From Self-Doubt to Published Author
For every dreamer who has ever doubted their voice— the path to overcome doubt and embrace your unique story.
Today’s post is a guest contribution from subscriber and reader Catherine Wilde. You can learn more about Catherine and her SoulCare Mom brand at the end of this article.
Enjoy!
The Giant Must Live Up There...
I can still vividly recall the magic I felt as a little girl, the way the world seemed so full of wonder and possibility. Hours would slip away as I got lost in my own imagination, weaving stories from thin air. Fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and my own whimsical inventions spun together. I would sit beneath trees outside my home, gazing up through their leafy canopies, imagining entire worlds beyond what I could see. I was certain giants lived up there, hidden among the branches, their massive forms tucked just out of sight.
I remember standing before an unfathomably large tree—a massive oak whose trunk seemed to defy logic. I reached out, pressing my small hands against the rough bark, feeling the ridges and grooves beneath my fingertips. Its trunk was impossibly wide, I couldn't even begin to wrap my arms around it. I tilted my head back, craning my neck until I could no longer see where the branches ended. The tree seemed to stretch forever into the sky, as if its top could touch the clouds themselves.
This must have been the very tree—or perhaps the magical beanstalk—Jack had climbed in the stories my parents read to me at bedtime. My young mind brimmed with wonder. I could practically hear the creaking of ancient wood, imagining the beanstalk’s twisting tendrils wrapping around the sky as it rose toward some distant, enchanted land. Standing there, it felt like anything was possible as the boundaries between reality and imagination blurred just enough to let magic slip through.
It was in those spaces of quiet, where my imagination roamed free, that I began to see the world differently. Those moments under the trees did more than just fill me with stories—they planted something deep within me, something that would grow slowly, quietly, over the years. A seed of wonder. But, like all seeds, its growth took time.
Becoming an author was an incredible journey, and it started long before I was an adult.
Even back then, stories pulled me in—sometimes whispering to me, sometimes crashing in like waves. Every word I read or story I invented felt like a spark, kindling something deep within me.
Recently, on a visit to the National Parks of Northern California with my family, I felt that same spark reignite. Walking among the towering sequoias, I was transported back to those early days of imagination. The trees felt like silent storytellers, each one holding the secrets of centuries past.
As I walked, my foot nudged something small. It skittered along the forest floor—a cone, small enough to fit in my palm. I was puzzled. How could something so small create something so massive? Intrigued, I dove into research when I returned home and discovered a fascinating fact: each cone holds an average of 230 seeds, but those seeds only release after being subjected to significant heat. Without that spark, that fire, the seeds remain locked away, unable to grow.
This discovery resonated with me deeply. Like those seeds, our biggest dreams often stay dormant until something lights the fire within us. Maybe it’s a challenge we face, a deep desire to make a difference, or a moment of clarity through the chaos. But it’s the fire—the struggle, the growth, the passion—that brings them to life.
The Road to Reclaiming My Inner Sparkle
For me, that fire was sparked after the birth of my first child. I loved being a mother, but as the days turned into sleepless nights and life grew more chaotic, I often felt like I was drowning. Exhaustion, overwhelm, and a sense of failure threatened to consume me. Despite the chaos, I discovered pockets of peace. Slowly, I began to prioritize my own well-being, learning to listen to the quiet whispers of my intuition.
I found that when I made space for self care—no matter how small—I became a better version of myself. I was more present, more patient, more loving. And as I navigated this new awakening, I realized I wasn’t alone. So many other mothers were struggling, just as I had been, and I knew I had to share what was helping me. From that small seed of an idea, Soul Care Mom was born.
Navigating Self-Doubt & Fear
Like any creative journey, mine was full of doubts—sometimes loud and impossible to ignore, sometimes subtle and lurking in the background, but always there. As my community grew and more women began reaching out to me, I felt the pull to share my story in a more tangible way through a book. But with that dream came an avalanche of self-doubt.
Who am I to write a book?
What if it’s not good enough?
What if I’m not good enough?
