Lifestyle

Growing Pains

Every December I choose a word that will be my focus, my theme for the year to come. My word for 2020 was growth.

I was determined that 2020 would be the year I would level up in every aspect of my life.

In my freelance life, I wanted to start writing for more national publications. In my blogging life, I wanted to reach new readers. In my personal life, I wanted to be healthy and happy with my body and I wanted to do 40 fun and new things before I turn 40 in 2021.

But here’s the thing – when you pray for growth, be prepared for pruning.

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7 Things You Can Do Today to Manage Your Mindset

I have a confession. There was a time when I thought books, courses, and coaching about mindset was all mumbo jumbo. I’m a go-getter. I want tips on what to do, not how to think. It was all too woo-woo for me.

But back in 2014, I made the decision to start taking myself seriously as a businesswoman and that mindset shift changed everything. The next year See Jane Write grew exponentially and I was even selected by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of their Top 40 Under 40. Mindset made all the difference.

Related Reading: How to Take Yourself Seriously As a Blogger & Businesswoman

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Self-Care Tips for Writers

Today is International Self-Care Day. This special day is held on 7/24 to remind us that self-care is something we should prioritize 24/7.

Lord knows I need this reminder and chances are you do, too.

We writers and bloggers are ambitious people. We have to be. To turn your thoughts and ideas to words and share those words with the world takes gumption and grit. It takes commitment and consistency. It takes sacrifice. And sometimes the first thing we sacrifice is self-care.

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Currently

Inspiration is everywhere. Through the years I’ve learned that some of the things that we see as distractions from the creative process can actually be the fuel we need for our next for blog post, article, or essay or even our first or next book.

That’s why I love sharing with you what I’m currently watching, writing, reading, listening to, loving, feeling, and planning. Here’s the latest edition of Currently!

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I Am Not My Hair

“Javacia — the girl with the long, pretty hair.”

That’s how people have described me for most of my life. As I got older and started making a name for myself as a writer, blogger, business owner, and teacher, I thought this would change. And in some ways, it did. In some circles, I’m “the blogger girl.” Some people actually call me “See Jane Write.” And to my former students, I will always be “Mrs. Bowser.”

But for most people, I just went from being “the girl with the long, pretty hair” to “the lady with the long, pretty hair.”

I know I should have been flattered. Someone saying my hair is pretty is a compliment. But I was tired of people paying more attention to my hair than to me.

On May 7, I started chemotherapy for breast cancer and by the end of the month I’d lost my “long, pretty hair.” But even in its absence, my hair continues to steal the show.

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