While working on the draft for the first post for this new blog, I accidentally deleted it. I had written near to 1,000 words about starting over/finding my voice/my past in writing etc, and poof. Gone.

Well, any writer will know the true frustration of unintentionally erasing your own work. I have been trying to rekindle my lifelong passion for writing for a while now, so to finally have a post ready, only to delete it myself…

I think in the past I would have been ready to throw my computer out of the window. Maybe cry a bit, eat some chocolate and give up for the day. However, I decided to go again, and write what you are reading now.

The post that is lost to the abyss was deeply personal and talked about my past with mental health struggles, abusive exes and reclaiming my voice. I’ve decided that maybe, it simply wasn’t the time for those words to be released into the wild just yet. Maybe, as the title of this blog suggests, I need to slow down a bit before I start sharing all those details to the world again.

Now, I am an oversharer when I write. Always have been. I don’t see a problem with it, as long as I feel comfortable and empowered. My previous blogs helped a lot of people – I say that not to inflate my ego but because it’s true. They told me so. I unashamedly shared details of my struggles and that helped them to understand themselves and the people closest to them better. I am so proud that in my darkest moments, I was able to give something to others.

In this season of my life, I think I need to be more cautious. As life does, it has made me a little less trusting and incredibly hesitant. I am only just beginning to write again, and the fear is real. The fear of my words being used against me or being told that sharing myself online is “self-indulgent” (real quote) (as if that is a bad thing?!).

I suppose I’m writing this to say – hey, I’m back, but tentatively. Baby steps and all that.