These questions weighed heavily on me, and I couldn’t escape them. The closer I got to actually sitting down to write, the louder those doubts became. Self-doubt has this uncanny ability to grow stronger when you're on the brink of stepping into something big.
But here’s what I learned: the doubts don’t necessarily go away. The magic happens when you approach self-doubt with compassion and continue to lovingly move forward.
If You’re Struggling With Self-Doubt…
Reconnect with Your "Why" Whenever the fear of "not being enough" crept in, I reminded myself why I was writing in the first place. I wasn't writing to prove anything to anyone—I was writing for the women who needed to hear my message. I thought about the women who felt lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves, and I knew that my story could offer them a spark of hope, a reminder that they weren’t alone. If you can reconnect with the core reason you want to create, it becomes easier to navigate through the fear. Your "why" is stronger than your doubt.
Accept That Perfection Is an Illusion One of the most paralyzing aspects of self-doubt is the fear of not being perfect. What if my writing isn’t good enough? What if it doesn’t measure up? But perfection is not only an impossible standard—it’s also unnecessary. Authenticity resonates far more deeply than perfection ever could. Readers don’t need flawless prose; they need your truth, told in your voice. It’s the imperfections, the vulnerabilities, and the honesty that make your story relatable and powerful. Let go of the need to be perfect and focus on being you.
Invest in Yourself Even When It Feels Scary It’s easy to feel guilty or selfish about investing time, energy, and even money into your dreams—especially if you’re balancing other responsibilities, like family or work. But the truth is, investing in yourself is one of the most selfless things you can do. By nurturing your passions and developing your gifts, you grow into the fullest version of yourself. And when you are fulfilled and aligned with your purpose, it has an incredible ripple effect on those around you. Investing in yourself is investing in your ability to help and uplift others.
Surround Yourself with Loving Support Doubt tends to isolate us, making us feel like we’re the only ones struggling. But that’s far from the truth. Gather people around you who support and believe in you—whether it's friends, family, or an online community of like-minded creatives. These are the people who will remind you of how capable you are when self-doubt threatens to overshadow you. Having a loving community to lean on helps you stay grounded and feel supported as you move toward your goals.
Progress, Not Perfection Each time a negative thought popped up—What if it’s not good enough?—I reminded myself that this journey was about progress, not perfection. It’s about growth, learning, and moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Every time I sat down to write, I wasn’t aiming for perfection. I was aiming for progress. And slowly, bit by bit, my book took shape. Keep taking those small steps toward your dreams.
Taking One Step At A Time
Even though self-doubt never fully goes away, it doesn’t have to stop you from achieving your goals. For me, each time I doubted my ability, I thought of the women I was writing for—the ones who, like me, had felt lost or overwhelmed at some point and needed to hear they weren’t alone. Every time I let the words flow onto the page, I knew I wasn’t just writing for myself—I was writing for her.
Your voice, your story, and your unique perspective are valuable, even if the road to sharing them feels scary at times. Take it one step at a time, and trust your path.
An Outpouring Of Love & The Magic Of Community
As the launch of Reclaiming Your Inner Sparkle approached, I realized something profound: this book, this message, wasn’t just mine. It belonged to the community of women who had been with me through this journey—those who had inspired the words on each page. I knew that releasing this book into the world was not something I could do alone. Books are never just written in isolation; they are birthed through the support, encouragement, and love of the people who believe in them.
So, I reached out to the beautiful souls in my community. I wrote an email inviting them to be a part of this next chapter of the journey. I was overwhelmed by the response. An incredible group of women raised their hands, offering to help spread the word, review the book, and cheer me on as the launch date approached. It was a humbling experience and I was filled with deep appreciation.
When the day of the launch finally arrived, I was brimming with anticipation. But nothing could have prepared me for the outpouring of love in the days that followed. Messages started coming in from readers, sharing how the book had touched their lives, helping them reconnect with themselves and nourishing them on their motherhood journey. Social media lit up with posts about the book— sharing photos, reflections, and heartfelt recommendations with their own communities.
What had started as a single idea in my heart had now grown into a ripple effect of connection. I felt the power of community more deeply than ever before.
