It’s always a little bit scary doing some self-reflection. Thinking about what things really mean. It sounds corny, I know, but to be honest, its totally worth it. And doing it in front of a camera, that’s even more enlightening.
A few weeks back I became aware of the “what I see project“, a campaign that provides a safe place for women to speak their mind, to share their thoughts, doubts, fears and joys. And then, funnily enough, they asked me to be a part of their launching project.
So, the deal was, have a think about what you see when you look in a mirror, come to a filming day, tell us what it is, and off you go. Write about it, job done.
So, when it came down to it, I thought and planned and thought some more. Did some practicing, even stood in front of a mirror to get some inspiration. Definitely not recommended on a hangover, or very early in the morning.
The thing is, I’m not much of an internal reflector. I’m someone who likes to talk about what other people do. I’m someone who likes to help others tell their story. I like to be the one asking the questions.
So trying to tell my own story in a concise, eloquent and (hopefully) inspirational way was rather tough. And I only got one question. How was I supposed to say everything I saw in response to one question?
When I got there, and actually sat down in front of the camera, what I said surprised me. I was free to say what I wanted, and what came out was totally unplanned.
Which makes me think that its more true to who I am than anything else I’ve done.
I recently read an article on Ed Yong’s blog, which had Robert Krulwich’s speech to a class on it, verbatim. It was an awesome speech (definitely recommend reading it), and one that completely rang true to home.
He talks about the journalism and the industry that surrounds it, how it has changed since he started it in, and how today many people aren’t waiting for opportunities to come to them, they are going out there and getting them on their own. They are starting blogs, podcasts, youtube channels, films, the works.
This is what I do. I take life by the horns and go after what I want. In a realistic way, of course. I know my limits, I know my weaknesses, and I play to my strengths.
These are the things I see when I look in the mirror.
What do you see? Why not have a go, you might end up saying something completely different to what you had intended. It’s a good thing.
You can upload your video to the What I see Project, and join the hundreds of women who are uploading their personal reflections.
I know pass the baton onto Carina Sullivan of Carina100 who will share what she sees when she looks in the mirror.