Before my @drracheknightley Instagram became a pro account, the bio said ‘Loves cheese, cats and coffee.’ Then I added ‘vegan’ before cheese, because I’d given up dairy. Then I took vegan out again, because as Poppy (played by the magnificent Holly Gillanders, who happened to introduce me to instagram!) would go on to say in my audio drama Winter Spring, “There’s no such thing as real cheese. It’s not like apples or sunlight. Humans invented it… If we use cow or cashew milk it’s no more or less real.” Then I deleted cheese, cats and coffee entirely and replaced them with Author and Coach.
Then, as I got to feel more at home on Instagram, I noticed all three coming back. They weren’t back in the bio, but they were in the visuals of my life and work. It wasn’t deliberate, but what I was sharing was authentic. As a result, there they were, over and over again. Because it was true. I do love cheese, cats and coffee.
I’ve been thinking a lot his week about what it means to feel at home in our life and work. How we build that home, one authentic step at a time. When clients come to clarify the writing voice they want to unlock, it’s sometimes for their fiction and non-fiction, or for their public speaking and social media voice. Whether it’s for life, work or art, the work we do together is based on who they truly are and how truly at home they want to be in what they do, say, write and live. The reason these things (creative writing, social media presence, job interviews, you name it) get easier is when we speak from a place of authenticity then performance means doing, not pretending. We’re showing up authentically.
When we don’t yet feel at home in our self-expression, it’s hard to imagine feeling different is possible.
Which can mean we focus on others’ expectations – or, let’s be honest, our own picture of those expectations! – and create our own monsters, our own reasons to stay quiet, or stay stuck.
But it’s not only possible – it’s wonderful.
And once the itch is there, once that call to adventure is heard, it’s time to get curious. Authentically curious. What do I love? What do I enjoy? What do I offer? How we move that message out and build our own audience starts with how we make ourselves at home in who we are.
The Writers’ Gym membership platform will be a year old next month. I’m so proud of every single person in it.
I’m proud of how everyone has dared to turn distant dreams into specific goals, and step into the habits that mean achieving them. Whether you join us for the Writing Room (free every Monday, for everyone on this mailing list), as a member, a one-to-one client, or are just curious about what you’re ready to create, I’m so glad you’re here. And I’m here to help you love being authentically you.
Audio Drama is on a half-term break this week but join me in person at Write, Sip, Create at the Century Club, 28 February 7-8.30pm and Coffee & Creativity at Olympic Studios, 7 March, 10-11.30am or online here:
Come and Write This Week:
The Writing Room | 11am-1pm Monday 17 February
Free for everyone on my mailing list (if you’re reading this, that’s you!). No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and ten minutes’ (totally optional) chat together at the end. Click here.
Coffee & Creativity | 1-2.30pm Wednesday 19 February
Hosted by Writers’ Gym staff member, Bella Barbieri. Quality writing time and excellent company! Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Free for members: type your discount code where indicated. Click here.
Writing Room EXTRA | 3-5pm Thursday 20 February
Members only: please check Voxer messages.
You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session. Just sign up for any session. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other events, email thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com or download a brochure at writersgym.com
If you’re not in the UK, find your timezone here.
Want to bring more of yourself into your life, work and art? Get in touch.
For Writers’ Gym personal training or creative confidence coaching for life, work and art, email info@rachelknightley.com or visit rachelknightley.com