The Art of Storytelling with Morgan Harper Nichols
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When I stumbled,
I stumbled
not backward,
but forward.
So when I fell,
I fell into grace.
- Morgan Harper Nichols
Poet Morgan Harper Nichols speaks the words that my heart doesn't know it's trying to say. On a whim I reached out to one of my favorite poets, Morgan Harper Nichols, to be on The Refined Collective Podcast. When she replied yes, I was OVER THE MOON! She writes poetry that I'm sure you've seen, even if you didn't realize it. She also spent time as a touring musician and collaborates with her sister on songs that have found success on Spotify and at the Grammys! This episode, we dive deeper than her achievements and I get to know Morgan, her doubts, and her dreams. Now it's your turn to get to know her.
Pushing Through Pushback
As a creative, she saw fellow creatives around her moving through their careers and lives with confidence, something she didn't feel she had.
"God gave me these gifts to create things and be creative but at the same time I didn't feel as dynamic or interesting."
Through all of this there is one major pushback: DOUBT, the subtle lies that tempt us to buy into their convincing narrative over her truth.
One of her major doubts is in her compatibility with her passion. She is not always open about her feelings and finds that she needs to think through feelings before she can express them.
Beyond all of this, being self-employed can be scary. This idea that it could all disappear in a moment is something I can relate to completely.
She doesn't let these fears slow her down.
"There's more to the story. There's a reason you've made it this far."
Intentional Pursuit of the Dream
Social media became popular when she was in her late teens and it gave her an outlet for when insecurity and doubt felt overwhelming.
She is very intentional about her social media use and it makes all the difference when these platforms can be draining.
"I go to share first, and then I consume."
She never goes on Instagram when she has free time to spend. She goes on to share and, when she needs it, to look at a collection she has of posts that inspire her.
"There is nothing wrong with dreaming." She keeps her dreams unattached to people or places. She focuses on her vision for herself and the way she contributes to the world.
Serving Others to Find Yourself
She started writing poems directed specifically to individuals who had reached out for them.
Looking back at those poems, she found pieces of herself hidden in them.
"Oh wow, that was for me all along."
Working through her emotions is always a process, but serving others has helped her find the words.
It's important to sometimes just pause and listen to others. "I pay attention to what stands out to me, it's typically telling me something about myself."
She often looks to the past as well. She recognizes that memories that stick out in her mind from childhood are sticking out in her mind for a reason all these years later. They all hold meaning."I have such a passion for memory."
"She doesn't have to be someone else's version of interesting in order to show up and be comfortable in the world."
Morgan's Favorite Things
Instagram has opened her eyes to the beauty that is storefronts."There is this whole world of people who just really love looking at storefronts and I guess I have joined them." (If you're into storefronts, she recommends the account @storefrontcollective)
Google Home was a present from her parents and she uses it all the time, including having it read out information about canyons.
"Wherever you are, you are still free to make the most of every single day."
Go out and use your gifts, tribe. I am so grateful for Morgan and I hope you enjoyed this episode. Go find Morgan Harper Nichols's Instagram and Website and send her a message; she loves starting conversations with you!
XO,
Kat Harris