Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: inner critic

  • The Unseen Beauty of a Truly Crappy First Draft

    The Unseen Beauty of a Truly Crappy First Draft



    My Love-Hate Relationship with First Drafts

    Oh, first drafts. We’ve had a tumultuous relationship, you and I. It usually starts with such promise, a spark of an idea, a blank page full of hope. Then, somewhere between the second paragraph and the sudden urge to reorganize my sock drawer, things go downhill. Fast.

    I’m talking about those drafts where the sentences stumble around like toddlers after a sugar rush. Where the plot resembles a tangled ball of Christmas lights after a particularly enthusiastic unpacking. The ones that make you question your sanity, your talent, your very existence as a writer.

    first drafts: they’re supposed to be crappy. It’s like giving yourself permission to be bad, to suck, to write without the pressure of perfection. And in that freedom, something magical happens.

    Suddenly, it’s not about crafting beautiful sentences or intricate plot twists. It’s about getting the story out of your head and onto the page, no matter how messy or chaotic it may be. It’s about silencing that inner critic and letting the words flow freely, without judgment.

    Finding the Diamonds in Your First Draft

    Now, I’m not saying that every crappy first draft is a masterpiece in disguise. Some are just plain bad. But within that mess, hidden amongst the awkward phrasing and plot holes the size of Texas, are little gems of brilliance.

    It might be a particularly poignant sentence, a character interaction that crackles with energy, or a plot twist that even you didn’t see coming. These are the diamonds in the rough, the nuggets of gold that make sifting through the muck worthwhile.

  • The Day My Inner Voice Became a Real Person (and Why I Kind of Hate It)

    The Day My Inner Voice Became a Real Person (and Why I Kind of Hate It)


    We all have that little voice inside our heads, right? The one that narrates our lives, offers (often unwanted) opinions, and occasionally bursts into song at the most inopportune moments. Well, mine decided to become a real person. And no, it’s not nearly as cool as it sounds.

    “You’re Wearing *That*?” – The Day My Inner Critic Came to Life

    It all started innocently enough. I was staring into my closet, crippled by the age-old question: “What do I wear?” Suddenly, a voice boomed from the corner, “Seriously? The floral dress again? You look like a walking garden gnome.”

    I whirled around, expecting to see a judgmental fashionista, but there was… nothing. Just a pile of neglected gym clothes silently judging me from the floor. That’s when it hit me: my inner voice had somehow manifested in the real world. And it sounded suspiciously like my snarky Aunt Mildred.

  • The Day My Inner Voice Became an Actual Person (and Why I Now Need a Restraining Order)

    The Day My Inner Voice Became an Actual Person (and Why I Now Need a Restraining Order)



    The Day My Inner Voice Became a Person (and Why I Need a Restraining Order)

    We all have that voice inside our heads, right? That little narrator who provides a running commentary on our lives, offering unsolicited advice, witty comebacks we think of too late, and a whole lot of judgment. Well, mine decided to become a corporeal being. And friends, let me tell you, it’s been absolute chaos ever since.

    “You Should Really Get More Fiber” – My Inner Voice, Now Personified

    It started innocently enough. I was at the grocery store, agonizing over which brand of almond butter was ethically sourced and wouldn’t break the bank (adulting is hard, okay?). Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “You know, peanut butter is cheaper and has more protein.”

    I assumed it was just another grocery store philosopher, because those seem to be everywhere these days. But when I turned around, there was…no one. Just then, the voice whispered in my ear, “And you should really get more fiber in your diet.”

  • The Day My Inner Voice Became My Outer Voice (and Why I Don’t Regret It)

    The Day My Inner Voice Became My Outer Voice (and Why I Don’t Regret It)




    The Day My Inner Voice Became My Outer Voice (and Why I Don’t Regret It)

    The Infamous Grocery Store Incident

    Picture this: me, standing in the frozen food aisle, desperately searching for the elusive veggie burgers. I’m talking about the kind that actually have some semblance of flavor, not those cardboard imposters. Suddenly, a wild Karen appears, pushing her overflowing cart with the grace of a rhinoceros on roller skates. She rams me into the freezer door with a grunt and then, without a word, starts pilfering the last of the (you guessed it) good veggie burgers.

    Now, my inner voice, let’s call her Sasha Fierce, was LIVID. “Excuse me?!” Sasha boomed, “You just assaulted me for a veggie burger! And not even the good kind, I might add!”

    For years, Sasha had been relegated to the sidelines, offering her colorful commentary solely within the confines of my skull. But something about Karen’s audacity, her blatant disregard for frozen food etiquette, flipped a switch. And for the first time ever, Sasha Fierce became my outer voice.

    Voice (and Unexpected High Fives)

    Let me tell you, watching Karen’s face morph from entitled indignation to wide-eyed shock was almost worth the near-death experience by freezer burn. Did I handle the situation perfectly? Absolutely not. Was my outburst a tad dramatic? Probably. But you know what? It felt damn good.

    And the unexpected bonus? Other shoppers, who had clearly fallen victim to Karen’s reign of grocery-getting terror, looked at me with a newfound respect. One brave soul even offered me a high five! It was then I realized that sometimes, the things we’re most afraid to say are the things others are dying to hear.

    Embracing Authenticity: How to Channel Your Inner Sasha Fierce

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for a world where everyone runs around unleashing their unfiltered thoughts like toddlers on a sugar rush. There’s a time and a place for everything, and tact is still a valuable social currency.

    But since that fateful day in the frozen food aisle, I’ve made a conscious effort to bridge the gap between my inner and outer voice. I’ve learned to:

    • Speak up for myself: No more shrinking violet routine when someone disrespects my time, opinions, or personal space.
    • Embrace authenticity: Life’s too short to pretend to be someone I’m not, even if it makes others uncomfortable. (Sorry not sorry, I will never understand the appeal of Crocs.)
    • Use humor as my weapon of choice: Because honestly, who doesn’t love a well-placed witty retort? (Unless it’s directed at them, then maybe not so much.)