Celebration Writing

I am currently listening to a book called Unbound.

In this book, she suggests starting a celebration journal.
This might not seem revolutionary to you, but for me, it has been a game-changer.
I have been filling up journals for almost 30 years, not to age myself or anything, but that’s a long time.
Not once in these 30 years have I written things I am celebrating about myself.

How to Build Self-Esteem or How to Improve Self-Esteem

In my early 30s, after a couple defatting relationships, I started googling self-esteem.
I knew mine was low, but I had no clue how to improve it.
How was I 32 and feeling down on myself for everything?
Part of it was that I moved 7 times in one year.
Part of it was learned.
Part of it was my brain wiring.
It’s hard to build up a business when you feel worthless.
When you feel that the last decade and a half of learning is worth nothing.

Here’s how I rebuilt my self-worth

So I listened to YouTube videos of people talking about self-esteem and confidence.
Then I leaned into affirmations because Google said positive self-talk helps, and affirmations had helped me in the past.
I listened to this video every day for months.
I started walking or working out daily.
I dragged my tired, sad, withdrawn body to slam poetry nights at East Village.
I helped start up a writing group.
I wrote endlessly.
I filled up gratitude journals, wrote my first novel, Take Me Away with You, wrote my second book, a book of poetry, Sunshine by Design.
Wrote all of my negative feelings out like vomit on the page.
I found a cognitive behavioral therapist to work with.
I fell in love with a kind-hearted, sweet, secure man who saw my worth even when I couldn’t.

Here’s what I wish I added to help build confidence and self-esteem as an adult

A celebration journal!
Having a celebration journal has me seeing what I do and have done
It has me congratulating myself