Thank you
, , , , and many others for tuning into last week’s Write the Hard Thing Live.Every week, we gather for twenty minutes to pause, to breathe, and to connect with our body, our breath, and our writing.
Last week’s prompt was:
Write about the object you carried everywhere as a kid.
Before writing, I guided everyone through a short grounding, settling into stillness, and calling to mind the younger self.
And then, for ten minutes, we wrote.
When I wrote alongside everyone this week, the object that surfaced was a piece of silk lingerie that once belonged to my mother, my makeshift security blanket. I carried it everywhere. It was my way of holding onto her, even when she wasn’t there.
Most of my childhood, my mom was in prison. And even when she wasn’t, I think I still gripped that fabric because the idea of her felt safer than the real her. That piece of silk became something I could control, something that belonged to me.
The title that came to me was The Idea of Her.
Here are a few other titles that came through from the community this week…
The Smile Was My Plea —
I Carried a Smile —
Behind Closed Doors —
Book Shame —
Curious Girl —
I love how much story can live inside just a few words. Titling is its own kind of truth-telling.
We only have two more sessions left this year, and I’m feeling both sad and grateful as we close out this season together. These weekly gatherings have become such a grounding rhythm for me.
After the final session, I’ll be taking some time to slow down and be with my family and to listen in for what this space wants to become next year.
I can feel that Write the Hard Thing LIVE is evolving. I’m dreaming into a new version, possibly longer sessions, maybe on Zoom, where we can see each other’s faces, share reflections, and go a little deeper together. I want to create a space that feels even more connected and grounded.
For now, I’m savoring these last two gatherings.
Join me on Tuesday at noon ET.
How Does It Work?:
Free Live writing every week (20 min total: 10 min writing, plus short grounding practice before/after). Here’s the next one.
All subscribers receive a notification when I’m Live, and I’ll also send a reminder in the chat 12-48 hours beforehand.
Replay will be available for all subscribers (in case you need to write on your own time).
Show up as you are. Come late if you need. Even one minute of writing is a win. You never know what’s going to show up.
And remember, don’t overthink. Just write.
The Flow:
The first 5 minutes will be a brief welcome and grounding.
I’ll give the prompt (use it or follow your own thread).
We’ll write for 10 minutes, together. I’ll let you know when you have one minute left.
We’ll close with a short, regulating breath or body practice.
You can drop off quietly or stick around to ask a question in the chat.
Why Just 10 Minutes?
Because we’re gently retraining the body to believe this is safe.
Ten minutes, over and over again, becomes a practice. A pathway back to yourself. It’s long enough to begin but short enough to stay present. It’s doable, and over time, the body builds trust, which is the whole point. We’re creating a container (a safe, repeatable experience) where your nervous system can learn that it’s safe to tell the truth. We’re offering it new evidence, rewiring the way it relates to the stories we’ve been afraid to touch.
When are the next sessions?
Tuesday, November 11 at noon ET
Thursday, November 20 at noon ET *This will be our last session for the year.
