Meeting Judy Blume and Finding Self-Worth
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Meeting Judy Blume and Finding Self-Worth
Last week, I met Judy Blume.
For real.
My husband and I spent a long weekend in Key West, where Judy Blume lives, writes, and is the co-founder of a non-profit, locally-run bookstore, Books & Books.
We made it our first stop.
While Dan beelined for the back of the shop to find a book on local history, I stood frozen at the front table of books. Ten feet to my left stood Judy Blume, sorting cards on a bookrack.
“Dan!” I dodged through tables of books and whisper-hissed, “She’s there, 11:00 o’clock.”
“Are you sure it’s her?”
Was I sure? Was he kidding?
In Dan’s defense, Judy’s face was partially covered by a mask. But still. There was Judy freaking Blume! Author of my childhood.
Clearly, I had not prepared myself. What would I say? What would I ask? Should I tell her I’d recently reread Blubber and found it disturbing and wonderful all over again? Should I tell her I loved Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing, and that fudge was my favorite word in the dictionary? Should I recount how my best friend and I hid Forever under our pillows one summer?
Dan flipped through a book about Flagler’s railroad. He’d watched Judy Blume’s documentary with me and was almost as wowed as I was.
“Let’s go meet her,” he said.
“No pictures,” I said.
He cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”
“It’s touristy, or obnoxious, or something. I don’t know, but don’t take any.”
The idea of posting a photo made me cringe in a way I couldn’t explain. Plus, I didn’t want to disturb Judy Blume. I picked up a book from the banned book table and then set it back down.
“Fine. But you’re a writer, and you can’t not say hello. Let’s go.”
“Fine,” I said. “But remember, no photos. And don’t say I’m a writer, either.”
Because was I? Really a writer? I had published one book. It did win some awards. I taught writing, and I wrote nearly every day. But this was Judy Blume! I wasn’t about to tell her I was a writer. That would be like telling Taylor Swift I was a singer/songwriter or saying to Merrill Streep that I was an actor.
I held my breath and stepped forward. I said hello.
I thanked her for all her books and told her I’d hidden Forever under my pillow. She was humble and gracious and amazing. We talked about skiing and our kids, and after Dan saddled up, she pointed to her husband of 41 years who was running the cash register. He joined the conversation, and they asked us about our travels. They were leaving soon for an event with Planned Parenthood, where she was speaking. We lamented both the struggle of travel and the state of the world.
I regretted not taking a photo. And although I didn’t regret not talking about my writing, it has given me pause. I am a writer. A good one. So why did I shy away from talking about it? Well, other than the fact that I was speaking with Judy Blume, I’d say it had to do with self-doubt and vulnerability.
Questioning ourselves, our worth, and our expertise is common, especially among women. Author Brene Brown has created an empire of books and talks addressing this. She says, “Overcoming self-doubt is all about believing we’re enough and letting go of what the world says we’re supposed to be and supposed to call ourselves.”
So how do we believe it? I’m working on it, but here are a few suggestions that I tell myself.
· Don’t compare your work with other people
· Acknowledge what you have done and pat yourself on the back
· Be proud and embrace where you are right now
· Practice self-compassion
· Keep learning, be curious, and explore
· Celebrate your progress
· Find a community of support
It’s always a work in progress, isn’t it? This I do know… I’m glad you are all part of my community!
Cheers.
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Thanks for reading. Creativity is not a command performance, but I hope you’ll stay and become inspired. If you know someone interested in creative endeavors, please forward this on!Yours in spirited creativity,