We recently connected with Ashleigh Marie and have shared our conversation below.
Ashleigh, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Wow, I love this question! This took me a long time and quite a journey of unbecoming to cultivate and embody. It’s a space within that I’m still growing into. When I began to embrace my sensitivity and depth as gifts and learn how to work with it, a lot began to shift. As well as, experiencing environments where I do feel at home amongst fellow artists, entrepreneurs/ small business owners and creative souls! That experience brought home all the times in my life where I felt I didn’t fit in, whether in an area or amongst groups of people. It came from realizing, I was born for something different. For a journey where each step I take, continues to unfold. My effectiveness comes from embracing that feeling, staying true to my path, trusting the creative process, and a whole lot of inner development along the way! It also comes from fostering meaningful friendships and a connection to community. Success to me has always been defined differently, I focus on the dreams in my heart and the lives I touch, the ones who I know and will never know. Starting out sharing my poetry in community, I took the leap because I felt a calling in my heart and soul to do so. I realized through each event and opportunity, there was a deep resonance and transformative nature to sharing. The ancient art of storytelling and expression that brings healing to the soul and to humanity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Developing and launching, A Fearless World, has been a personal homecoming journey, yet through it has become something beyond. What started as a personal blog in 2019, to move through the fear of sharing my writing with the world, shape shifted back to my deep (and first) love for poetry during the pandemic. At a time where many industries were forced to take a pause, including my full time healing art practice, I experienced a loss for words and my writing shifted to less words, more meaning. A Fearless World was planted and grown from the essence of fear facing. From first calling myself a writer, a poet, an artist, and becoming an author, every step has involved facing fear and leaning into the liminal space. I realized on a day where I was searching to reconnect with my why and deeper meanings through life’s waves, it was in my manuscript. I realized those words and poems that were what I needed to hear when going through those experiences, were perhaps what could bring comfort and solace to others. Bringing my first anthology, Where The Woods Meet The Sea, a poetic journey home, a five year collection of writing to life, was a beyond words experience. It was a long time dream in my heart and continual work in progress. I look forward to doing it all over again for future books! My individual framed typewriter pieces and poems, I love creating as sentimental gifts from the heart. From love poems, to grief, to nature, and everything between. Nature and music are huge inspirations to me and have been my whole life. Coming up, I have some amazing community artisan events, holiday markets, and collaborations that I’ll be part of with local small businesses/ entrepreneurs and more! The best way to stay updated and in touch is on my Instagram @afearlessworld and I am also working on a newsletter! If you’d like to connect or collaborate you can also email me at [email protected] or through my website at afearlessworld.square.site.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Believing in yourself, trusting your unique path and gifts to share with the world are essential! Perseverance and learning to ride the waves of the entrepreneurial and creative lifestyle are stretched and strengthened along the way. Every experience we go through we have the opportunity to grow from in one way or another. Fear of failure is up there with one of the deepest human fears, and yet, incredibly transformative in facing it. Learning is always a success.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear, By Elizabeth Gilbert, is one of my favorite books. It’s captivating, honest, and empowering in a genuine way. I love how she shares her journey and practice with deepening the trust within herself. It didn’t just happen! She pushed herself and had encouragement along the way.
“So you must keep trying. You must keep calling out in those dark woods for your own Big Magic. You must search tirelessly and faithfully, hoping against hope to someday experience that divine collision of creative communion— either for the first time, or one more time. Because when it all comes together, it’s amazing. When it all comes together, the only thing you can do is bow down in gratitude, as if you have been granted an audience with the divine. Because you have.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Contact Info:
- Website: afearlessstory.square.site
- Instagram: @afearlessworld
Image Credits
Photos 1 & 6 captured by: Megan Therese Photography
Photo 2 captured by: Only Love Photography
