Food for the Writer’s Soul at the 3rd Annual Eat & Greet by LaDarrius “LHUT” Hutcherson

On Sunday, February 22, I had the chance to attend the Third Annual Eat & Greet event, hosted by popular content creator LaDarrius “LHUT” Hutcherson.

The event was a celebration of LHUT’s debut book, Bloom Where You’re Planted, which tells his story and how he is building the life of his dreams, growing his influence, and making an impact all in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. (Learn more about LHUT’s book in my latest article for The Birmingham Times.)

But LHUT told me that he wanted this year’s Eat & Greet event to inspire attendees to bloom where they’ve been planted, too.

So, while the event served up delicious food and drinks, LHUT wanted attendees to fill up on nuggets of wisdom too. And so much of what was shared by LHUT and other guest speakers were words I felt writers especially need to hear.

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45 Birthday Journal Prompts

Today is my birthday, and I kicked off my own personal new year with two hours of journaling. Yes, TWO HOURS. You know journaling is my jam.

Some people think of journaling as juvenile, equating it with the “Dear Diary” ranting and raving we did as kids or angsty teens. But I turn to journaling for self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-care. I turn to journaling to grow up and glow up. In fact, the older I get, the more important journaling becomes. At this point in my life, it feels as necessary as water and air.

It’s my birthday, but I want to give you a gift. In honor of my 45th birthday, I’m sharing 45 birthday journal prompts for you to try when your special day comes back around — or even right now.

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28 Days of Self-Love Journal Prompts for February

February is the perfect month to write your way through 28 days of self-love journaling prompts. With Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day on the horizon, February is a month that’s all about love. And it’s my favorite month because it’s also my birthday month and Black History Month.

While we spend much of February focusing on our love for others – from best friends to romantic partners – we must be careful not to neglect self-love along the way.

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How Do You Write When the World Is on Fire?

How do we keep writing in hard times?

I was planning to host a self-love journaling challenge in February. But when I sat down to brainstorm prompts, I thought to myself – who’s going to feel like writing when the world is on fire?

Each day, we seem to face another horrific headline about another life taken or terrorized.

It leaves us feeling hopeless and helpless and staring at a blank page, wondering, “What’s the point?”

But silence is NOT the answer.

Your writing does matter.

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