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Writing Workshop: What if?

Posted by on Jan 28, 2010 in Me, Writing, Writing Workshop | 23 comments

Welcome back to the Writing Workshop link-up! At the bottom of this post you’ll find the widget to post the link to your workshop posts. It’s my turn first though, of course.

I’ve chosen a mixture of prompts of number 2 and 3. This is what the voices in my head assume. I guess some of them maybe right, but not as many as I think. I struggle with self-doubt like you wouldn’t believe. It pulls at me, twists me, undermines me, knocks me down. I wish I knew how to fight it but I haven’t figured out how yet. Until then it is a constant battle to not take that nagging voice too seriously. Not easy. Not easy at all…

____________________________________

If I had more money, I would be happier.
If I lost 10lbs, I would be sexier.
If I lived close to nature I would be healthier.
If I gave up blogging, life would be simpler.

If I could travel more, I would be more interesting.
If I read more, I would be more impressive.
If I wrote more, I would be more successful.
If I slept more, I would be more productive.

If I learnt to spell and didn’t mix my words, people would respect me more.
If I were funnier, wittier, prettier, people would like me more.
If I published something, people would admire me more.
If I had a brand new wardrobe, people would notice me more.

If I owned my own house, I would feel more like a grown-up.
If I had another baby, maybe, I would feel more complete.
If people didn’t treat me like a child, I would feel more confident.
If I could learn to let go, I would feel more at peace.

If I don’t get an A, my parents would be disappointed.
If I don’t get to see my name in print, I will be laughed at.
If I don’t get a good job, people will think I am a loser.
If I don’t get a degree, I will always feel inferior.

If I had a new hoover, my house would gleam.
If I had expensive beauty products, I would be beautiful.
If I had a smart sophisticated hair-do, people would take me seriously.
If I had more time, I would be going places.

If I could beat my insecurities there would be no stopping me.

If I could get over myself nothing would stand in my way.

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So now it’s your turn!

Writing Workshop Badge

1. Tell me about a time where you refused to compromise.
- Inspired by Jo at Slummy Single Mummy and her post: ‘The sacrifices you make as a parent – and the ones you won’t…’

2. What do people always wrongly assume about you?
- Inspired by Bare-Naked Mummy’s Welsh people are NOT posh!

3. What have the voices in your head been saying lately?
- Inspired by Manic Mummy’s blog post: ‘Is it me, or…’

4. Your prompt is ‘Together’. Share a scene or write something that encapsulates this feeling for you.
- Inspired by Noble Savage’s beautiful post: ‘Sunday Mothering’

5. What exciting job would you like to do for a day?
- Inspired by my poetical musings this week.

Leave your name and the URL to your post in the MckLinky below (the URL should be to your post not just to your blog) andleave me a comment to let me know you’ve taken part. If you have the time it would be great if you could try and read and comment on at least two other entries. And be kind! It’s supposed to be a bit of fun – we’re not looking for the next Booker Prize winner here!

If you haven’t had chance to respond yet, then you’ve still got today! Or just wait till next week, when there’ll be five brand new prompts to get you thinking.

This Writing Workshop is brought to you in association with Mama Kat’s Losin’ It – who’s lovely author came up with the concept and runs her own workshop over in the U.S.

Related posts:

  • http://itsasmallworldafterallfamily.wordpress.com Victoria

    Why are the voices in our heads so negative? Maybe people who are relentlessly confident and positive have no ambition to be good writers?

    [Reply]

    The Moiderer Reply:
    January 28th, 2010 at 10:25 am

    @Victoria, I think you’re right. I also think there is no such thing as someone who is relentlessly confident and positive (well very few anywyay) I think there are people that are very good at appearing that way though
    .-= The Moiderer´s last blog ..20 questions to get to know you =-.

    [Reply]

    Heather Reply:
    January 28th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    @The Moiderer, just what i was thinking! Some are just better at hiding it, i think.

    [Reply]

  • http://cafebebe.co.uk Karin @ Cafe Bebe

    I think we all could be sisters…sigh! Why oh why do we do this to ourselves. I’m just hoping I don’t get lots of followers for Mental Health! ;) Love your writing…you are a star.
    Karin
    .-= Karin @ Cafe Bebe´s last blog ..All the Single Ladies =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.themoiderer.com The Moiderer

    I love your writing workshops – they open up so many new blogs to me
    .-= The Moiderer´s last blog ..20 questions to get to know you =-.

