This is interesting to consider. Writers are always told "find your voice" Yes, but your voice changes depending on the topic, for me. I remain authentic but "being myself" shifts.
Example, the irreverent sarcastic satirical tone (I LOVE David Sedaris) I use to shame religious fundamentalists & homophobes, is nothing close to my essay about my post partum depression.
I'm always authentic, but my voice changes to meet the tone & topic.
This flows as effortlessly as the advice contained within it. We are all but sipping from the river of life and as we take those sips we find it’s never the same river twice. But it’s familiar and we can learn from how it tastes differently each time.
So many lines to love in this post…I’ve just gone to restack with a quote from it but couldn’t decide and nearly copied whole post hahah…Going to try again…
Some great advice in here, but I disagree with the framing of the premise. I think the exploration and experimentation you're encouraging is part of being authentic/yourself. The mistake we make is allowing the past and the perceived judgment of others to dictate what constitutes authentic action.
"Be yourself" was never helpful for me until I learned to interpret it as "be the version of yourself you want to be today" or "be the version of yourself that best suits the situation". The self isn't static, it's mobile and evolving and can be channeled in many ways, but it does have a consistent source.
I love this. There's the element of 'reading the room' too - I mostly write based on personal experience so like to think I am always authentic, but if the content is heavy I'm mindful that my playful sarcasm isn't always what readers need. I will always be myself, but I will also always be in service to my readers.
This is interesting to consider. Writers are always told "find your voice" Yes, but your voice changes depending on the topic, for me. I remain authentic but "being myself" shifts.
Example, the irreverent sarcastic satirical tone (I LOVE David Sedaris) I use to shame religious fundamentalists & homophobes, is nothing close to my essay about my post partum depression.
I'm always authentic, but my voice changes to meet the tone & topic.
You captured what I mean well here Laura!
This flows as effortlessly as the advice contained within it. We are all but sipping from the river of life and as we take those sips we find it’s never the same river twice. But it’s familiar and we can learn from how it tastes differently each time.
Haha thank you Jenny! Well put.
We are not the same in all situations, can’t be.
We don’t speak or act the same with our kids and at work?
We don’t speak or act the same with friends or with our parents?
The situation, moments, environment require us to change.
We are not the same in all situations, can’t be.
The situation here is writing.
Thanks Alex.
happy to help
So many lines to love in this post…I’ve just gone to restack with a quote from it but couldn’t decide and nearly copied whole post hahah…Going to try again…
ha! Thanks Suzy
Some great advice in here, but I disagree with the framing of the premise. I think the exploration and experimentation you're encouraging is part of being authentic/yourself. The mistake we make is allowing the past and the perceived judgment of others to dictate what constitutes authentic action.
"Be yourself" was never helpful for me until I learned to interpret it as "be the version of yourself you want to be today" or "be the version of yourself that best suits the situation". The self isn't static, it's mobile and evolving and can be channeled in many ways, but it does have a consistent source.
I love this. There's the element of 'reading the room' too - I mostly write based on personal experience so like to think I am always authentic, but if the content is heavy I'm mindful that my playful sarcasm isn't always what readers need. I will always be myself, but I will also always be in service to my readers.