The Privilege of Becoming: Doing Things Before You’re “Ready”

Last week I hosted a sound meditation for the launch of a new Chinese Medicine supplement called Nooci :)

At the party, there were writers and editors covering the product, and during some small talk, I met a contributor from Popsugar.

I mentioned that I’d written a piece on sound healing that was featured there last year, and her eyes immediately lit up.

“Oh, you’re a writer?” she asked.

And without thinking I said, “Well… I write, but I wouldn’t call myself a writer.”

The conversation shifted as we prepped for the meditation, and I never got the chance to circle back. 🌀

But over the next few days, that moment stuck with me.

Why was it so easy for me to claim the title of teacher, but so hard to say I’m a writer?

Maybe it’s imposter syndrome and the feeling that my little newsletter or blog don’t “count.” Or maybe it’s that invisible bar I think I have to reach before I can say the word out loud.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how silly that is. To me, writing feels like such a natural form of human expression, so while I’m not yet a writer, of course I’m a writer.

Just like I’m not a “singer,” but I sing, or I’m not a “dancer,” but I dance.

Do you see what I’m getting at?

There’s a practice in becoming, and in letting ourselves grow into the titles that once felt too big. 👠

This feeling of, I’m not “there” yet, and that being okay.

If yoga has taught me anything it’s that the process is the practice.

And as if my own noodling on this wasn’t enough…

This week I listened to the Las Culturistas podcast with Lady Gaga (highly recommend), and she said something that hit me:

She warms up her voice twice a day, practices piano every day, and still trains in the dance studio harder than ever. She said, “The privilege of being an artist is that you get to work on your craft.” 👩‍🎤

That line has been echoing in my mind ever since.

So I’ll leave you with a little heart-work this week:

What is your craft?

Cooking? Crocheting? Singing? Writing?

Are you winterizing your garden, or sifting through the thrift shop for the perfect lamp to complete your living room design?

Whatever it is, you owe it to yourself to make time for the practices that light you up.

It’s worth it to carve out time for your art.

Even if it’s in small bursts.

Even if it’s just a weekly blog post 😉

Even if you’re still figuring it out.

Go make something!

Hobbies make the world go ‘round. 🚴‍♂️

I love you,
Lindsay