Some say that life is but a series of moments stitched together, and our stories are the thread. The art of writing a memoir is capturing those moments with authenticity and raw emotion, ensuring the reader feels the heartbeat of your journey on every page. This pursuit of understanding oneself, of painting one’s history with words, is something Birgit Itse knows all too well. Born in Estonia and later making her home in Scotland, Birgit’s life transformation and passion for storytelling are both captivating and inspirational.
In the latest episode of the Create your Kindspace podcast, Birgit openly shared the pivotal moment in her life when she realised that despite checking all the conventional boxes of happiness, she still felt a void. From her beautiful home in Estonia to her blossoming professional career, Birgit had it all. Yet, the dream of living in Scotland and writing her story continued to tug at her heartstrings. Thanks to a conversation with a dear friend, Birgit embarked on a personal growth journey that saw her trading the known for the unknown, embracing change, and taking brave leaps to follow her passion.
During our in-depth conversation, Birgit delves deep into her transition, her insecurities as a non-native English speaker, and how the support of friends and mentors, especially her writing coach Jamie Jauncey, helped her overcome them. Through her journey, she beautifully illustrates how life sometimes requires us to push boundaries, both personal and geographical, to find our true selves.
Alongside her personal revelations, Birgit shares insights into her book, The Alphabet of Life, a mosaic of reflective writings and prompts that encourage readers to explore their emotions and narratives. Her deep love for Scotland and her unique perspective shine through her writing, giving readers a poignant and heartwarming view of her experiences.
In this blog, we present snippets from our podcast conversation with Birgit. Through her words, her struggles, and her inspirations, we hope you too are encouraged to pick up a pen and start writing the chapters of your own story. Because, as Birgit so aptly puts it, we are all writers in our own right, and our stories deserve to be told.
Crafting Life Stories: The Art and Magic of Birgit’s Writing Process
In the conversation between Caroline and Birgit, the significance of encapsulating one’s life stories was brought to light. With Caroline probing deeper into how one can delve into the daunting task of capturing life’s wisdom, Birgit shed light on her journey and the hurdles one might face when penning down memories.
“So, it all comes down to just putting down the first words,” began Birgit. Addressing the insecurities many face, she pointed out, “Not every person believes that they can write.” She spoke passionately about how many, including herself initially, underestimate their ability to be creative with words. The fear of perfection stops many in their tracks. Birgit believes one should detach from the thought of publishing every word they write. The idea is to “write first, edit later.”
Comparing the writing process to driving, she explained, “If you can drive a car or you can ride a bicycle, then try to imagine yourself just adding speed and breaking at the same time. Not very effective, isn’t it?”
An essential tip Birgit offered was finding the time and space conducive for your creativity. Some might find solace in a bustling cafe, while for others, the calmness of early morning proves beneficial.
“There are books being written 15 minutes a day,” Birgit remarked, highlighting that one doesn’t need vast chunks of time to write. All you need is commitment.
Birgit emphasises the concept of free writing: writing spontaneously, allowing one idea to lead to another. The goal is to create without interruption or self-criticism. This can even mean jumping between chapters if that’s where the inspiration takes you.
The process isn’t about sticking rigidly to a structure. Instead, it’s about adapting. While some might prefer having a predetermined outline, others find freedom of expression in letting their words dictate the direction. Birgit adds, “If, while writing one chapter, inspiration for another strikes, don’t shelve it. Dive into that chapter and capture the thought.”
Birgit warns against sharing too early in the process. Feedback can be invaluable, but sharing prematurely might lead to undue doubt and insecurity. The complete story can’t be captured in just a chapter or two; it’s the culmination of the entire memoir or book.
“Do it at your own pace, in your own way. Once everything is penned down, then comes the time for reorganising and refining.”
All in all, capturing one’s life story is a journey, not a sprint. It’s about cherishing the process as much as the outcome. Birgit’s insightful words encourage everyone to embark on this journey with an open heart and mind.
The Intricate Web of Memory and Imagination
In the intricate dance of life’s experiences, the boundaries between memory and imagination often blur. As Caroline and Birgit’s conversation deepened, Birgit’s insights into the complex web of personal narratives stood out, offering a fresh perspective on how we perceive our past, present, and future.
