by AnnSheybani | Jul 20, 2015 | Anne Lamott, Authenticity, Confidence, connection, identity, Life, Reading, Traveling Mercies, vulnerability, Writing, writing lessons
I received this beautiful note last week in response to my newsletter, and I’d like to share it and my response with you. It’s relevant to you writers out there, AND to people-pleasers. Thank you for your raw honesty. Your courage inspires me, seriously.... by AnnSheybani | Jun 15, 2015 | Authenticity, Brene Brown, Confidence, Courage, criticism, dealing with criticism, Mama Gena, Writing
It takes guts to have an opinion. It takes guts to share them with others. To open yourself up to criticism. I don’t care what you say, how innocuous it may seem to you; someone will decide that your opinion makes you a member of Al Qaeda. That’s just how it goes.... by AnnSheybani | May 10, 2015 | Writing
Years and years ago, I decided that the best way to keep myself writing was to hang out with other writers. So I set out to find other writers in the area and eventually joined a tight-knit writers’ group who met once a week in the author Anne Batterson’s... by AnnSheybani | May 4, 2015 | Life, Reading, Writing
I was 26 the first time I realized that what people thought about me had more to do with them, then with who I was/am as a person. Such an epiphany should have freed me up; unfortunately it didn’t. When I’d first moved to Iran, I wanted two things more than... by AnnSheybani | Apr 27, 2015 | adventure, Alcoholic rules, climbing lessons, coaching, Confidence, connection, Courage, criticism, Cultural Issues, dealing with criticism, Iran, mountain climbing, risk, Self love, Self-acceptance, Self-Esteem, Writing
When I was young, I had no idea what I thought, felt, or wanted. Pressed for my opinion, I’d make an evasive or sarcastic comment instead of deciding what it was that I thought. I didn’t want to say anything that could be construed the wrong way, or held against me... by AnnSheybani | Mar 24, 2015 | Confidence, identity, Monica Lewinsky, shame, Ted Talk, Writing
I’m a big proponent of turning your mess into your message. And I think Monica Lewinsky’s recent Ted Talk is a wonderful example of turning one’s most shameful moment into a powerful call to action. Think about it. What are you hiding? What story...
