A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

We know that parents and home educators often feel like they aren’t living up to their own ideals, which can lead to a crisis of self-esteem. As we face new seasons in life, our previous skillsets might not always be adequate for the task at hand, leaving us feeling frustrated, lonely, and sometimes like we’re failing.

So, how do we move forward with courage and clarity?

We’re delighted to have Meera Lee Patel on the Brave Writer podcast today to help us chart a course through the winding maze of adulthood. Meera is a best-selling author, known for her book “Start Where You Are,” and uses her colorful artwork and perceptive essays to help us navigate each stage of life and the emotions that come with it.

Our conversation with Meera is insightful and uplifting, as she shares her wisdom on embracing the journey of self-discovery and growth with grace and resilience.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Meera’s personal journey and the inspiration behind her books
• How to embrace change and adapt to new stages in life
• The power of self-compassion and forgiveness in overcoming setbacks
• Practical tips for maintaining mental and emotional balance during challenging times

Join us in welcoming Meera Lee Patel to the Brave Writer podcast and explore her wisdom on finding your way through the maze of adulthood.

Show Notes

Letting Go of Productivity Guilt

It may come as no surprise to those who know her, but Meera is a self-professed workaholic. She shared her personal struggle with productivity guilt, which was rooted in the intersection of American and immigrant cultures. Becoming a parent helped her gain perspective and prioritize what truly matters, as she found herself focusing on her child’s needs and valuing the time spent with her. Parenthood provided her with a filter to distinguish between work that was important and what could be set aside in favor of more meaningful experiences.

One key takeaway from our conversation with Meera is the importance of focusing on what’s in front of us, rather than getting bogged down in the endless cycle of what we could or should be doing. Children, by nature, are not oriented towards productivity but are more focused on the process of learning and discovery. By leaning into the freedom that children embody, parents can find inspiration to challenge the harmful mindset of productivity guilt and instead embrace the value of the journey.

As we strive to create a nurturing environment for our children, it’s essential to recognize the cultural values that have shaped our beliefs and practices. By acknowledging the ways we’ve been indoctrinated and identifying the values we disagree with, we can raise our children in a culture that, instead of the constant pursuit of productivity, prioritizes:

• personal growth,
• self-worth,
• and the joy of learning.

Check out Meera’s new book, “How It Feels to Find Yourself,” releasing on May 23rd, 2023.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on navigating the various stages of life with courage, clarity, and a strong sense of self.

Resources

• Meera Lee Patel’s website: meeralee.com
• Purchase “How It Feels to Find Yourself” by Meera Lee Patel
• Connect with Meera on Instagram: @meeraleepatel
• Subscribe to Meera’s newsletter, “Dear Somebody”: meeraleepatel.substack.com
• Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
• Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
• Want help getting started with Brave Writer? Go to bravewriter.com/getting-started
• Sign up for the Brave Writer newsletter to learn about all of the special offers we’re doing in 2022 and you’ll get a free seven-day Writing Blitz guide just for signing up: https://go.bravewriter.com/writing-blitz

Connect with Julie

• Instagram: instagram.com/juliebravewriter
• Twitter: twitter.com/bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter

Do you ever wonder if there are benefits to letting your kids reread, rewatch, and revisit their favorite books, movies, and TV shows?

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we delve into this practice and its numerous advantages for children and their families, highlighting how revisiting beloved stories can foster:

• critical thinking,
• emotional growth,
• and shared experiences.

Show Notes

Developing critical thinking skills

When children reread or rewatch their favorite stories, they often notice new details, ideas, and patterns they may have missed initially. This process enables them to think more deeply about the story, the characters, and the overall themes. As they grow older and their understanding of the world expands, they will likely find new layers of meaning in the same story. This promotes critical thinking, which is a valuable skill that can be applied in various aspects of life.

Emotional growth and connection

Revisiting favorite stories can also provide emotional support and a sense of stability for children. Familiar characters and settings can offer a comforting escape from real-life challenges or transitions. Moreover, discussing these stories with their parents or peers can foster emotional growth by helping kids understand their feelings and share them with others.

Bonding through shared experiences

One of the most significant benefits of encouraging kids to reread, rewatch, and revisit their favorite stories is the opportunity for families to bond through shared experiences. Parents can read or watch along with their children, creating moments of connection and conversation. They can also create family traditions around specific books, movies, or TV shows, strengthening their relationships and creating lasting memories.

Introducing the “90-minute idea”

We love the concept of the “90-minute idea,” which encourages parents to set aside 90 minutes to explore their children’s interests. By investing time in understanding their passions, parents can support their children’s learning and creativity. This approach can help uncover hidden talents, skills, and knowledge that may not be evident in traditional learning environments.

The joy of buddy reading

Buddy reading, where two or more people read the same book and discuss it, is a valuable experience for children. It allows them to share their thoughts, opinions, and emotions about the story, fostering a deeper connection with both the material and their reading partner. Parents can also participate in buddy reading by leaving margin notes in books for their children to discover, creating a unique, interactive experience.

Creating book clubs and discussion groups

Parents can support their children’s love for rereading and rewatching by organizing book clubs or discussion groups. These gatherings encourage children to engage in conversation and analysis, which can lead to a lifelong love for learning and intellectual exploration.

The practice of rereading, rewatching, and revisiting favorite stories has numerous benefits for children and their families. It promotes critical thinking, emotional growth, and shared experiences, while also encouraging a love for learning and intellectual exploration. By supporting this practice, parents can foster strong connections with their children and help them develop valuable life skills.

Resources

• Book Club Classes: Arrow Book Club and Boomerang Book Club
• Literature Handbooks with reading comprehension questions and book club party ideas: https://store.bravewriter.com/collections/literature-singles
• Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
• Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
• Want help getting started with Brave Writer? Go to bravewriter.com/getting-started
• Sign up for the Brave Writer newsletter to learn about all of the special offers we’re doing in 2022 and you’ll get a free seven-day Writing Blitz guide just for signing up: http://go.bravewriter.com/writing-blitz

Connect with Julie

• Instagram: instagram.com/juliebravewriter
• Twitter: twitter.com/bravewriter
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter