As I was writing my novel I would end each writing session by emailing it to myself with a little love note. Reading them back years later and moved by the self-compassion from my younger self. "Keep going" "Don't give up" "I am so proud of you" It feels a gift to look back at the journey with writing Keeping the House, as we approach the one year bookiversary. Between 21 and 24 years old I was going through a lot of self-doubt, wondering if it was silly of me to be hiding away with my pen. At some points here I was getting berated at the job centre, other times working 7 days a week, at one point getting my Masters degree. So glad to have the day that I received my beautiful cover options from Rich (@lostintottenham) cemented here too. And to see the places I would write like McDonald's, the office toilets, on the train... Sometimes I would say things to myself that my self-belief hadn't caught up with yet, and thank God I did. When you back yourself and love yourself, great things happen and you open the door for a type of positivity that will give you strength for the steps ahead. I really do believe that a lot can be done if you're coming with kind intention. Kindness to yourself. Kindness to others. Love x