One of my goals for 2021 is to try something new every week. I've even made it official, by writing it down on my journal and dedicating a few blank pages to future logs about each experience.
It doesn't have to be something extraordinary or complicated, merely something that hadn't really been on my radar before and that I feel curious about now. The point is to learn and grow, but also to have fun and to be able to go on little adventures.
Naturally, every adventure needs its challenges. And as a big believer in tackling the hardest things first, for week 1 I chose to address one of the scariest items on my list: to make and share videos of myself online.
I decided to do this in the form of (nearly daily) readings of short poems and bits of prose that I like, which I've been posting on my Instagram account dedicated to books.
While all the content there is in Portuguese, you can take a look at my latest post, if you're curious:
Despite being nervous at first about seeing myself talk on camera (something I've always dreaded), I decided that I wasn't going to overthink it. So on 1st January I pressed "record", then "post", and didn't look back. No special lighting, no special gear, no real preparation nor hyperventilation! Just me, my phone and words being spoken.
And after seven videos done and shared, I have to say it's been quite an interesting and enjoyable experience. So much so, in fact, that I've decided to go on with it. I've even been so lucky as to have some people send kind reactions and words, which I am so grateful for, not only because it makes the process less intimidating but also because it's a beautiful thing establishing a connection with others over a mutual love for writing and reading.
As I've come to realize over the years, if we don't give ourselves the option to back out, we often end up finding something truly valuable on the other side of our fears.
My idea for tomorrow's challenge is this: make a post about something you learned/tried for the very first time that you think brought something valuable to you and/or others.
Unless indicated otherwise, all the content posted here was created by me. If you're interested in using it, please get in touch via the comments.
