Recently we moved into a new house. We sorted through nine years of accumulated stuff, and it felt gratifying to finally throw out a lot of unnecessary junk.
It’s a good analogy for our emotions, too. Many of us have a habit of holding onto feelings we should’ve let go a long time ago. Too frequently, we allow the words of others and the discouragements of life to build up in our hearts and minds.
I’m struggling with this as I prepare for the release of the last book in my trilogy, 18 Thoughts, later this month (January 27th!!).
When I released my first book, 18 Things, I donated all of my opening day sales to charity, but I didn’t tell anyone at the time. Then last year when I released the sequel, 18 Truths, the only reason I announced it was to promote the charity I was donating to this time around (Mitochondrial Foundation) and help out the sales of a 9-yr-old girl who had written a book that was benefitting the same charity (her book released the same day–it was planned that way). Half of my sales were going to the charity and the other half was going to the media center at the middle school where I teach English Language Arts. Then all of a sudden, I had people calling me out, saying it wasn’t right for me to ‘guilt’ them into buying my book because of the charity aspect. That never even crossed my mind. And honestly, I think a person has to be pretty broken if that’s their first thought about why I must be doing something to give back to my community and promote literacy with adolescents. But ya know what? It still broke me. I was crying in my bathroom for days. I had serious doubts about finishing the trilogy. But then I went to two book festivals shortly after and had long lines of teens telling me how my novels changed their lives . . . even saved some of them.
Here’s the thing. We can’t wait nine years to clear out the crap we’ve been holding onto. If we don’t rid ourselves of emotional baggage on a daily basis, we’ll get so bogged down, we’ll barely be able to move.
Olga’s story (my heroine in my series) has been all about faith.
Walking in faith can be a difficult road. For whatever reason, it’s easier to remember the hurtful things of the past and start worrying about the future (at least for me). Author Ed Foreman says worry is “nothing less than the misuse of your imagination.” My 2015 wish for all of us is that we’ll doubt, worry, and fear less, and free up that space in our heads for our stories instead.
This has been a post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post our thoughts the first Wednesday of every month. Feel free to join us, or just add your own thoughts in the comment section below.
Jamie Ayres 
Nicely said. I resolve to worry less as
well. Let the good times roll. I can’t wiat for the release of book 3 and weather people are happy for you or don’t understand you just be proud of your accomplishments as I am. Love you -mom
What a terrible thing for people to think! God knows your heart and you gave in the right spirit. That’s all that matters, Jamie.
Baggage just weighs down…and nine years would totally kill the back! So excited to get my hands on that the last book soon 🙂
No one is being forced to buy a book, and it’s not like you were donating the proceeds to the He-Man Woman Haters Club! After I’ve broken even on Little Ragdoll, I want to donate a portion of my proceeds to the Bowery Mission in Manhattan, since it’s featured so positively in several chapters.
Jamie, very well said. I have a friend who works hard on a dog foster program. People in the community gave her a hard time because she was spending her efforts on animals and not people. Sometimes I think there will always be someone out there who wants to bring you down. You know in your heart you had the best intentions. That’s what really matters. Besides, people should read your book because it’s awesome!
I heard a guy in Kmart ripping a cashier after she asked him if he wanted to donate to St. Jude’s. Sad times we live in. 😦
Well said post, though! You rock. 🙂
Some people just don’t get it, and they may never get it. But you have a good heart, Jamie! Best of luck with 18 Thoughts!
People are sick when they call others out on their good intentions. Similar has happened to me.
I love getting rid of emotional and physical baggage. I feel so much lighter.
I am so sorry people made you feel that way, I think what you did was lovely.
Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear that people were so awful to you! It’s a ridiculous stance for them to take, too, because giving to a charity you believe in is nothing but a selfless, wonderful, kind act! Good luck with your new release! I hope this one is happier for you.
I love this post! Free the negative and make room for the positive. You’re an amazing person, Jamie. This post must have been cleansing to write. Thank you for sharing!
Gah, people are so hyper critical, especially online where identity is masked behind an avatar. Most likely, that level of criticism is a reaction for their own guilt. If I don’t buy this book, then I’m a bad person because I’m not contributing to charity. It’s a distortion of your intentions. That would also upset me given your intentions were pure.
I like that you used that example in a post about worrying less. You can’t control how people react, only how you do, which is something I feel like I learn every day. Nice to meet you through IWSG. I’m glad to hear your book is having an impact on readers.
Really sorry to hear that, but I love your positive and gorgeous nature. Don’t let those people get to you… yep, getting rid of such baggage is awesome:)
Thank you, and yes, it is!