Life Has Changed Since I Followed My Intuition and Started Sharing My Story
Why the Dancing Elephant Press should consider me for the Dep Book Project
My name is Yana and I am a personal story writer. If you asked me a year ago if I would consider sharing my life experiences with the world, I would probably have been horrified by the idea.
The self-critic in me would have had a field day:
“What would the family think!”
“What would coworkers think!”
“What would the ‘neighbors’ think!”
I think the main reason I felt that way was out of fear of being judged and ridiculed or even ostracized for daring to speak up and letting the world know that, contrary to carefully maintained outward appearances, everything was far from okay.
However, I’m glad I decided to follow my instinct and write about how it feels like to be caught up in the throes of depression. I told my story through my houseplant, Cody, who refused to quit on life despite being unloved, abandoned, and uncared for.
I didn’t expect anyone to read my article. Instead, I took comfort in the fact that I, a shy introvert, had found the courage to put my thoughts and emotions into words.
Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I started receiving comments from readers who related to my and Cody’s plight.
It was a life-changing realization for me. I mean, I am constantly inspired by other people’s life stories but to think that I could be part of that — to be able to inspire and convey the message that wherever you may be and however bleak your situation may look like to you — please do not give up for there is hope — is something I have come to embrace as my mission and purpose in life.
Along the way, I am surprised and grateful to have found supportive, like-minded people who understand that life is so much more than mere appearances, more than just what is observed through the filters which we like to present ourselves to the world just because we fear we will be judged for being less than perfect.
Healing cannot happen when there is no self-acceptance or self-love — because then we are unable to accept that it is okay to be imperfect, to have flaws, to be broken, and most importantly to seek help.
In my experience, life is seldom easy. Perhaps it is because I didn’t have healthy coping mechanisms or the proper guidance on how to deal with difficult situations when I was younger that I had to deal with depression and Fibromyalgia later on. But I certainly hope that by writing about these things that I can not only raise awareness but also let others in similar situations know that they are not alone.
Both as a writer and woman, I am on a journey of self-discovery — constantly learning new things not only about myself but about the world around me and growing from it. None of this would have been possible if I didn’t choose to be open to change, to explore new possibilities, to believe happiness is not something that happened only to others, and most of all to speak up.
There can indeed be beauty from ashes — I would know because I am a living example of it.
For this, I have my faith, support group, loving friends, and most of all inspiring stories to be grateful for.
What better way than to pay it forward by continuing to write, encourage and uplift?
And that is what makes me super excited to want to be considered for the Dancing Elephant Press book project!
Recently, Sharing Randomly tagged me in a post which immediately grabbed my attention. It was about an exciting new book project that the Dancing Elephant Press pub has in the works. Once I read about it, I just knew this is something I would love to be a part of!
I have often wondered about the backstory behind the name the “Dancing Elephant Press” as I find it fascinating! That and the fact that I have gotten to know its Editor-in-chief, Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi through her stories and interacting with her on Medium have spiked my curiosity about this pub.
Add in the two other editors of the pub, Sharing Randomly and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles and it certainly is starting to feel like home😊