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I really enjoyed this. I found myself nodding along to so many of your insights (having discovered similar things myself), as well as finding brand new ones. Thank you so much!

I've settled into a pace of posting 3 poems a week here on Substack, and it feels incredible. It feels almost like the first time I'm truly doing something because the little voice inside me wants that, not because of any external expectations.

I've read several of your poems for now, and enjoyed them thoroughly. I'll be looking forward to more.

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I’ve settled on a gentle yet consistent 1 poem a week here. 3 is impressive but I can definitely understand the joy and pleasure in that. It’s funny that you point out external expectations. That’s so true and I also think so much of the friction is our internal expectations as well. Like..what I think a poem should be vs ultimately what wants to come out.

Thank you so much for reading, appreciating, and your thoughtful comments! <3

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I think there is a beauty not only in works that are polished for months and years before release, but also in the ones that are spontaneous and natural. This challenge is pretty cool! And your title couldn’t be more right—it’s all about the mindset and dedication that makes a poet!!

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Yes! 100%. There's something about it, a release sometimes of what's in the subconscious, that can only come out in a natural, almost tired state (probably why I get so many ideas in the shower, about to fall asleep, or driving). Thanks for commenting, Bethel!

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Thank you for bringing us along for the journey! I love how you pushed against perfectionism and went with a quantity of quality approach to honing your craft.

Although they were sub-headers, these lines felt poetic in and of themselves:

"I write, therefore I am."

"There is metaphor, meaning, and magic in everything."

Beautiful stuff Ana 👏🏽

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Thank you so much, Jamal! I actually learned so much and had so much fun focusing on quantity over quality. Would do again!

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Very welcome and I’m with you! I believe in the economy of words but when it comes to developing my craft, I find that shooting my shot is the best way to develop it.

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Thanks for the mention too! Keep going...

One of your poems had a line about "picking low-hanging fright." Great line....

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Thank you so much!

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Instagram has a lot of poetry too.

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It does! I haven't been on my personal Instagram since September and I keep thinking..maybe I'll create a separate account just for poetry. But I also feel like there's already so much poetry elsewhere I might not need to. I'm already on way too much social media haha.

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