You are more than 'Just'

Yesterday, something big and amazing happened. My books were placed for sale in a bookstore!

An actual bookstore.

Like, where they sell books!

from The Mad Raven facebook page

Being in a bookstore has been one of my biggest dreams ever. Yes, I cried. YES, I ate cake ;)

It also got me thinking about the 'JUST' in the world (there is a point to this.)

Think about the last time you did something that excited you, something that made you giddy, something that allowed you to cross through one of your bucket list items. Now... think about how you told people about it...

Did you say, "I made it into college, but I just barely passed my test."
Or
"I hit #10 on Amazon! But it was just the free list."
Or
"I ran a mile today! But it was just a slow run. Not fast yet."

Personally, I'm so tired of saying the word JUST to sell my point. To me, it seems like we are undermining our accomplishments because 1) we don't want to brag or 2) because we are afraid others won't see the value in it as we do.

This goes for everyone (author or not), but (since I'm friends with a lot of authors) I see it a lot in the community: I got an agent, but it's just for one book. I hit my monthly royalty goal, but it's just $100. I finished my book, but it's just 50,000 words and not 75,000. My book hit #1 on Amazon, but it's just romance...

I'm guilty of it too... and it needs to stop.

Why do we do it?

Are we afraid of what other people will think of us?

Are we worried they won't have the same reaction we do?

Are we scared that people will think we've gotten 'too big for our britches' or 'high and mighty' or 'changed' if we don't downplay our accomplishments?

Are we scared of people thinking we  are bragging?

Are we afraid of the judging look or the 'bless your heart, you think you've done something special' when we are so happy to meet one of our goals?

{So much fear}

TRUTHFULLY, no one will ever be as excited for you as you are anyway. So all this fear we have about what others think won't matter a hill of beans (as we say here in the South-- I don't know what it means either ;) )

Do you use words like just and only when you tell people about things you've done? If so, leave me a comment and we can talk about it (because I need to talk lol). I don't want to use words like Just and Only anymore (and if you see me doing it, call me out). I think we should be proud of what we are doing, get a high five if we need it, and go on...

~Kelly
Just a writer ;)