My Shot

Good morning, my Lovelies! Well, it is Saturday and that means that I'm late getting out my blog. I hope things are well in your little corner of the world and that you've found a reason to smile this week. 

So, I did something this week that was very out of my comfort zone. This week I put up a couple of videos that actually had me in them. I don't mind putting up the occasional, well-thought-out, very posed picture of myself. It is doable and I can get past my insecurities to not only do it, but to post it. But being on video makes me very uncomfortable. 

Somehow, I worked through the fear, the self-doubt, and the dislike that I feel when I look at myself and did it. I'm proud of myself for doing it, but I'm still a little freaked out that I took that step.

I'm sure you're asking, "Why do it if it makes you so uncomfortable?" Here's my answer:

I have to.

I've been on social media for a long time now and the growing trend for authors that increases exposure and book sales is letting the public SEE you. There are all these TikTok authors I follow that do all these cute videos and post them and everyone loves that they are sharing themselves that way. I see them do it on Instagram and Facebook and as much as I don't like putting myself out there like that, it has become a necessity.

Am I good at it? No. Does it make me cringe to see my face out there like that? Yes. Does it make me want to run crying and screaming from the room when I show my family and they aren't supportive of it? Abso-fucking-lutely. 

What do I mean they aren't supportive? My kids and husband all had "eww" comments, or "that doesn't look like you" comments. I'm doing what I can to push past their negative reactions and keep trying. I want to succeed as an author and if this is one of the things that will help me to do that, then I'm going to keep doing it.

I've been asked why I'm pushing so hard to get my books out there and have been told over and over again that it just takes time. Yes, it takes time, but I'm so tired of getting up and going to a job that I hate (yes, I absolutely hate my job) just to have money to live on. So, I'll do what I have to do to help get myself out of the job that is making me mentally and physically sick.

If that means stepping out of my comfort zone and showing my face to the world, then so be it. All I ask from you, my Lovelies, is to please be kind, and if you're following me on my socials, like my posts! It helps me to know that you like what I'm sharing with you!

You aren't following me on all my socials? Just go to my Linktree and you'll see all of my platforms!

Until next time, and as always,

Much love and affection, from me to you!

Shelly (a/k/a Dawn Love)

Dawn Love's Linktree