’ve tried to give up plenty of times, but something keeps me here. I can fight easier now that I’m not in such a deep pit. I have my tools and army and I can overcome whatever I face.
I am creative. After years of trying to hide from this side of me, I am embracing it now. I used to say I was no good at art, and now I say, I am an artist. There is no certain skill level to gain the title. My art is enough as it is. I am enough as I am. ‘
I challenge you to do the same exercise. If words aren’t your thing, you could do an art piece instead. Write or create off of the prompt ‘I am’ and see what comes up for you. The only rule I give you is for it to contain no self-critical language. You are an amazing person, lean into that.
-Ellen
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