This is a snippet of beautiful outpouring of love …
“What a lovely book! Catherine doles out reassuring wisdom in bite-sized nibbles, perfect for the 14-and-a-half seconds you have to yourself between cries of "mom, can I...?" or, in the case of newborns, just cries. As Catherine's soothing words fill your mind, you'll breathe in deeper, stand up straighter, and walk away refreshed and ready to face the day's adventures. Before you know it, you'll have regained your sparkle— and more than 14-and-a-half seconds to breathe.”
“This is the practical sequel to Anne Lamott’s book Operating Instructions. However, this one will speak directly to one’s personal experience as a mother. A must have resource for mamas to model to their kids what our future as humans and being empowered indeed are.”
“If you're feeling like you've been giving motherhood your all, and you feel like you're failing or you've lost yourself along the way, this is the book for you. Catherine is so relatable and not afraid to admit that motherhood is hard. Her book is here to tell you that you matter, too. It teaches you how to take care of yourself with prompts and practices sprinkled throughout to help you get your sparkle back. Definitely buy this book in physical form so you can open it randomly to a sparkle prompt and get the uplifting self-care support you deserve. Also included is a bonus gift link to guided meditations, yoga practices, playlists, and more to help you be more self-compassionate and get out of survival mode. As a mother of a spirited and challenging child, this is the parenting book I wish I had had years ago.”
Your Story Is Worth Sharing
Looking back now, I can see how every step of the journey was both necessary and transformative. What began as a tiny seed of possibility—grew into something far beyond what I could have imagined. But it wasn’t immediate. Like the sequoia seed that waits for fire to open and release its potential, my journey needed the heat of trials and challenges to spark its full growth.
The fires I faced—doubts, fears, moments of exhaustion—were catalysts for transformation on my journey. They tested my resolve and forced me to dig deep, to stay rooted in my purpose even when I felt uncertain or overwhelmed. Every time I navigated those moments, I felt a new layer of strength growing within me. And with each step, the vision became clearer, the purpose more defined.
So, if you are on your own creative journey—if you’re nurturing that small seed of possibility—I invite you to remember:
Your story is what makes your book unique. No one else has walked your path. The very things that make you doubt—your imperfections, your struggles, your personal journey—are what make your story powerful. Don’t hide from them. Embrace them.
There are souls who need to hear your message. There are people out there waiting for the words only you can write. They are searching for the light you bring, the comfort and inspiration you can offer. Don’t let fear stop you from sharing that gift.
Your voice matters, and your story is worth sharing. The world needs your light. It needs your perspective. No matter how small or insignificant you may feel at times, your voice is the seed that can grow into an incredible source of inspiration for others.
Your journey is meant to shape you, to prepare you for the moment your work will take root and flourish. Trust your path. The seeds of your story—planted in the fertile soil of your experience—will grow. And it will be more beautiful than you ever imagined.
Author’s Note
A heartfelt thank you to Renee for this invitation to share my journey from the spark of an idea to becoming an author. It’s an honor to reflect on the twists and turns, the challenges and triumphs that have shaped not only my book but also the person I’ve grown into along the way.
This experience has been a reminder of the importance of authenticity and the magic of community. I hope that by sharing mine, it resonates with you in some way and sparks a light within you to take that next step on your journey—whether it's writing a book, pursuing a passion, or embracing your unique path in life.
Remember, your journey doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours. And that’s what makes it beautiful.
About Catherine Wilde
Catherine Wilde is a mom of three, Founder of Soul Care Mom, and Best Selling Author of Reclaiming Your Inner Sparkle. She is a life coach for moms, a yoga & meditation teacher, and the creator of the transformational membership Vibrant Mom Life. She is passionate about helping women get out of survival mode and release mom guilt so they can truly enjoy motherhood. She believes you can feel calm and find your unshakable confidence as a mom when you first care for yourself.
Learn More About Catherine
Website: https://www.soulcaremom.com/
Reclaiming Your Inner Sparkle: https://www.soulcaremom.com/sparkle-share
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