Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Hey all! Welcome to the first Insecure Writer's Support Group session for 2014. For those of you who are new to this community, I thought I'd copy what the host, Alex J. Cavanaugh wrote about it:

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.


My insecurity... 

It's... another messy one, ladies and gents. Once again, I can't go into too much description, but... 

I have a bad feeling. Nothing concrete, but I can't shake it. Nothing's proving me right (yet). But nothing's proving me wrong either. The big thing is: I'm not the only one with the bad feeling. 

The sucky thing is that right now, I can't do anything about it. Not until I've received some sort of confirmation. So I'm pretty much spending my time focusing on not thinking about it. When I do, I pray about it. 

See, I believe that bad feelings don't come for no reason. I also believe that my writing career thus far has been in God's hands, so if there's something wrong, He'll help me find a way to fix it. 

It's a helpful belief to have. For the time being, I'm still able to focus my thoughts on creative activities. In particular, writing. But that said, I do feel my concerns gnawing at me. 

Do you believe your bad feelings?

38 comments:

  1. Remember perfect love casts out all fear. I hope the manifestation of your emotions is not as harsh as you fear.

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  2. I'll trust my gut before anyone else. It's got a better track record for being proved right. :)

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  3. There is an acronym I like: F.E.A.R = False Evidence Appearing Real. I try to remember this when my fear gets a hold of me and won't let go. I have learned to listen to the fear only in that it goads me on to think outside the proverbial box. Go girl, you can do this!

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  4. Julie Luek said it right: perfect love casts out all fear :)

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  5. Faith and fear can't exist at the same time. Just hold on to the faith that God is bigger than any fear.

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  6. I understand the bad feelings thing. I have gotten to where I know, no matter what comes I will take it head on and push through to the other side. Faith always helps. Hope everything turns out well.

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  7. Yes - I'm always trying to trust my gut, and listen to my instincts. It's incredibly important. That being said, Lisa has a good point!! The trouble for me comes when I confuse fear - or, on the other side, hope - with my gut instinct. It can be really, really hard to tease them apart. Good luck, though, and I'll be thinking of you!

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  8. Julie and Alex...what they said. The fear is counterproductive. Don't listen to it.

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  9. I know what you're saying about bad inner warnings. You're right to pay attention. Just pray.

    Hugs and chocolate!

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  10. Sometimes bad feelings are just that. Is this a gut feeling? I always go with my gut. But not with my worries. Too often worries, or bad feelings, turn out to be nothing but a waste of negative thoughts and energy. If it's your gut, then listen to it. I hope everything works out for the best, Misha.

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  11. I do believe in bad feelings and I hope yours is nothing too big. You have a wonderful attitude about it, which is admirable. Wishing you all the best.

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  12. I'm sorry you are struggling with this but glad that you have your faith to hold on to. No matter what happens you'll be okay, I'm sure of it.

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  13. Sometimes bad feeling are just our mind playing tricks on us. Think positive and have faith, Misha.

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  14. Yes, a bad feeling can be a portent... And, you can also imagine/think yourself into a state where the bad thing actually happens. It's like you draw negative energy to yourself. So... remember to breathe and find something of true importance to work on, something that is positive.

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  15. Cryptic much? ;)

    I do believe in bad feelings. Sometimes you just know something is off or wrong. I hope everything works out for the best, Misha!

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  16. I think bad feelings can be important, but I'm someone who worries a lot, so I often get them without need. I hope it's nothing too bad!

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  17. Sometimes the bad feelings just come for no reason - though this is coming from someone who suffers from anxiety! Usually there's no cause, and the best thing to do is ignore it. Hope things turn out well!

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  18. I do believe in it. But I also believe we can push through. Best of luck, I hope it turns out well. Hugs!

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  19. I agree with your sentiments on Bad Feelings. We don't get them for no reason. Someone or something is doing something that is evoking that feeling in you. (Think about when we give our characters feelings of doom or dread. There is always a reason for it. It also becomes the thing that they need to overcome.) That said, a bad feeling that gives a less than stellar result is not all bad. It is the obstacle, the challenge, the thing that makes us better. Maybe we can learn from our characters.

    What I am saying is that no matter how this shakes out, I know that you will Overcome it.

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  20. I try to ignore bad sentiments and look to the positive. That doesn't mean I always succeed, and yes, I worry probably more than your average bear, but worry is a negative emotion that accomplishes no good. I think placing things in the Lord's hands and trusting that whatever comes is according to his plan, that's really the only way to go forward. Here's hoping things turn out for the best.

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  21. Bad feelings are almost always just paranoia.
    Except when someone really is trying to kill you.

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  22. Hmm, unless you have a concrete reason to believe them, I'd try to put them out of your mind and focus on the positive.

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  23. Not unless I have a reason to. Naggy feelings on a project mean something. Life has enough crap, so I like to shove bad feeling away. Hope your'e feeling better.

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  24. Be aware but keep moving forward. As you said, God will get you through it.

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  26. Those bad feelings have the tendency to grow into monsters lurking under beds. I occasionally go into disaster mode when I get bad feelings, and it takes stepping away and talking to my close, trusted friends to help calm me down and restore my confidence. Keep praying and I hope things look up soon!

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  27. Trust your instincts. Keep an eye out but don't let it be a damper on your life.

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  28. I hope it turns out to be nothing! Prayer can help, and trying to take it one day at a time. There is some old saying that most of the things we worry about never happen...

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  29. You can never go wrong with prayer. Hang in there!

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  30. I hope your bad feeling goes away soon. When it gets really bad, just remember to breathe slowly and go easy on yourself. Hang in there!

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  31. Sometimes it's hard to push back that time sucker, doubt. But we have to learn to work around it to succeed.

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  32. Gee, Misha...

    I hope it all works out for you. Sending lots of positive energy your way!

    Hang in there... God always takes care of us....

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  33. I understand the vibe of bad feelings, and can get the "where there's smoke there's fire" shudders. I can dwell on it while waiting for the ax to fall...ruining my day (and usually those around me, too), or I can unplug from the negative and plug into the positive.

    Lean not unto your own understanding. After all, it's not even an issue yet, whatever "it" is. You and God will cross that bridge when you get to it.

    M.L. Swift, Writer: The Best is Yet to Come

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  34. Hi Misha,

    Of course, you have choices. One can let the bad feelings dominate and sabotage the good feelings that are there waiting patiently in the background. I know that bad feelings can well be telling lies.

    Learn those lessons from the bad feelings, my friend. The realistic positive anticipation will outweigh the negative speculation.

    Now then, go and have a nice weekend. That's an order! :)

    Gary

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  35. I hope things go well for you. I definitely have that feeling sometimes. Is it weird that it makes me want to compulsively clean and tidy? :)

    I think there's a lot of wisdom in the idea that we can choose to overcome whatever bad comes at us.

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  36. Its natural to build up bad feelings until your full of anxiety and it seems insurmountable, then you pass the challenge and think... I really shouldnt have stressed :) day by day, worry about tomorrow later, and if bad things do arise, move forward :)

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  37. I have learned to always trust my gut instinct. When I have ignore it in the past, things have gone terribly wrong.

    Be patient. You'll get through it.

    Good Luck!

    Leanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com/ )

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