I had these thoughts today as well, comparably over the same task - writing.
I got over it but boy did it sting today.
I'm looking forward to finishing an article in draft tomorrow for my publication "Failing to Succeed". Ironically, it untangles the hidden lessons in failure and the flawed narratives of success. We glorify achievement, but what if we’ve been telling the story all wrong? 🤔
It's so important how we talk to ourselves. After all, this is what we gonna end up believing. that's also why I like affirmations so much, I do believe they can helps us alter the way we talk and think
One thing about that inner voice that tells you you aren't good enough: It probably won't ever shut up, even if you ignore it. But it WILL seem quieter and less important if you just keep going!
“Allow yourself to suck” 👏👏👏 YES! While it may be simple, it soooo is not at the same time!! But when we can allow ourself to suck that means we are at least taking steps and not staying frozen with fear! I had just put a note out this morning about being stuck frozen with fear and how it was so ironic that our fears inevitably come to fruition if we stay frozen instead of taking the step! Yet it is so hard to not self sabotage ourselves by letting our stinkin thinkin win. Love this article!
Matt, i'm not a writer and I came to Substack at the end of July last year minus a few hurricanes and emergencies from family. I started writing. I don't have any form of training or anything and I have so much information for people that I just started doing it and I'll tell you the best thing to do is just to do it. I just lost the nephew due to a suicide and it was amazing that the writing brought so much comfort and also the community here what was wild was after I found out the news in the shock and everything that all of a sudden I just like started writing and couldn't stop for a while so you're gonna do great and the main thing I can say is just do it and you'll love the community here. It's very supportive 🤗💕🙏
Matt, first of all--thank you for your service! This is such a powerful reflection on the internal battle so many of us face when we create—especially when it comes to writing. Your honesty about fear, self-doubt, and that relentless inner critic is something every writer can relate to. But the way you frame action as the ultimate antidote is truly inspiring. The idea of using "mental Judo" to allow yourself to write badly just to keep going is such a brilliant approach—it removes the pressure of perfection and allows the creative process to unfold naturally.
Your words remind us that the only way to silence the demon is to do the work anyway. And the fact that this piece exists proves that you’ve already won.
My writing community calls them trolls. Our leaders keep a jar filled with those small trolls you can buy on their desks. When they come across a writer with a troll problem they sometimes pull one of of the jar and throw it over their shoulder!
This quote by Les Brown is a powerful reminder that progress starts with permission to be imperfect. Growth isn’t about getting it right the first time—it’s about showing up, learning, and improving along the way.
If demon is mainly expressing itself through fear, doubt and its critics are based on acquired behavior by what we've been taught to do or not to do in society, since our early childhood... if we inquire ourselves about the root causes of this demon's manifestations and accept our own fears and doubts, to resolve the inner conflict, it may save a lot of energy which now seems to be used for fighting against ourselves - against f.e. the beliefs we're taught but no longer agree with. Then about our fears. What is fear ? What are its root causes ? It seems mankind is still lost in becoming in stead of being and freeing itself from division and conflict. It's just a different view on the demon. A different way of "handling" it.
Sharing a nod and a thank you.
I had these thoughts today as well, comparably over the same task - writing.
I got over it but boy did it sting today.
I'm looking forward to finishing an article in draft tomorrow for my publication "Failing to Succeed". Ironically, it untangles the hidden lessons in failure and the flawed narratives of success. We glorify achievement, but what if we’ve been telling the story all wrong? 🤔
Fail well, my friend.
It's so important how we talk to ourselves. After all, this is what we gonna end up believing. that's also why I like affirmations so much, I do believe they can helps us alter the way we talk and think
One thing about that inner voice that tells you you aren't good enough: It probably won't ever shut up, even if you ignore it. But it WILL seem quieter and less important if you just keep going!
“Allow yourself to suck” 👏👏👏 YES! While it may be simple, it soooo is not at the same time!! But when we can allow ourself to suck that means we are at least taking steps and not staying frozen with fear! I had just put a note out this morning about being stuck frozen with fear and how it was so ironic that our fears inevitably come to fruition if we stay frozen instead of taking the step! Yet it is so hard to not self sabotage ourselves by letting our stinkin thinkin win. Love this article!
Matt, i'm not a writer and I came to Substack at the end of July last year minus a few hurricanes and emergencies from family. I started writing. I don't have any form of training or anything and I have so much information for people that I just started doing it and I'll tell you the best thing to do is just to do it. I just lost the nephew due to a suicide and it was amazing that the writing brought so much comfort and also the community here what was wild was after I found out the news in the shock and everything that all of a sudden I just like started writing and couldn't stop for a while so you're gonna do great and the main thing I can say is just do it and you'll love the community here. It's very supportive 🤗💕🙏
Matt, first of all--thank you for your service! This is such a powerful reflection on the internal battle so many of us face when we create—especially when it comes to writing. Your honesty about fear, self-doubt, and that relentless inner critic is something every writer can relate to. But the way you frame action as the ultimate antidote is truly inspiring. The idea of using "mental Judo" to allow yourself to write badly just to keep going is such a brilliant approach—it removes the pressure of perfection and allows the creative process to unfold naturally.
Your words remind us that the only way to silence the demon is to do the work anyway. And the fact that this piece exists proves that you’ve already won.
This is very relatable! Thanks for sharing ☀️💯🤍
Oh that darned demon. Maybe I’m old or maybe I’m just tired of listening to g to that voice. I tell them to STFU!🤣
My writing community calls them trolls. Our leaders keep a jar filled with those small trolls you can buy on their desks. When they come across a writer with a troll problem they sometimes pull one of of the jar and throw it over their shoulder!
This quote by Les Brown is a powerful reminder that progress starts with permission to be imperfect. Growth isn’t about getting it right the first time—it’s about showing up, learning, and improving along the way.
Image and title made me save this for when I have time to read
That was a fun read- well done. Our demons must know each other! They really try hard - but we won’t let them win.
Hi Debbie. My demons don't seem to be very social as they are always kicking around my head. Maybe they have secret lives when I'm sleeping. lol.
Nice to "meet" you, Debbie. Subscribed.
I want to invite you to join us at "Beyond Platitudes" . . . we are currently having "two-word" games where we then combine the results into a beautiful (imo) written art. Check it out: https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/a4b05b6f-100f-4477-9d5f-a4dc6fb973e7
If demon is mainly expressing itself through fear, doubt and its critics are based on acquired behavior by what we've been taught to do or not to do in society, since our early childhood... if we inquire ourselves about the root causes of this demon's manifestations and accept our own fears and doubts, to resolve the inner conflict, it may save a lot of energy which now seems to be used for fighting against ourselves - against f.e. the beliefs we're taught but no longer agree with. Then about our fears. What is fear ? What are its root causes ? It seems mankind is still lost in becoming in stead of being and freeing itself from division and conflict. It's just a different view on the demon. A different way of "handling" it.