27 Comments
User's avatar
Judy Dippel's avatar

On Substack, the “why and how” of a certain something resonating for thousands is a bit of enigma. I think many of us relate. (I’m 3 mo. in.)

That said, i encourage you to remember there is no other human being on this earth exactly like you, with your life, your experiences.

If there are more than two people in a room, the perspective is different.

As writers, this alone helps us to recognize and remember our words have value.

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Our words do have value. Thank you for that beautiful reminder.

You Don't Look Sick, Ang's avatar

Great job on this! I feel seen 💕

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Thank you! And there is no better feeling. :)

Jen  Coleman's avatar

Yes! Post pics of your trip and travel tips! 💗

The Preferred Edit's avatar

I have loads of tips too!

Quietly Becoming's avatar

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this, in the middle of a career transition and feeling like I am not good enough. Thank you!

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Push away all the limiting thoughts. Reinvention is an extraordinary thing. I can't wait to read about what unfolds for you.

Janet Penka's avatar

Absolutely! Please post photos!

And, as always, I'm amazed by your writing and your honesty from within. "Does the world even need another voice in this space?" ...Trust us all, L. We all need to hear your voice in this space.

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Thank you, Janet! I appreciate you... always.

Mohammad Khan's avatar

We all have these internal stories that we can or cannot do something.

The first step is being aware of them, the next is realizing that the pen is in your hands.

I just taught myself how to do a handstand after years of wanting to.

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Handstand is such a flex!

Willow's avatar

Definitely a very interesting read, your own experiences are yours easy to compare in this society and to give yourself pressure you don't deserve. For me, I don't know whether my own up bringing or life experiences have made me feel this, (nature nurture) but how anyone else succeeds etc has absolutely no bearing or effect on me at all. Since I was a kid. I follow my own path irrespective of anything around me x

The Preferred Edit's avatar

I like your path. I aspire to that. Thank you for sharing.

Rev. Kevin T. Taylor's avatar

Leslie, this is such an honest and clarifying reflection on the way comparison often reaches beneath ambition and touches the old question of worth. The line about the carrier being the whole thing feels especially important, because it reminds us that the world does not only need new ideas; it needs the particular life, voice, timing, and presence through which an idea becomes recognizable to someone else. I was moved by the headstand image because it shows how easily we can mistake watching for evidence that something is unavailable to us, when it may actually be the beginning of desire finding courage. Thank you for naming the wound beneath the fear that every seat is taken and for reminding us that sometimes we have to bring our own chair into the room.

The Preferred Edit's avatar

As always... beautifully written. Thank you!

Act II, Unscripted's avatar

"The fog isn't failure. Maybe it's just what happens before reinvention." I needed that line today.

The voice that asks whether you're too late, whether there's still a seat — I know that one. What I'm learning is that it gets loudest right before something shifts. Not after.

The Preferred Edit's avatar

I like leaning into the shift these days. Big things to come!

Lauren Reisner's avatar

This one really hit home for me. And for what it's worth nothing you said was anything I didn't already know, except now I'll be spending the day trying to figure out what exactly clicked for me here because something did. There's so much truth in just accepting that your voice has value. That you have value... and yet it's the hardest thing to do. Thanks for a great read!

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Thank you. This platform and community are incredibly supportive in helping to realize that are words do have value. Our voice has value. I think we all innately know but often default to thinking otherwise. I am glad you're here.

Julie Hagenbuch's avatar

As always, you fascinate me. Yes please on the photos!!!

The Preferred Edit's avatar

So much to come! Thanks, Jules!

Sasha Brown-Worsham's avatar

I want to see photos!

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Now I just have to figure out how to work the damn camera I bought. Because an iPhone somehow wasn't enough. I single handedly overcomplicated my life with one late night purchase.

Aaliya's avatar

This resonates so deeply it’s easy to feel overshadowed by others’ successes, but your words remind us that our unique experiences and voices are valuable. Keep shining!

The Preferred Edit's avatar

Thank you Aaliya. Our voices are valuable. We just need to continue to remind ourselves to do just that... shine!

Delia Perry's avatar

So well said once again. Gosh your writing is just so touching and this one definitely touched a nerve and some emotion. You described that feeling of unworthiness in your body so well. I have been wrestling with it for decades, and yet the idea of just understanding that so often it is just a wound being touched and I can move through it is so helpful. Thank you dear friend. ❤️