Lest anyone think that I’m completely fearless, here’s a little story.

I like writing to you.

I like sharing stories of people I talk to, you all are fascinating and brave.

And someone I had been following for a while had an offer of “Buy my thing and I’ll review some of your posts for you.”

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I sent off 2 posts to be reviewed.

And the feedback came back.

No big deal.

Except it was.

It triggered a horrific moment in a high school writing class.

The teacher asked if we could review one of my pieces anonymously.

I said ok.

The class destroyed it.

I was enjoying myself, because it was a pretentious, bad piece of writing and I was tearing it apart with everyone else.

And then the teacher turned and said “Amanda, as the author, what do you think?”

Shock, horror, shame.

I still feel the icy sensation of that moment.

(It’s the reason I have a bachelor’s in Physics- after that I never wanted to write another paper.)

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago.

I felt the sensation when I read the feedback from internet guy, but it passed quickly.

But then, it was weird, I just.. stopped writing.

I had ideas, I just didn’t sit down and write them.

It took me 1.5 weeks to go “what is going on here?”

And a couple more days to go “OHHH, that’s why.”

And then a few more days to start typing this.

So I’m back.

Hi!

And if you are going through a moment, let me know.

I’m here and I hear.

Mine took 2+ weeks.

It might not feel like it, but you can come out the other end, too.