Over the 62 episodes we’ve produced, I’ve been lucky to talk with enough bloggers on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast that I do with Vicki Atkinson to know it’s a pretty universal experience that we felt that nervous feeling before pushing the “publish” button. Definitely for our first post – and for many subsequent posts as well.
It has me thinking about what the value of that “publish” button is for me. Would I get the same practice if I just wrote in journals every day? I don’t think so. Here’s why:
- When I write only for myself, I skip over details and assumptions. Publishing makes me consider a lot of additional angles and fill in what I assume I know.
- There’s an amount of risk that I get used to taking when I publish. I’m putting myself out there and that act is a little bit of bravery that adds up to more bravery muscles over time.
- I’m getting closer to figuring out what I’m good at. There are somethings that I know I’m good at – like memorizing license plates. I have no idea what that’s good for. I also know that I’m called to write and to encourage others. What is my real talent? I have no idea – but I’m getting closer by practicing.
Along these lines, I’ve been working on publishing one Instagram post a day. With two kids aged 4 years old and 8 years old, a 5 year old cat, and a 10 month old dog, I have plenty of material. So, I try to choose just one for a day and practice posting.
Why does it matter? It’s not like I have oodles of new followers or am building up a social media empire. But I am bearing witness to what life looks like for me. Every day. Not just on vacations or one-off outings. But every day.
You know what I’ve noticed? It gets easier. To recognize the sweet goodness in the ‘everydayness’ of my life. Here are three examples.
What about you? Do you find publishing is a beneficial practice for you? Why?
I’ve written a related post on my personal blog: Writing In the Dark
If you want to tune in to our podcast that features authors, bloggers, and artists, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. My other projects include my personal blog and being part of a team that teaches/speaks about corporate creativity. My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
(featured photo is from Pexels)
I haven’t published a blog post in a couple of weeks, but I’m doing a lot of writing that will end up as blog posts at some point in time. I appreciate this post. Food for thought for me right now 🙂
You make such a good point about writing that feeds the publishing process, Rhonda. Right! Sometimes it’s good just to capture things and then pull together later. Looking forward to what you publish when ready!
Oh…the sweetness of “everydayness”. I love that and your posts – of all sorts. I think you’re right. I find I take a breath, as if I’m about to plunge, diving-style, every time I hit ‘publish’ on any platform 😉. Cheers to being brave and vulnerable, I say. (Oh — and the license plate thing. Gah. That’s a skill and I can think of a couple of alternative career paths for you where that talent might come in handy, Inspector Wynne!) 🥰
Here’s the scary thing about the license plates – Miss O likes to do it too. For the record, I don’t do it much anymore. But she picked it up without me saying anything about it. Gah, indeed! 🙂 🙂
Isn’t that fun and fantastic!?!🥰😊🥰
Oh, yes, the fear of hitting the publish button. Oh, I’m familiar with that feeling. I can relate too to making certain assumptions in your personal writing. I notice that sometimes with my blog posts. I’ll forget to clarify or explain something and nine times out of ten readers will pick it up right away. They’ll ask a question or I can see that’s where folks got hung up on my piece. But you’re so right, you gotta keep hitting publish. Gotta keep getting up on the publish bike so that it feels comfortable!!! Love your IG posts. Cooper and Mr D and their cone conversation is a winner. I could easily see that winning a photo contest. 😎😎😎
“Getting up on the publish bike.” That’s so good, Brian! Yep, it builds muscle, right? Thanks, my friend!
Yes, publishing is a muscle. Use it or lose it, right. Ha, ha.
Exactly!!
There is something really powerful about the “publish” button, isn’t there? I was also the extremely shy kid, and then young adult. Starting a blog in my early-twenties was one of the most powerful tools to help me find my voice and feel comfortable in the real world (sort of lol!). So much benefit, truly.
Oh, what a great point about finding our voices — and getting comfortable being the ones doing the talking. So good, Erin!
I agree with you that I used to get nervous before clicking on publish. It does get easier. I’d say a prayer every week before I hit send emailing my parenting article that it would be well received. Yes, you’re correct, writing a blog is entirely different than writing in my journal. I a more focused, correct my errors and hope that others enjoy my work.
Yes, it does get easier. But I like your technique to say a prayer. That seems like good practice for all big efforts! Thanks, Elizabeth!
My journal writing is completely different. It jagged observations, notations, judgments but nothing is pulled together, deeply considered, or explored until I sit down to write a post and then I pour everything into the mix and hope it inspires someone. The publish button is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. What an honor it is to write and even more so to have people read and respond. Extraordinary. Hugs, C
The publish button is a privilege – yes! And I think it’s safe to say that your posts inspire many, dear Cheryl! Such an honor indeed – thank you for reading, my friend!
Yes! I have grown so much as a writer since I started my blog almost 5 years ago. I discovered a passion I never knew I had. And I’ve learned so much from the blogging community.
Growth and community – such great things! Thanks, Michelle!
I think I should take publishing easier in the sense that sometimes I miss spontaneity for the so many changes I made with editing. I start a post that ends up in a completely different one compared to the beginning. I’ll try to follow your way Wynne, thank you for inspiring me!
However you put your posts together, they are excellent, Cristiana. I like the point your make about following a post where it needs to go. That’s always a good practice. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you Wynne!
Intriguing content like ours