Ritual of Celebration
A few days posts back, I mentioned how I submitted a piece of writing to be published. It was a piece that I had started months ago but left unfinished in my drafts folder. It wasn’t until I began these daily thoughts, that I found the inspiration to complete the piece and send it off.
**I still haven’t heard from that outlet, but in the time since, I remained inspired and looked for new writing gigs. I can’t express how much this daily practice of writing, and publishing, has boosted my confidence as a writer. Not because I’m writing particularly well, but because I’m staying committed to pouring and releasing my thoughts daily. I feel so potent and daring. I’ve stepped onto the path of my potential and can feel the electric energy that surrounds it.
After submitting my work for a few gigs, today, to my surprise, I received offers for both opportunities. It didn’t feel real. These were prospects that I worked hard to get, but it felt inconceivable that both would come to fruition so soon. I am extremely proud of myself.
However, I will be honest. As high as I felt after receiving these two contract jobs, doubts immediately began to kick in. It’s not the first time that I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome. I started to wonder deeply about how I could overcome it and let it not get in my way. Then I remembered something my mom always tells me, “What is your ritual to celebrate the things you accomplish?”
I realized that I went from being ecstatic, receiving these gigs, to already getting in my head about how I would perform. I failed to celebrate my accomplishment and, more importantly, myself. How do I celebrate these moments? Can I take a moment and acknowledge the growth that I’ve seen within myself?
I don’t know what my ritual of celebration looks like. In this moment, it’s writing about it and acknowledging the tremendous amount of love and confidence that I feel within myself and my talents. This is a glorious moment of pause and reward.
As I continue to grow, I will celebrate often, daily even. Only I know what I’ve accomplished and if I don’t celebrate myself, no one will.
**Update: At the time this post was published, I was listening to “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker when I received an email confirming that the article I submitted will be published in April.
