Find Your Cheer Section:
The Kindness That Lifts Every Passion
Julie Johnson
A retired educator, Julie is a poet at heart whose love for language is blossoming into new creative territory. Recently encouraged to explore songwriting and fiction, she’s embracing the challenge of storytelling in all its forms. In 2024, Julie published her first book, a children's book, titled BESSIE. With encouragement from other writers, she has written several songs and is currently working on her first novel. A proud member of a supportive writing community, Neuse River Writers, Julie believes in the magic of kind words and the power of encouragement to unlock our boldest ideas. A lifetime resident of Johnston County, she resides with her husband on their farm, and enjoys spending time with her kids, grandkids, and doing anything outside that takes her away from household chores!
Every creative journey begins with a spark—an idea, a dream, a quiet desire to try. But let’s be honest: that spark can flicker. Life gets loud. Doubt creeps in. And the blank page, stage, or canvas can feel like a mountain.
That’s where encouragement comes in. Not as a fix-all, but as a lifeline.
As a writer, I’ve been uplifted by kind words that came just when I needed them. I’ve heard “you can do it” from voices that helped me silence my own inner critic. I’ve been nudged out of my comfort zone—invited to write in new genres, to take creative risks I might never have dared on my own. All because someone's words of encouragement helped me believe that I could.
Much of that encouragement came from my writing group—an incredible collection of people who lift each other up, celebrate wins (big and small), and catch one another when the doubts get heavy. They remind me that creative work doesn’t have to be a lonely endeavor.
And here’s what I’ve learned: we all need our cheer section. Whether you’re a writer, a dancer, an entrepreneur, a student, a teacher, or just someone trying something new, find the people who’ll champion your efforts. Seek out communities that celebrate your growth. Surround yourself with voices that don’t just critique—but encourage, affirm, and believe in the beauty of what you’re building.
Encouragement isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. So let’s be generous with it. Because someone’s next step, next chapter, or next breakthrough might just be waiting for the words, “You’ve got this.”
