Prof KRG

A practical resource for all writers.

  • Writing
    • Quotables
    • Nerd Notes
  • Leadership
    • Pub Manual 101 Series
  • Mental Health
  • Readings
    • Prof KRG’s Bookstore
    • Nonfiction
    • Fiction
    • 2023 Reading List
    • 2022 Reading List
    • 2021 Reading List
    • 2020 Reading List
    • 2019 Reading List
    • 2018 Reading List
    • 2017 Reading List
    • 2016 Reading List
    • 2015 Reading List
    • 2014 Reading List
    • 2013 Reading List
    • Blogs Worth Reading
    • Podcasts Worth Hearing

Mantras I Live By

June 24, 2022 by Kenna Griffin

When I started blogging in 2006, I met this fantastic group of women in the blogging community called “The Women of Midlife.” Sharon Greenthal and Anne Parris created the group for female writers. These women seemed to have it all together. They knew exactly who they were and what they were willing to deal with. Fast forward a bit, and I am officially midlife.

I celebrated my 45th birthday this week. I’ve thought about turning 45 more than I care to admit. I decided the alternative isn’t great, so I’ll stick with loving birthdays. Plus, as my daughter said, I’ve done a lot in the first 45 years. Who knows how much I’ll be able to accomplish in the next 45.”

While thinking about who I am at midlife, I realized that I have a lot of mantras I live my life by. These are things I’ve said repeatedly, picked up from others, or quotes I really love. They’re packed full of advice that I give myself and share with people I love who need them too. So, today, I’m sharing them with you.

A dark pink gift with a gold bow on a light pink background

45 Mantras I Live By at 45

Here are 45 mantras I live by, in no particular order of importance. I’ve attributed them when I can remember the source or where they came from. I didn’t attribute it when I quoted my mentor repeatedly. That’s what he gets for being my mentor. Take what you need and leave the rest for others.

1. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

2. Report the news, don’t be the news.

3. You come to your writing alone.

4. Once you know better, do better.

When the ideas are coming, I don’t stop until the ideas stop because that train doesn’t come along all the time.”

Dr. Dre

6. If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.

7. Don’t be a victim of your life.

8. Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself.

9. I’m more concerned if you don’t have feelings.

10. If you think everyone hates you, take a nap.

If you find that writing is hard, it’s because it is hard.”

William Zinsser

12. Have big kid conversations.

13. Marriage isn’t work. If you’re working hard, you’re in the wrong marriage.

14. I have a shovel and a plan

15. I no longer stay in rooms where I’m not valued.

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodies?” “But who will guard the guardians?”

Roman Poet Juvenal

17. If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door.

18. It doesn’t matter what you read — just read.

19. You’re smart, but everyone here is smart. Work harder.

20. Write until you’re done.

You happen to pull this shit while I’m in a transitional period, so I don’t wanna kill you, I wanna help you.”

Jules, Pulp Fiction

22. You have the freedom to be ignorant, and that’s the one you exercise the most.

23. If you could just push that out of your brain, what could you fit in?

24. No one cares how busy you are, how tired you are, or what happened at the airport.

25. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

26. Be careful what you teach them because that is what they’ll know.”

Managers make widgets. Leaders make change.”

Seth Godin

28. Put your ass in the chair and write.

29. Life’s tough. Get a helmet.

30. Be the adult you needed as a child.

31. Done is better than perfect.

The ants have megaphones.”

Chris Anderson

33. You can learn anything if you work hard enough.

34. It’s just a bad day. It’s not a bad life.

35. Put your ass in the chair and write.

36. I’m so sad that I can never read all the books I want to read.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

Mark Twain

38. Don’t tell me what they said about me. Tell me why they were so comfortable saying it around you.

39. If you want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.

40. I’m not competing against you. I want us all to make it.

I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time. I’d be stupid not to be on my own side.”

Maya Angelo

42. If I can just from the bed to the shower, I can do anything.

43. What could also be true?

44. One task at a time.

“Talk to yourself like someone you love.”

Brene´ Brown

Related Posts:

  • My 28 Favorite Fiction Books of 2021
    My 28 Favorite Fiction Books of 2021
  • My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
    My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
  • My 32 Favorite Fiction Books of 2022
    My 32 Favorite Fiction Books of 2022
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

Please let me know what resources you need or topics you wish you better understood. If I don't know the information, I'm happy to seek out someone who does.

Contact me via email at kennagriffin@gmail.com.

Quotables

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

— Henry Ford

About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

The archive

Prof KRG Insider

  • About
  • Contact
  • My Toolbox

Copyright© 2023, Kenna Griffin