Yes, I made it across the finish line, huffing and puffing, and wobbly with exhaustion. 😀 I’ve done global and national poetry challenges before, but never reflected on them. But this time I thought I’d share lessons I relearned from the exercise:
1. Creativity Requires Freedom
After publishing my latest poetry collection, I vowed to focus on fiction writing until I can write a happy poem again. I miss the feeling of writing poetry from a place of awe, wonder and joy. But here I am, with poems burdened by injustices of our world. The more I tried to control the direction or the outcome of each poem, the more I failed. So, I simply went with the flow.
2. Being a Verb, instead of Noun
There’s no doubt, writing a poem every day for a month requires discipline and commitment. While consistency is an achievement, for me, showing up regularly to the page reminded me to be a verb again, instead of a noun. That is, shut up and write, instead of talking about writing.
3. Embracing Imperfection
There’s much editing to be done now. But I wouldn’t have had anything to edit if I didn’t embrace imperfection. It’s liberating to know I can’t create a masterpiece during GloPoWriMo, and maybe never. The act of writing itself, not the outcome, becomes the focus.
4. Community Fosters Growth
I know I often complain about social media activities and behaviour. It’s because healthy discussions, encouragement, or valuable insights are scarce on these platforms, nowadays. As poet Mark Nepo once said, we’re living in a society where everyone is trying to get attention.
Thank goodness for the blogs! The blogging community remains one of the best. I’m deeply grateful to you all who wrote alongside, read and offered encouragement this past April. I appreciate every comment. Thank you!
5. Poetry is a Journey, Not a Destination
Each poem written is a step forward in the journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. This is also why I wanted to acknowledge this GloPoWriMo effort, instead of rushing off to the next big thing. Poetry writing is an ongoing process that enhances self-awareness and understanding of the world around me. Perhaps, the reason it remains my first love.
On that note, I’ll continue the search for a happy poem, especially now that birds are back. 🙂 Wishing you days full of wonder and joy, whatever season you’re in!
Congrats on staying the course! I, too, have been ‘relearning’ creative insights. All five of yours ring true to form. 🙂
What a wonderful reflection, Khaya. One of the benefits of most timed creative efforts is that we are forced out of our critic/perfectionist heads, forced to let go of control and just write or paint or dance. It’s wonderful practice and very freeing. I’m glad you partook in that experience. All wonderful insights, my friend. Happy Creating!
Excellent takeaways, with which I agree 😉
I’d say many of these can be applied to life, in general, too.
Congratulations on finishing GloProWriMo, Khaya! I look forward to reading whatever you write, as I know it comes from the heart and is always insightful.
Good one…#2 made me smile 😊.
I’m so glad this experience challenged and taught you. I have experienced similar feelings with NaNoWriMo. Sometimes the muse has a heavy hand. I think you produced some beautiful work in the exercise. And that next happy poem is still out there.
Many thanks, Laura! Staying the course can be hard, but it’s so rewarding when it’s done. Now I’m curious about your creative insights. I look forward to hearing about them at some point, no pressure. 🙂
“we are forced out of our critic/perfectionist heads” Say that again! That inner critic… Thanks so much my friend for your kind comment. Much appreciated!
They do apply to life in general, don’t they! 🙂 Many thanks, Kathy.
Lavinia, thank you for your kind comment; it means a lot to me. <3
I tell you, it’s much easier to be a writer than to actually write. 😀 Thanks Janice!
Thanks Christina, I appreciate your vote of confidence. And I too hope, the happy poem is out there waiting to be discovered. Now, I wish the muse’s heavy hand can point me back to the fiction work I was supposed to be editing instead of writing poetry…*sigh 😀
Lol. Yes, That inner critic is the bane to creativity.
Khaya, I found you via Diana’s blog and am glad I am here. Your lessons were good reminders for me. Also, I agree – this community has pulled me through the darkest times and been my biggest supporter. I’m not on social media, but I sure love it here on WordPress. Congratulations on completing your challenge! 🙂
I am in awe of your achievement. Well done on staying with the process and writing a poem a day for a month