chalk circles

for when you don't know how to prepare.

Good morning. It’s Tuesday again. We’re doing a good job, if I do say so myself — showing up to the best of our abilities, making things, and trying to be caring humans. Hopefully you have a cup of coffee in hand.

A short note from me today that addresses the question: how do you prepare for your novel’s pub day?

I have no idea, really, but mine is coming up very soon. I recently asked an author friend how I should prepare for August 4, and she said, amongst much other excellent advice: “Steel yourself for exposure.”

I immediately responded: “how do you even do that?”

I’ve been told to steel myself for exposure since I was a teary kid, then again when I was in medical school, like I could make a barrier to prevent entry of any unwanted feelings, energies or hardships I would cross.

Once figuring out how emotionally permeable I am, many teachers of all forms tell me to try to “make a shield” for myself.

I have tried. I am not good at it, and I never have been. Everything is inevitably going to float right through me.

So instead of making myself a pub day shield, I started making chalk circles 50 days before the launch of my book. Now, we have 14 days to go. I’ve sat inside 36 purple circles on my stone deck.

The goal of the circle isn’t to keep anything out but rather to remind me I can choose how I fill up the energy in my own space.

I can choose what I want to create in the circle of my own making.

I will draw 14 more circles and then we’ll be seeing you on the other side. If you have other hot tips for pub day that don’t involve purple chalk, please also reach out. I’m all ears.

Keep going.

love,

Kelly