I have a confession to make. As the release of my book, The Locust Years, has gotten near, I have gotten cold feet. Maybe you could attribute it to imposter syndrome, or self-doubt. Maybe a little of both. Besides my natural tendency toward doubting my own Self and her motives, there’s also the fact that it’s the story of some really private stuff.

And so I started to wonder – Do I really want to publish this book that is a product of my personal mental health journey? Because, to quote Anna Nalick in one of my favorite songs, “I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd ’cause these words are my diary screaming out loud and I know that you’ll use them however you want to.”

But then I thought about the reasons I decided to publish this book in the first place. I remembered that kid I used to be – hurting, afraid and so alone, crying herself to sleep at night. And I realized I have to publish this book because it carries important messages of stigma breaking, solidarity and hope for healing.

So what can you do to overcome your own self doubts when you know deep down that it’s important to do a thing?

In my blogs and videos, I’ve talked a lot about the power of words. I live by it after all! A strategy I have used ever since I was a kid was to give myself a pep talk – something along the lines of “You can do this!” As I got older, it evolved to telling myself all the reasons why it’s important to do it.

I use one of two basic ways, depending on how I’m feeling.

1) Journal a list of all the reasons.

Most of you know that I’m a high school English teacher. I spend a lot of time researching strategies that will help my students be successful. One that I use every year is the hand to brain connection. Did you know that you are 2-3 times more likely to do anything you write down? Who knew writing could be so powerful? 

In the case of my book, I sat down and wrote a list of all the ways it will help people. It was like a magic cure! My doubts faded quickly and as soon as I finished the list, I went back to working on the book.

2) Speak the reasons out loud.

I found this effective if I’m short on time or can’t focus enough to write. I’ll tell all the reasons to myself aloud. Psychology has found that speaking aloud provides an override to the emotion center of your brain. 

Sometimes I do it in the car on the way to a place where I am about to need it. Other times I look myself in the eye in the mirror and tell myself exactly why what I’m doing is worthwhile, and to get a grip already. It may be strange but it works!