You don’t need a bestseller.

I thought I did...

You don’t need to go viral.

I wanted to so bad...

You don’t need to be everywhere, all at once.

I wanted that validation when I launched my book...

Yes, those things are great, but staying focused on your mission is worth it's weight in gold.

What you do need is this: a deep belief that your words and stories matter—even if they only reach one person today.

There’s a trap many authors fall into—measuring their success against someone else’s highlight reel.

You see a post go viral, a book sell thousands of copies overnight, or an author land a coveted speaking gig.

And suddenly, your work feels...less than.

Here’s my truth: virality is fleeting.

It’s a spark, not the fire.

The fire? That’s the meaningful work you create.

The stories only you can tell.

The lives you touch in ways you’ll never even know.

Your impact isn’t measured by views, likes, or someone else’s metrics.

It’s measured by the quiet moments when a reader says, “This changed the way I see the world.”

Every author’s journey is unique.

Stop chasing someone else’s path.

Stop chasing viral.

Start being real.

The real is where the magic happens.

When you write from your heart, when you share your truth, when you stop comparing and start believing in the value of your voice—that’s when you shine.

Your work deserves to exist.

Your words deserve to be heard.

Keep going.

The right audience will find you, and their lives will be better for it.

#risingauthors #gardenwarrior