Last week, I wrote a post about feeling rusty when I haven't posted for a while, like I can't get the words out to express what's been in my mind. When this happens — because it just does — what I need to do is take the pressure off and leave the accumulated expectations to the side. I wanted to go a bit more in depth by listing some of the ways I think about this garden that help take the pressure off, especially when feeling stuck.
Accumulation, not length
Posts are relatively short, often centering on one idea only. If I make them longer, and go in depth, it would take me more time per post and I wouldn't be as consistent. I prefer to write more, but shorter posts. And their accumulation is what creates depth and value.
Connection, not perfection
Similarly, posts connect to other posts. I don't need a single post to perfectly explain my thinking (otherwise I'd still be writing that post, and the garden would be empty!), it can be several posts. The connections between posts make ideas take shape.
Not forcing an answer to a problem
Sometimes I don't have an answer, solution or conclusion to something. I won't try to find one just for the sake of having one. It's okay if there isn't one, maybe I'll find it at one point, maybe I won't.
Documentation, not research
What I share are things that I did, that I've learned or that I'm thinking about. I don't go looking for answers to something I haven't yet figured out, just for the sake of a post. I write about what I've already figured out or what I'm currently figuring out.
Journaling, not writing essays
Well, not literally. Let me explain. Journaling allows thoughts to be put into paper, to make sense of them, to uncover patterns, to understand oneself, to let go. I try to write in the garden with the same kind of method. I'm releasing accumulated thoughts, making sense of scattered notes, reflecting on them. It's similar to journaling but with different contents and a different purpose.
Not comparing myself to others
There are people who write very well, who write a lot, who make long, inspiring pieces, who have many readers. I'm not on the same journey as them, I don't have the same goals, I don't need to aim for the same. I only compare myself to my past self, if at all.
This is how I personally like to write in this garden, but everyone is different! I think the important takeaway is to know yourself and what works for you. If something resonated or helped you, that's wonderful! But I also invite everyone who feels limited by expectations to explore what it is that holds them back.
In the future, I might come back and add more to the list!
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