Writing a Book is Scary!

I remember listening to an author speak several years ago, telling the audience that you shouldn’t write a book because you want to write a book. You should write a book because you have something to say. Well, I had something to say. As I learned about positive psychology through my research, I tried out some of the practices and my well-being started to improve. I was happier and less stressed than I had been in years. I felt a greater sense of meaning and direction in my life.

I eagerly shared what I was learning with my friends, but I wanted more people to know about the simple, yet powerful ways we can transform our lives for the better. The best way to do that would be to write a book.

But I was nervous. I didn’t want to be judged. What if people didn’t like what I had to say? What if they thought I wasn’t a good writer? I decided to test the waters by writing a blog. That was pretty safe because very few people read it in the beginning.

Then some readers started telling me that my blog had helped them. I felt like I was making a difference by sharing what I was learning. That’s when I realized that my desire to help others was stronger than my desire to protect my ego.

Writing makes you vulnerable. Putting yourself out there to be judged when you fear you aren’t good enough is scary! But I decided that as long as my writing helps one other person, then it is worth it. In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown says that when we try to keep ourselves from feeling vulnerable, we miss out on experiences that can bring meaning to our lives.

So I did it! I’ve written my first book, Beyond Happy: Women, Work, and Well-Being. It feels really good to be living my truth, doing what I can to help others find joy and meaning in their lives.

What about you? How is avoiding vulnerability keeping you from doing something meaningful?