Birgit shed light on memoirs’ expansive scope, challenging a common misconception:
“Another thing about memoirs is that you don’t need to be retired to write a memoir.” Memoirs, as Birgit highlighted, can capture fleeting moments or short spans of one’s life, as opposed to the comprehensive nature of biographies. She even introduced the compelling concept of a ‘teaching memoir’ — personal reflections that impart lessons to readers.
Touching upon the interplay of memory and imagination, she stated:
“Memory and imagination are related. They’re like brothers and sisters.”
But what caught attention was the intriguing idea of ‘future memory.’ To elaborate, Birgit clarified:
“Future memory is that when you see yourself doing certain things in the future and you go into that fantasy so often that it becomes as strong as a memory.”
The power of this visualisation practice wasn’t lost. By drawing strength from past achievements and visualising oneself in aspirational future scenarios, Birgit believes one increases the tendency to achieve those goals. As she confidently put it:
“You’re more likely to make it happen because you believe it’s doable.”
One of Birgit’s closing remarks truly encapsulates the essence of her perspective on life and aspirations:
“If you want something, you find ways to do that. If you really don’t want, you’ll find excuses.”
The intertwining of memory and imagination offers a compelling lens through which one can view their life journey. Both Caroline and Birgit bring to the table invaluable insights that inspire introspection and action.
Embracing Bilingualism and the Power of Creativity
“Being bilingual has its pros and cons, as everything in life, doesn’t it?” Birgit reflects. As she navigates between her Estonian roots and her life in Scotland, Birgit shares her experiences as a writer and entrepreneur. Drawing from the complexities of being multilingual, she points out, “Sometimes I can’t remember anything… like my mind is completely blank. I know that there’s a word to describe what I want to say, but I can’t remember that word in neither of the languages.” And yet, despite the challenges, the beauty of Birgit’s linguistic journey shines brightly.
It’s the subtle distinctions, the delightful surprises that being bilingual brings. It allows her to see the world in ways that a monolingual individual might not. As Birgit puts it, being bilingual has enabled her to redefine meanings, and “turn weaknesses into strength.” The creative spark ignited by her unique perspective on language leads to unexpected and delightful turns of phrase.
Birgit’s approach to creativity is grounded in her belief that everyone has an inner writing genius. It’s not about fitting into a box or following a stringent set of rules. She encourages playful exploration, advising, “Just forget for a bit all the grammar and all the rules, and just play. Just going back to that, just put everything on paper.” For her, the creative journey is about authenticity and discovering one’s voice amidst the chaos of the world.
Finding Balance in Life’s Hustle
Birgit’s energy and undeniable passion for writing, combined with her rich life experiences, captivate those around her. Yet, with all her energy, she underscores the significance of pausing and reflecting. When the topic shifts to personal wellbeing, Caroline questions, “What do you do when you feel out of balance?”
Birgit’s answer is both simple and profound. Nature is her refuge. “My ‘me’ time is usually my favourite beach, Don Mouth Beach,” she reveals. The harmonious sound of waves, the gentle murmur of the sea breeze, or the endless expanse of the horizon; nature serves as her backdrop to recharge, contemplate, and revitalise. For Birgit, the thrill of Latin dancing also offers moments of joy, expression, and freedom. At other moments, it’s the tranquillity and reflection that writing imparts. It becomes her medium, in her words, for “Sorting out my thoughts.”
Birgit’s reflection, “Everything in nature rests,” and her comparison of life’s moments to the seasons is a gentle reminder of the importance of balance. Nature, with its ever-changing landscapes, offers lessons in resilience, growth, and rest. Embracing its wisdom, Birgit concludes:
“Let’s be more like nature. Let’s have our opposites. Let’s have time to rest. Let’s have time to sprout, blossom, fall, and winter.”
In a world continuously on the move, perhaps it’s these pauses, these moments of introspection, that truly guide us toward our truest selves. As Caroline aptly recalls a quote from Birgit’s book, “Maybe the path of pauses is the fastest way to the person you’d like to be.” It’s a sentiment that captures the essence of their conversation: the dance between hustle and rest, creativity and pause, chaos and calm.
You can find out more about Alphabet of Life book and purchase your own copy here.
If you are in the Aberdeen area, Birgit is running a writing workshop on the 18th of Oct 2023: https://www.eventbrite.fi/e/unleash-your-writing-genius-tickets-722854315717
To listen to the conversation in full head over to the Create Your Kindspace podcast here.