Writer Life | Inspiration

Remember the Badassery That Got You Here

You’re the bomb diggity

It’s so easy to feel alone. It’s easy to feel like one voice against the world, one voice echoing in the void. Whether it’s online or IRL, the feeling of bantering into silence is one of the lostest feelings in the world. It’s in these times we all need to remember the badassery that got us where we are.

I don’t know you. I don’t know all you’ve been through, but I know what it is to want something so badly and feel so far from getting it at once.

Most of us are still holidaying. Hell, I’m still holidaying, but I decided to sit a spell and connect to the writer that was too overwhelmed by life to speak.

Today, I’m holidaying. But soon, it will be Monday again. The first Monday of the new year. It will be the beginning of a whole 365 more days of writing opportunity.

Next year, each and every one of us faces a multitude of opportunities to use our voices to our own ends. We get to choose whether we will stay true to our own voices or fall into the crush of voices shouting for attention instead of saying anything at all.

There’s a part of me that is thinking that I’ve dipped my feet into that crush and am being sucked down by it. As I sit here, I ask myself:

Do I want to be known? Or do I want to say something in my own voice?

I haven’t lost myself. Far from it. But this bit of time I’ve taken off has made me remember where I started and how much I’ve achieved since my writing career began in October.

That, Dear Friends, is where your badass LIVES.

You need to stop, take a breath, and remember the badassery that got you here because you are MEGA. You are fabulous.

Whether you are a writer, a reader, a photographer, a poet, or any other kind of doer, look at what it took to get you where you are. It wasn’t easy. I know it wasn’t because achieving something meaningful never is.

The easiest way to do this is to make a list. A real list with real words on it. Write it, publish it even. Share it with others so that they can see that others are DOING it right alongside you.

Will it sound like bragging? Absolutely. But you’re a badass surrounded by badasses. As badasses, we can take your success and hail you as the heroine or hero of your own life story that you are. It will fuel us.

We need your braggery, your badass braggery.

Taking stock of our accomplishments — The Prompt

What is one life event that happened this year that could have kept you from being where you are today, but did not (because you’re a badass)?

I have spent almost every day of my writing career in pain. One week after I quit my job in October, I decided to do the smart thing and “fix” a cracked tooth that was not yet causing me pain before it would.

Since then, I have endured a full crack, two crown appointments, multiple emergency appointments, two bouts of infection, and four trips to the root canal specialist, the last one yesterday where they had to literally put me under because my dental anxiety is so bad now I needed full sedation.

I hope it’s over. I really do. But I’m also proud. Through it all, I have things to show for my dedication to my new career.

What Medium numbers make you feel happy, accomplished, and stronger (more badass) than you were before?

1. In just over three months, I have gone from 85 followers to over two thousand.
2. I am an active member of the Medium Partner Program. The first part of September saw me defeated by my aim to reach the 100-follower pay mark, but I achieved it in the end! And now I make a bit of cash doing what I love.
3. I have written and published 261 stories.
4. One of my articles has made over $268 as of today!
5. In December alone, I have gotten over 10,000 views.
6. My highest number of views in one day was in November and I almost made it to 1500. Most of those views were because of the article I mentioned in number 4, but it remains the number to beat for me.
7. I spent most of the past three months writing and publishing 2–3 articles a day on a variety of subjects. I didn’t think I had that many words in me, but today I know that I do. I can write every day.

What non-numerical achievements make you a badass?

As far as my writing career, I am proud to have grown my following, written on a schedule, made new friends, created communities, and used a voice that is becoming more and more true.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made mistakes. I’ve left my voice in search of greener pastures. Each time I leave, I return knowing what works for me and what doesn’t.

In my life, I am still trucking along. It’s been a rough year and I’m happy to say that I’ve survived it.

1. Since June, I have been consistent in acknowledging my mental health journey.
2. I’m in therapy and it matters. I’m sifting through some real shit, but I know that the life I want to lead is a life of honoring the darkness and the light.
3. My home is gorgeous and cozy.
4. My Lover is everything. He’s my best friend, net of support, and playmate.
5. Our two dogs are happy and mostly healthy. They light up my days.
6. My body is recovering from an injury earlier this spring. This, too, is slow, but I can feel myself coming back into balance.
7. My and Jeremy’s families are helping me unlearn the trauma of my past. They show up for us and I love them for that.
8. Our trip to NYC a couple of weeks ago was a big life event. I still don’t know what it means, but you’ll be hearing about it when I do.

Describe your badassery in 10 words.

More than a survivor, I thrive each day I write.

What tips do you have for other badasses like you?

Slow down. Work smart. Spend more time reading and researching things and topics you love because that love spilling over is what makes words come quickly and naturally.

Find your voice by writing every day. Make mistakes. Keep writing even when the money isn’t rolling in.

Build a manageable routine that is laced with fun, relationships, and hobbies. Stick to your routine. Organize the hell out of your days. Take care of yourself first.

Go places that inspire you. Find and spend time with people who do the same. Make friends on Medium. Make them your network. Market them to other readers and writers.

Market yourself. Believe in your abilities. Trust your voice. Repeat.

You’re a badass. Welcome to this badass club. If you start to doubt yourself, remember the badassery that brought you here. And if that doesn’t work, look at the badasses around you and see that you’re not alone.

I’m Brett Jenae Tomlin, The Anxious Enthusiast.

**Save this article in your lists so that you can read it when you’re feeling low. I hope that some of my Medium friends will tag me in their badass articles.

I want to read about your badassery.

If you want to write about it, do the 5-question prompt above. I’m tagging my ToT family — let’s keep getting to know each other and growing our gatherings: Katie Michaelson, Valerie Spitaels, Adrienne Beaumont, Sarah Higgins, Rusty Shackleford, pockett dessert, JD Nealey, Keeley Schroder, Patricia Hamlett, Cody Kmochova, The Sturg, Benjamin Adler, Laure Dorsemaine, Celia McKinley, JK Mill, Denise Kendig, Autistic Widower (“AJ”), Ted Czukor, Daniella Montage, Paul Walker, Alex Praytor, Tai Le Grice, John Hansen, Gerald Washington, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Blogs by J, Ann Christine Tabaka, Kelley Murphy, Penelope Mayfield, JennX, Suzanne Mun, and Crystal Guthrie.

If you love, love, love my writing and want to shout out, “You get it, anxious girl!” You can contribute to my cookbook collection here or join Medium to put your own stamp on the web and the world. I get a little love if you use my link ^^