One of my favorite weekly to-do’s?

Writing the That Place You Love Round-Up!

It’s an honor to read original stories by real people. Scroll down for the recap.

All content on TPYL is written by flesh & blood human beings.

Rest assured, you’re reading real people’s stories here. That Place You Love’s weekly posts are 3-minute “flash” essays on a theme followed by a prompt to write & share. There’s no pay or pledge wall. No crosstalk or analysis. It’s easy to go back and read, reflect & respond on earlier posts.

The goal of this project & how it works…

You are invited to write about truth, lies, and the difference between them, to flex your writing muscles and refine your BS radar. I’m going old school and calling TPYL a Zine (a noncommercial often homemade or online publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter.)

TPYL had a strong turn out for the fifth Episode: Accolades

I wrote about the importance of knowing the rules of the game before expecting a medal or place on the podium.

New contributor Julia wrote about sending anonymous accolades to co-workers and undermining the very system depriving them of a healthy workplace.

Zig wrote about shedding her nice girl moniker to little effect until gifted the mask of a Hindu goddess who represented her true complexity.

Carole D pondered the significance of school and workplace accolades over the years… especially if a steak dinner isn’t part of the deal.

Intact Animal wrote about receiving his first accolade simply by being born and born fast!

Shirlé wrote about winning awards she didn’t feel she deserved and throwing them away without regret after schlepping them around for years.

Melissa wrote about an early relationship with a creative equal who could have been a competitor and instead consults her to sharpen his own skills.

New contributor Lisa M wrote about a competitive streak that rears its head when she’s in need of praise despite feeling average.

Amelia shared her first public performance where her parents showed up late with grandma’s meatballs on their breath instead of praise.

Pascale wrote about how power in academia supports us as easily as it blocks us from embracing our accolades.

Contributor Lisa H shared a post in last week’s Adornment about making peace with the attention her adornment brings her while differing her from others.

READ & HEART these writers & SHARE your own story in the comments.

That Place You Love

Killer Tomatoes & Sneaky Typos

Where accolades took me… I didn’t worry about receiving accolades. As an only child, I had no competition at home, and I didn’t feel the need to be rewarded for my efforts at school. In fact, I preferred to go unnoticed so I could cut classes when I didn’t do my homework…

2 months ago · 11 likes · 9 comments · M Tamara Cutler

Next Up: Romance

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. After working in advertising for years, I’d like to take Romance back for the people. On Monday, I’ll write about Romance through the lens of truth – anti-commodity / pro-humanity - and see what I come up with as a prompt.

How has Romance played a part in your life? Make a list of five unconventional, non-Hallmark, non-RomCom examples of romance to prepare for the prompt!

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More to come on Monday….

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely, for real.

Michelle

That Place You Love

That Place You Love: Gimme Truth Zine