    [Reply]

    Claire Reply:
    January 29th, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    @The Moiderer,
    My thoughts exactly! This is why I’ve always been a lurker
    .-= Claire´s last blog ..Writing Workshop: Together =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.slummysinglemummy.wordpress.com Slummy Single Mummy

    They are always negative aren’t they? I think so many of those all the time, particularly the ones about needing to do interesting things, travel more (or at all!) and be somehow more successful…

    [Reply]

  • http://themadhouse-themadhouse.blogspot.com TheMadHouse

    I think that sometimes the negative voices shout louder than the positive ones, they are the ones that stand at the front of the queue. I try so hard not to hear them and focus on the positive.
    .-= TheMadHouse´s last blog ..Budget Pouches and Cash Budgeting =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.themoiderer.com The Moiderer

    Gosh, when I looked at the topics for this weeks workshop I must admit I struggled. And now, I am reading all the entries and am genuinely moved. This is great – another great workshop Josie
    .-= The Moiderer´s last blog ..20 questions to get to know you =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://grancanlife.blogspot.com/ Madame C

    Ah but we are our own worst critics aren’t we? Never organised, interesting, well-read, groomed, whatevered enough. I don’t think everyone else is going round giving us marks out of 10, they are too busy worrying about the voices in their heads!
    .-= Madame C´s last blog ..Learning together =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.chicmama.net Chic Mama

    A great post, If only…eh? Lots of what you have in your poem I aspire to as well, lots I’ve had and it doesn’t necessarily bring happiness or beauty or respect unfortunately. :0(
    I hope you are feeling a bit better today? x

    [Reply]

  • http://mwaonline.blogspot.com Mwa

    I’m always feeling like that, but then when I write these things down, they seem so silly and that helps me to move on. I hope it does the same for you.
    .-= Mwa´s last blog ..Pregnancy (with photo) and poo (without photo for once) =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.notesfromlapland.blogspot.com Heather

    If only. I feel like this a lot, I try to shake it off, tell myself that i am just fine as i am and sometimes it works, sometimes.

    Well written and expressed.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.usebefore.blogspot.com Vegemitevix

    Oh Josie, if only you knew how much of that is in my head. Can’t seem to stop crying today. x

    [Reply]

  • http://theprettygoodlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-you-realise-that-you-are-going-to-be.html Sarah

    After being inspired by all the blogs that you have been the catalyst for this week I decided to join the ranks and have set up a new blog to follow your workshop. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Sarah
    .-= Sarah´s last blog ..How do you feel about 40? =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.mommyhasaheadache.blogspot.com EmmaK

    So interesting to read about other people’s voices in their heads. Mine are not so much voices of self doubt as a chorus of chattering chipmunks driving me insane and preventing me from focussing on becoming a writer!
    http://mommyhasaheadache.blogspot.com/2010/01/lunatic-is-in-my-head.html

    [Reply]

  • http://mdplife.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-not-just-fat-i-have-problem.html Michelle

    I have been wanting to join a writers worshop for the last couple of weeks and I also struggled when I first saw the prompts and then read the inspiring blog entrys and just knew what I had to say (as much to myself as anyone else! lol) Thanks, Mich x
    .-= Michelle´s last blog ..I’m not just fat, I have a problem… =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://emmalouise1978.blogspot.com/ Emma-Lou

    As always, loving them all! How refreshing to know I’m not alone with my insecurities.
    Only a brief blog from me this week. Snowed under, but I hope you enjoy anyway.

    [Reply]

  • http://emmalouise1978.blogspot.com/ Emma-Lou

    PS – I loved post number 1 – the Voices in my head.
    .-= Emma-Lou´s last blog ..Don’t judge me on first impressions (although mine of you was probably right) =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://hearth-mother.blogspot.com/ Hearth-mother

    It’s so telling, isn’t it – and I could tick agreement to most of the things on your list. Especially the first two, the money and the 10lb.
    .-= Hearth-mother´s last blog ..Going Postal =-.

    [Reply]

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  • http://sandycalico.blogspot.com/ SandyCalico

    “If ifs and ands were pots and pans, we’d have no need for tinkers”
    Pauline Fowler – 1986
    xxx
    .-= SandyCalico´s last blog ..Almost Wordless Wednesday – Gallery Cash =-.

    [Reply]

  • http://lifeslightlyused.wordpress.com/ april

    Oh hon – with you on all of it actually – where did you get my list from??? *hugs* very brave to face that stuff.

    [Reply]

  • http://notestoselfplustwo.blogspot.com/ Notes and Red Shoes

    First time I have joined – excellent – thank you.

    A post about the voices in my head, about me, my job and my pending baby …
    http://notestoselfplustwo.blogspot.com/2010/01/me-my-job-and-little-baby-just-to-be.html
    .-= Notes and Red Shoes´s last blog ..Week 17, so so hungry =-.

    [Reply]

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