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The Creator’s First Draft: How Journaling Prepares You to Be Seen and Heard
George Torres
June 01, 2025
Hello Cultivators,
A few months ago, I was speaking at a workshop in the Lower East Side. The room was packed with creatives—some just getting started, others already deep in their craft. I asked one question:
“When was the last time you told your story, not to impress someone… but to connect with them?”
Many of us were meeting for the very first time.
Naturally, a silence swept over the room. Then, slowly, hands went up.
One woman shared how her poetry helped her grieve her mother.
A young man talked about documenting his journey as a trans artist in the ballroom scene.
A grandmother stood up and said she started a podcast to share Puerto Rican folklore so her nietos wouldn’t forget where they come from.
Different ages. Different struggles. Different platforms.
Same desire—to be seen, to be heard, and to feel like they matter.
And that’s the magic.
Storytelling unites us.
No matter where we’re from, what we do for a living, or what our follower count says…we all carry stories that make us human.
We tell stories to process pain.
And when done with intention, storytelling becomes a bridge.
Between strangers.
Between generations.
Between movements.
Be clear…
You don’t have to be an influencer, poet, or podcaster to be a storyteller.
If you’ve ever said, “This reminds me of a time when…” you already are one.
The key is to stop waiting until it’s perfect.
Your story—as is—can be the survival guide for someone else.
Try This Quick Storytelling Exercise:
Here are 3 quick ways to tap into your story today:
Voice Memo Your Truth – Record a 60-second reflection about a turning point in your life. Don’t edit, just feel it.
Tell a Friend – Call someone and share a story they’ve never heard about you.
Post With Purpose – Share a moment (good or bad) from your journey on IG, Threads, or TikTok. End it with a question: Has this ever happened to you?
Before You Start Your Week…
What story are you afraid to tell—but know it could free someone else if you did?
Drop it in a journal, a DM, or right here in the comments.
We’re building a culture where every voice matters.
Because whether you're building a brand, healing a wound, or just figuring it all out...
Storytelling is how we remember we belong.
Let’s keep growing. 🌱
—George
Siembra Lessons is where we break down key takeaways from the creator journey—hard-earned wisdom, business insights, and real-life strategies to help you grow. Whether it’s a personal story, a case study, or a lesson learned the hard way, this section is all about planting seeds of knowledge so you can cultivate success.
🪴 Journaling as a Storytelling Practice
WHAT
Journaling is the most accessible form of storytelling we have.
It’s you, your truth, and a blank page. No algorithm. No pressure. Just presence.
At its core, journaling is the daily act of documenting your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to better understand them. It doesn’t need to be poetic. It just needs to be real.
WHY
Because clarity doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from witnessing your thoughts.
Creators, activists, entrepreneurs—we’re constantly pouring into others. But journaling is how you pour back into yourself.
Here’s what journaling can do for you:
✅ Track your growth (so you stop doubting it)
✅ Process emotions before they turn into burnout
✅ Unlock stories that were buried under survival mode
✅ Connect the dots between your past and your purpose
✅ Build your voice before putting it on a public platform
WHEN
Make journaling a daily or weekly ritual. You can:
Start your day with a Morning Despojo (clears mental clutter)
Close your day with a Gratitude Log (anchors your wins)
Or journal after key life moments to unpack them in real time
Pro tip? Pair your journaling with a timer and a beverage. Light ritual = deeper habit.
🔥 Ready to Learn the HOW?
Join me for a Cultivation Call where I’ll walk you through my personal journaling system that I teach to creators and clients. I’ll show you:
My 3 go-to journaling prompts for clarity + content
How to create a sustainable journaling ritual (even on your busiest days)
How to mine your journal entries for shareable stories, captions, and pitches
🎯 This is for you if:
You want to write more, heal more, and connect more deeply with your audience (and yourself).
Reflection Prompt:
If your journal could talk, what would it say you’ve been avoiding?
You don’t have to answer that publicly.
But answer it somewhere.
Because when you write it, you face it.
When you face it, you free it.
And when you free it… you grow.
Creator Spotlight showcases a standout creative who is making waves in their industry. Learn about their journey, projects, and insights, and get inspired by how they’re building their brand and impact.
Most of our features come from creators I come across on my timeline daily—but I know YOU are connected to some amazing talent I may not have discovered yet. That’s why I’m opening up the floor…
Are you or do you know a creator who deserves to be featured?
We’re looking for creators, entrepreneurs, and artists who are making waves and have a story to tell. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a movement, or creating game-changing content, we want to highlight your journey!
📩 Send your submissions to [email protected]
My Creator Toolkit is your go-to resource for the best apps, platforms, and strategies to streamline your workflow and level up your content game. From AI tools to social media hacks, this section equips you with everything you need to create smarter, not harder.
