'I Am ...' (your last 4 words)
An explorative writing journey for the curious & the brave
Pilgrim writers, I recently shared a post about my mother’s last four words.
They were these: “I am a traveller.”
It was not until my mother died that I learned who she had been in life. You can read why this matters here, in the post I published about my mother’s ‘I am …’ statement.
This month’s short writing journey for self-insight is an exploration of your ‘I am …’ statement.
I have run this exercise in writing groups. It’s powerful - and it’s challenging. You’ll know when you’ve landed it.
My mother’s ‘I am …’ statement had nothing at all to do with her ‘identity’ or her ‘work’ or even what she was good at.
It was a statement of soul. A claiming of who she was in the world. A reflection of self to self.
So too your ‘I am …’ statement - it will have nothing to do with your ‘identity’ or your ‘work’ or even what you’re good at, at least not necessarily.
Your ‘I am …’ statement is a statement of soul. It is a claiming of who you are in the world, your reflection of self to self.
This ‘I Am …’ writing journey has three stages. Before you begin however, don’t forget The Writer’s Breath.
All writing at Writing for the Brave begins by entering the realm inside our skin, all your attention below the neck.
It is, after all, the body that does the living and the body that does the writing.
If you are working on a bigger writing project, such as a book or blog, reflect on how this writing journey can be adapted for your work.
‘I AM …’ - A WRITING JOURNEY IN 3 PARTS
PART 1
As you close your eyes, taking up residence in your body, inside your skin, sit gently on the Earth and when you’re ready, speak this statement to yourself: “I am …”.
“I am …”
It will resonate in your body.
Feel its vibration. Write its weight.
“I am …”
Finish that sentence.
“I am …”
This may or may not come easily to you. Be patient. It might take days or months or the rest of the year.
It took my mother a lifetime to put it in words and leave those words as testimony to who she was as she was born to be.
PART 2
Let three people pop into your mind who you admire for their gravitas – celebrities, politicians, movie stars, activists.
You are seeking people of weight, substance, gravitas. People outside your everyday reach.
List them.
Closing your eyes, coming inside your skin …
You are alone in a room with one of these people - which one?
Feel your weight and worth in your body. You too are a person of assuredness and gravitas.
Based on your ‘I am …’, what would you ask this person?
You are their peer, eye to eye, measure for measure.
Let your ‘I am …’ vibrate throughout your nervous system > what do you ask this person?
Be curious. They may know something that eludes you. You may have long had a question you’ve wanted to know about their life.
You are a woman of gravitas - you can ask anything.
Repeat this exercise for each of your three people.
After each encounter test your ‘I am …’ statement. Refine it if needs be.
PART 3
Claiming your ‘I am …’, for all the world, for the rest of your life.
Write your ‘I am …’ statement at the top of a blank page.
Reflect in writing:
what does my ‘I am …’ statement need from me to fulfil its promise?
what action must I take on its/my own behalf?
am I willing to take this action? (yes, no, no right, no wrong no judgement)
what changes are foreseeable if I take this action?
what changes are foreseeable if I do not take action?
if I am willing to act, what must I do to prepare for making my way in the world with gravitas?
And remember this: give it time. Give it patience. The process has begun. Let it take up residence in your body. Let it vibrate with quiet purpose.
Ultreia. Keep breathing low in the body, inside your skin. Keep reflecting in writing. Keep going.
If you would like further journaling guidance as you explore your living interior, Write Your Way Home offers 12 writing journeys for the brave + 3 for the bold.
“This book has passion, depth, humour and courage. It’s transformative, sassy, fearless and funny, a weaving of power and gentleness. It’s the kind of book that is worthy of the great masters but written for our times.”
Ali Symmons