I randomly came across this podcast called That Girl Radio! And the first episode I listened to was “Just Hit Publish”! And baby, when I say that message was FOR ME!! And Lord, I heard you LOUD AND CLEAR!

But before I get started, I want to send a thank you to Rikki Lee, founder of That Girl Radio! You are one of the many signs God sent to me that I should publish this blog. Your episode truly inspired me to Hit Publish on this blog – something I’ve had in my drafts for a while now. This post is dedicated to you, sis!

Yall go listen to That Girl Radio Podcast on Spotify! Sis be dropping gems! #ThankMeLater

Alright …

So, I’ve always wanted to start a blog … I’m talking about all the way back to Tumblr days. Lol. But I was always nervous about putting things out on social media that could be perceived the wrong way. Because I grew up during a time where social media was new and growing. And my parents would always say things like, “watch what you post online, you don’t know who’s watching or how it will affect you later”. And so, I often second guessed a lot of things when it came to my social media.

But this time, when the idea of THIS blog came to mind, I literally hit the ground running, no hesitation! I researched blog sites; I watched Tiktok videos; I brainstormed a name; I came up with a concept; I created an email account, an Instagram account, a canva account; and I even created my first three posts … all within a matter of days. And then it came time to publish and … I never hit the button …

I found every reason not to write, post, or release this blog. What if people don’t get it? What if people don’t follow? Maybe I don’t have enough content yet? Yada yada yada …

And you see, I was letting the “noise of the world” discourage me. I kept doubting my capabilities and what this blog could be… all because of how I MIGHT be perceived by others. I started getting discouraged from writing. I kept pushing the release date back. I stopped talking about it. And now, here I am, almost a month later… But leave it to God to keep pushing me towards it …

And what’s even funnier and even more fitting, this situation – this back and forth with myself, and not trusting God and the purpose He has for me – is the reason I created this blog in the first place. Look at God! #WontHeDoIt

But yea, I’ve always liked stories … There’s just something about WORDS … [I think that’s also why I chose to do a blog vs youtube or a podcast.] I feel like writing words down rather than speaking them gives you more control over the message you wish to send. But like I said, I’ve always been cautious about what I post on social media. But I’m also just cautious about what I say or put out into the world in general. I pride myself on actively thinking BEFORE I speak. I just usually end up overthinking…

Like in law school, I took a class called Race in the Law, and it was a seminar class which meant that I had to write a paper. Our assignment was to write an Open Letter, similar to Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail (in simplest terms, an open letter is a critical letter addressed to particular person or group that is written on a specific issue, explains a viewpoint, or rallies a call to action). My letter was … special to me… It was an open letter to police officers written right after George Floyd and there was so much going on in the world. [If you’re interested in reading it, let me know!] But it was the first academic paper I ever wrote where I was allowed to be my most vulnerable and authentic self!! I ended up booking that class #IYKYK and my professor even encouraged me to consider publishing my letter. But of course … I didn’t … and I lowkey wish I stepped out on faith and did so, because I always wonder about the response it would have received. But I also believe everything happens for a reason.

But nonetheless, it was a chance for me to leave a special mark on the world! And I let it fall through… But I won’t miss that opportunity again! So, here I am, stepping out on faith and hitting publish on The Faithful Worrier!

I vow to not hold my personal testimonies in my drafts any longer. I truly believe there may be someone out there who will be inspired by this blog. And thanks to Rikki Lee, I’ve been encouraged to not worry about whether my blog will be perfect or how people will receive it. As long as I show up as my authentic self, tell my truth, I can’t go wrong. Because those that get it, GET IT!  And I’m ok with that.

TAKE AWAY:

*some gems dropped during the episode – “Just Hit Publish” on that Girl Radio*

1. Don’t put your work and worth in the hands of others, nor should you allow them to edit, revise, and change who you are!

2. Don’t wait for IT [whatever it is that you’re procrastinating on] to become the perfect masterpiece or the perfect work of art, you or it will never be perfect! BUT THAT’S OK!

3. It’s okay to show your imperfections because people need to see the trials and tribulations so that they can see how to get through similar situations! Someone is waiting to receive your work, waiting to receive who you are NOW, not the finished version. Allow God to use you in your draft season to inspire others!

4. Your audience, the people meant to hear your message, will come. Those that need to see it, WILL. You don’t need to search for an audience and then build a platform around that audience, but instead you should build your platform and allow an audience to come to you.