Journaling is literally a way of life for me…
So let me put you onto something that’s become mission control for my entire creative life: Notion. You can literally use anything from a hard copy journal, notes apps, an email designed frus to get emails from you or even Evernote.
(these are all the ways I have dome it)
I use it to journal my thoughts when I’m overwhelmed or need clarity.
I draft chapter notes for my upcoming book when inspiration strikes on a layover.
I even map out content calendars and write first drafts of this very newsletter—right there in Notion.
I used to have sticky notes, voice memos, half-written docs, and ideas scattered across five different apps. Now? One hub. One flow. One space to build the life and legacy I’ve always dreamed about.
Notion has become the headquarters for all of my creativity.
Here’s how I break it down:
🧠 Journaling Hub – I created a daily template where I can brain-dump, track gratitude, and log voice notes when I’m on the go. It’s part reflection, part content idea machine.
📖 Book Notes + Chapter Outlines – I store every single idea, quote, or story I might include in Cultivating Connection—organized, searchable, and always available.
📬 Newsletter Planning – I keep a running list of topics, headlines, drafted sections, and CTAs. Some weeks, I write the whole issue in Notion and just copy/paste it into Beehiiv.
🎥 Content Calendar – From YouTube thumbnails to Threads prompts, everything starts in Notion before it hits the timeline. It’s where the seeds of content get planted.
If you're a creator trying to juggle your voice, your visibility, and your vision… do yourself a favor and build your own digital greenhouse in Notion.
Because it’s not just about being organized.
It’s about honoring your creativity with structure that lets it bloom.
Growth Opportunities is where you’ll find grants, brand deals, job openings, and other ways to expand your reach and income. Whether you're looking for funding, collaborations, or new platforms to showcase your work, this section helps you tap into opportunities that move your creator journey forward.
Due to a changing political climate, some of what I have posted may have ceased to exists… I will research these a little deeper and will send in place of the Creator News Drop on Wednesday. Thank you for your patience with this.
-George.
Upcoming Events highlights must-attend conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities for creators and entrepreneurs. Whether virtual or in-person, these events are designed to help you learn, connect, and grow your brand.
Podcast Movement Evolutions – Los Angeles (Aug 19–22, 2025)
One of the biggest podcasting events of the year, bringing together creators, marketers, and media professionals. Sessions focus on monetization, growth strategies, and industry trends.
Why it matters: Whether you're just launching your show or scaling your listenership, this event puts you face-to-face with leaders from Spotify, Apple, and other key platforms.
🔗 Read More: https://podcastmovement.com/evolutions/
AfroTech Conference – Austin, TX (Nov 13–16, 2025)
A premier tech and innovation summit for Black professionals and entrepreneurs, featuring panels, pitch competitions, and brand activations.
Why it matters: This is the spot where tech meets culture. Great for creators looking to expand their networks and land major brand or VC opportunities.
🔗 Read More: https://experience.afrotech.com/
VidCon Anaheim – Anaheim, CA (June 25–28, 2025)
The OG creator conference bringing together influencers, fans, brands, and platforms. Features creator keynotes, workshops, and expo floor collabs.
Why it matters: It’s still one of the best places to connect directly with platform reps and showcase your work to brands IRL.
🔗 Read More: https://www.vidcon.com/anaheim/
Nas Summit NYC – New York City (June 21–22, 2025)
A creator-focused conference curated by Nas Daily, designed for content creators to collaborate, learn new strategies, and build lasting connections.
Why it matters: With a global creator lineup and practical workshops, this is a great place to sharpen your storytelling and video skills.
🔗 Read More: https://www.nassummit.com/newyork
Tastemaker Conference – Virtual
A food-focused creator event that blends business strategy with community building for bloggers, chefs, and foodpreneurs.
Why it matters: If you create in the food, lifestyle, or wellness space, this is a chance to learn SEO, content strategy, and connect with sponsor-ready brands.
🔗 Read More: https://tastemakerconference.com
Hosting or attending an event I should know about?
I love spotlighting gatherings that help creators grow.
📩 Submit your event: [email protected]
Want more updates like this?
📬 Subscribe to the Siembra Connect Newsletter to stay in the loop with creator-focused happenings around the world.
Mental Health Resources is your space for tools, tips, and support to help you navigate the ups and downs of the creator journey. From managing burnout to setting boundaries, this section provides practical strategies to protect your well-being while building your brand.
CreatorCare is Here — for Us
This new telehealth service was built just for creators, with sliding-scale therapy options.
Why it matters: Burnout is real, and the creator economy finally has its own wellness tool.
How was this weeks newsletter? |
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