Sense Of Doubt
We All Feel This
Introduction
This came about from a walk in Hulne Park today to see Brizlee Tower. I have done it before and written about it here:
My Sense Of Doubt
I often question my ability to do things, and that includes writing on Vocal, especially fiction and poetry.
On the walk today it seemed that every section of the walk was longer, and I was thinking that it was more difficult than I thought it was going to be. Am I getting physically too old and decrepit to do it? Then I thought I had to do it to prove that I am still fit enough. The weather was good, so everything should have been perfect.
It just seemed that all the distances between the touchpoints were bigger, but when I hit the final section, it was a long, maybe half a mile steep slope and when I got to the top, standing outside Brizlee Tower I had done it and I felt good.
These are the Instagram pictures:
I had made the mistake of not taking any emergency chocolate or drink with me, and coming back, my blood sugar was getting low, but was rescued by the Rolling Pin:
Maybe that is what brought on my sense of doubt:
I felt the same about my walk to Scaleber Force but when I realised the one in five incline was only for the first quarter of a mile, it became much easier for me.
Interestingly, the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey seem to get easier each year. I have no sense of doubt when I ascend that stairway to Whitby Abbey.
I said I have a sense of doubt when I write, but I know how good I am, including believing I am one of the greatest villanelle creators on the Vocal platform, and those that comment on my stories confirm that, although the Vocal Machine does not see me that way.
My sense of doubt continually tells me that my work is not good enough, that is confirmed by Vocal, but the reality is that most of my work is excellent.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for reading, and I am sure that everyone has this happen to them at some point
About the Creator
Mike Singleton π Mikeydred
A Weaver of Tales and Poetry
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Call Me Les β₯ Gina β₯ Heather β₯ Caroline β₯
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Da Vinci's Dog
Introduction This is for the challenge set by L.K. Rolan that you can check out here: Da Vinci's Dog A blind man gets a seeing-eye dog, he has been waiting for six months since he lost his sight in an accident. Life has been difficult and he did not see how a dog would help, but the dog is amazingly empathic and helpful.
By Mike Singleton π Mikeydred 11 months ago in Writers
Comments (10)
Well said and some lovely pics. I laughed at "Am I getting physically too old and decrepit to do it?" I know the feeling. π
Living in the US I really like these journal entries and virtual tours. Good job.
Your mention of Whitby brought back many happy memories, but I certainly couldn't do the 199 steps any more!
You're the King of Villanelles and no one can tell me otherwise!
Sense of self-doubt? Constantly. Thoughts that something I have done is excellent? Rarely if ever. Continuing anyway? Priceless.
Self-doubt is natural. I couldn't help but think about that children's story about Thomas the Tank Engine when i was reading this: "I think I can, I'm sure I can..." Success is dependent on how and what you use to measure yourself. Trust me you are an excellent writer, creator, and motivator for so many people on Vocal. Keep going Thomas! π
We all experience self-doubt over one thing or another. I know I do
Love this πΉ πΉ πΉ πΉ πΉ
Yes, we've all been faced with self-doubt that can be damn near paralyzing. When I first came back to Vocal after a long hiatus, I would enter challenges thinking my stories were magnificent. Then I wouldn't get even an honorable mention. And then I would question how good I was. But I also didn't read other author's work. So after I would lose, I'd look at the winners and think, "Oh, THAT'S why I lost. They are way better than me." I'm pretty good at writing comedy, I think. The absurdist challenge right now is something I feel I *should* be good at. But I read some of the other entries already out there and think, 'Why bother? These are great.' I'm impressed that you even make the effort to do those long walks. Being outside in nature is healing. I spend the bulk of my day in a single bedroom in my house. I never get the amount of sunlight I should. Everything is perspective though. Two people can have exactly the same experience, and one thinks, "I can endure," and the other person thinks, "This is WAY too much!" I don't exactly love my current circumstances, but I try to be grateful for what I do have. When you deeply value what you do have, the Universe/God gives you more, IMO. You got this, Sir. And besides your ability to write-- which is unquestionable-- more importantly to all of us, you have a shining, beautiful soul. You are so supportive of others. You stick with everyone even when Vocal is skimpy about acknowledging you. I've had several Top Stories, but never one in Poets. I think (pure suspicion) it's more difficult to be recognized there simply because of the vast number of contributors. Vocal probably wants to try to eventually recognize everyone, which means it will take forever before someone is recognized a second time. Meanwhile, writing for communities that have far few contributors (like Humor, as compared to Poets or Fiction) means the odds are much greater for recognition. Just wanted you to know that *I* value you. I don't read as much as I should (because I'm always writing something) but every time I do read your art, I'm always impressed. β‘Billβ‘
Awe I actually wrote to vocal last week, to say people like my stories and poetry yet itβs the same people who win all the time. never me. two top stories I have had. I try but vocal donβt show me the love πβοΈ