The Truth About Writing Poetry
how can I start something new
when I can’t let go
of what I’ve already done?
I cannot think of a better way to complete this blog series than to share a bit about my relationship with poetry. At first glace this topic may seem random, but if you’ve been alongside me for the past six years, poetry may feel like the most natural thing to discuss next. Let me explain…
I have struggled, like many of us, with anxiety and low self-esteem. I have spent the past decade in and out of therapy and practicing various mindfulness techniques. I am dedicated to feeling better and letting myself evolve. My work has always reflected this mentality.
When launching my wellness program back in 2020 I found that writing the workbook was my favorite part of the entire process. While running the program, I realized that I was being pulled away from the thing I wanted to do most: write.
I never considered myself a writer, but was one anyway. Writing snuck up on me, gently pulling me toward it as my eyes locked ahead, committed to the things I thought I wanted to be doing. It waited patiently for me to relax and see.
Over the years, my writing has evolved, steering me towards simplicity and truth, to poetry. As a chronic overthinker, getting to the heart of what I’m feeling, experiencing or questioning is a sort of medicine for me. I think life prescribed me poetry. And I am grateful.
Only looking back, can I see the fine thread that weaves poetry through my work’s evolution: the poems I wrote and read aloud for each retreat, the poems that introduced a new section in my first book, the poems I write and record into guided meditations, and the poems that introduce each blog post here.
In recent years, poetry has acted as a lifeline as I went through pregnancy loss and, finally, the successful pregnancy of my daughter. Poems that would, one day, be curated into a manuscript and sent off to publishers. Poems that will, one day I hope, take form of a small book and be placed into the hands of another mother who has faced loss too.
So, where do we go from here now that this blog series has concluded? We go to the next, and the next and the next. I’ll be over on Insight Timer, making new meditations. I’ll be submitting my first poetry book about pregnancy and pregnancy loss to publishers. I will be writing new poetry books. I will be looking into a new email platform (same vibe, better space). New projects are underway, and you will be the first to know. I am grateful to be growing alongside you. Thanks for reading and talk soon.
Torey
P.S. I’m not on social media and rely on the growth of this community to spread through word of mouth! I invite you to join if you haven’t already (scroll down) and share with someone in your life who would also enjoy. Thank you!
