Quick announcement:
I’ll be at the main branch of the Charleston County Library tomorrow at 10 a.m. If you’re in town, come see me! It’s my second stop in my 2024 book tour. To see the full library talk schedule, click here.
I thought I’d start today by reading a paragraph from my memoir, “Girl in the Spotlight.” I’m sharing this passage because my firstborn child, the son who I envisioned in the final pages of the book, is now—suddenly and unbelievably—18 years old.
It doesn’t go by fast until you look back and see that it really does.
When Dillon was an infant, I’d play “Upside Down” from the Curious George soundtrack as I rocked him and danced around the nursery. He’d look at me and blink, like he was trying to focus on my face and figure me out.
“Girl in the Spotlight” is the story of my life before I became a mom. The lessons I learned didn’t make me a perfect mom, or even a better mom, but they gave me the courage to recognize when I needed to loosen my grip and support my kids on the path to finding their way own way in the world.
Recently I was interviewed by Lowcountry Parent magazine about my book and the writer asked, “What are the top three lessons you learned from your story that you want to impart to your children?”
I’m sharing them here, because we can apply these lessons to our own lives too.
People will tell you how to think and feel, but it’s important to take the time to figure out what you think and how you feel.
You’ll be praised for your accomplishments, but your achievements aren’t what make you worthy of love. Your life will be a mix of success and failure, and they both play an important role in your growth and development. But you don’t have to perform to be loved. You are already worthy, you’re already enough. Even if no one sees you, even if everyone sees you.
Pay attention to what lights you up inside. Even if it’s not the thing that makes you money or evolves into a career, it’s important to know what makes you come alive and make space for that thing in your life.
New on Instagram:
The sweetest surprise. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
I’ve come to terms with all the time I spend in the car.
Here’s one thing that has made me a more confident parent.
Upcoming Events:
My next book talk is TOMORROW! Come see me at the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library on Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 am.
More dates in my book talk series hosted by the Charleston County Library:
Tuesday, March 5 @ 2 p.m. – Hurd/St. Andrews Library
Thursday, March 14 @ 4 p.m. - Edisto Library
Tuesday, March 19 @ 6 p.m. – Wando Mount Pleasant Library
Saturday, April 27 @ 2p.m. – Baxter-Patrick James Island Library
I’m Angie Mizzell, the author of the coming-of-age memoir “Girl in the Spotlight”. Thank you for reading my weekly newsletter “Hello Friday”. I’m glad you’re here.
My website