How I Stopped Censoring Myself

Last week I sent an article draft to someone close to me asking for feedback. I got some great tips on structure which after applying I felt were really useful, helping my story to flow and land better.

However, the next piece of feedback I received was that my article was “limiting itself” and the reason it was limiting itself was because I boldly called out my target audience. This meant that others that didn’t fit under that would feel left out.

I took this feedback a lot harder than the others and it’s been weighing on me for days.

I talked about why I mentioned certain groups of people and that they were only examples. I wanted to reach different kinds of people with different struggles but those happened to be the ones closest to home for me. After all, it was where my story started.

Later on, after thinking long and hard about it, I decided to remove that part of my story. But straight away the article fell flat and lost its meaning. It was just another wishy-washy piece that felt vague and uninspired.

From that moment my story died and it never should have.

We all have a story to tell. Now more than ever I think it’s important to note that as we stare fear and censorship in the face, realise you don’t have to stay silent. Your story is sacred and if you need to tell it. Tell it.

I’m currently reworking mine and adding the meaning back into it. It might limit my audience or it could help inspire more people.

I’m not writing for everyone. I’m writing for that one person who feels unheard. And I want you to know: I hear you.