Tag Archives: one year ago

One Year of My Debut Poetry Book ‘If I Bare My Soul’!

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One year ago today, I took a leap of faith (no pun intended), and released my first-ever book. It was something that had always been this distant dream of mine, but one that seemed like so far-fetched of an idea. However when I found self-publishing, I was finally able to officially pursue this project last January. By July, I had a complete collection of poems and strings of stories woven together straight from my heart.

July 10th, 2024, a day that was supposed to be marked by excitement and self-fulfillment, instead had a dark cloud looming overhead. By this day, it had already been three days since myself and many of others in my whole city had been without electricity. Though I was briefly able to find just enough cell service to share my project, by then every place around me that once looked so full of life, seemingly turned into a ghost town. I spent many sleepless nights in a car, in the thick of summer’s heat, just praying to get out of this testing time as I’d deliriously watch the rise and fall of the sun. It wouldn’t be until two days later that I’d be able to celebrate my debut book having been published.

Fast forward a year later, as I observe all the lives affected by the recent devastating floods in my home state of Texas, I’m reminded of my gratitude for life. While my journey as a self-published author didn’t begin as planned, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know now that we  can have all these things in our lives meticulously planned out the way we’d hope for them to go, but these expectations might never come to fruition precisely as such, and we have to be accept with that. 

When I say I poured my all into this project, I truly mean it. Admittedly, I haven’t found the words to say (or write), since I spilled my entire soul on those pages bound in this book. It’s a tough feeling, that maybe this book is all I had in me, that I’ve got nothing left to say. Still, I continue to seek inspiration everywhere. I’ve learned to never force art, but to let creativity find me. So while it may seem like I’m achieving nothing in this period of stillness, I am giving myself this time to soak up life like a sponge, to examine the world’s stories, in order to authentically create as I feel the passion to do so. This is only the beginning of my story and I can’t wait to find out what’s next for me.

I want to express my deepest appreciation to anyone who has ever supported me along the way in this journey I’m on as a writer. To any and all family members, friends, or strangers that have purchased my book, I could never thank you enough. To me, this book wasn’t about the performance or numbers, but simply about having a physical representation of my passion for written expression. This was to prove to nobody but myself, that I can set upon anything I put my mind to, and that if my art should speak to anyone else in the world, then it will shall its way to the right people. 

Happy one year of If I Bare My Soul!

✍🏻📖🫀

One Year Ago

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During this time of isolation, I can’t help but think about what life was like one year ago.

Around this time last year, I was a senior in high school. Now, my heart goes out to all the current high school seniors, whose next steps are at the moment so uncertain.

Class of 2020, I know you’re not sure where your last year of high school stands right now. This was supposed to be the greatest year of your entire high school experience. But because of this terrible, scarily widespread pandemic, your school year has been compromised.

As I think about the fact that these students may not get their prom, they may not get to walk across the stage alongside their peers at graduation, it makes me wish I had held on to every single one of these memories a little stronger.

And I am so thankful…

I’m so thankful that one year ago, I got to countdown the days until graduation with my senior pictures, which included a whole photography session with two of my best friends.

One year ago, reuniting with our peers that we grew up with, we said farewell to the elementary school that raised us.

Although I was of course somewhat bummed out at the time, I am so thankful that one year ago, I performed in my last high school orchestra concert on my birthday.

One year ago, I decided super last minute to go to our senior picnic. Even though it had been relocated, we had a great time getting to miss a full day of school.

One year ago, I had the best group to go to prom with. Later, I was thankfully able to find my other friends amongst the chaos of dancing teenagers to get a quick photo.

One year ago, I got to have one last lunch with the friends that I had sat by, gossiped with, and shared many laughs with all school year.

I am even thankful for the stress that I felt one year ago, as I was finishing up multiple projects and final tests. That weight was lifted off my shoulders when I completed my official last day at school.

And finally, one year ago, I was sitting in a stadium amongst a sea of red, at the class of 2019 graduation. I’m so thankful that my best friend got to guide me across the stage that day as I received my diploma, not only because we had planned it since we were kids, but because that ramp was steep! I’m happy to have captured these final moments with all my friends, from just before finding our seats, to right after we could finally say “we did it!” I’m grateful that the same friends I share these memories from a year ago with are the same loyal, amazing people by my side today.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be unsure if you’ll get to have these monumental experiences. These are the memories that I will forever hold onto. Then, the world’s population was not quarantined inside their homes, worried of falling ill to a horrible virus. Life was seemingly normal just one year ago.