Catherine’s poetic journey has been shaped by an ongoing exploration of self-awareness and authenticity. Her series of books, which begins with Better Look, continues with Better Looking, and will culminate with Seeing invites readers to join her on a path of self-discovery and spiritual growth. In this interview, Catherine reflects on her work and the powerful messages within her poetry.
1. What inspired you to take this poetic journey?
I began this journey after realizing that I had been focused on my external life—how I appeared in the mirror, what was in my closet, and what my business card said—while neglecting my internal and spiritual self. As I pursued a more spiritual path, I discovered that many women, like me, weren’t living authentically. My first book, Better Look, was about truly examining myself. Better Looking delves deeper into self-awareness, and my final book, Seeing, explores the shift from looking at myself to truly seeing who I am.
2. How do the first two books connect?
What journey do they take readers on? Better Look focuses on challenging superficial aspects of my life and encourages readers to look beyond physical appearances, societal labels, and external achievements. It urges readers to ask, “Who are you, really?” In my second book, Better Looking, I go deeper, exploring the trauma I’ve experienced and how I’ve transformed pain into spiritual growth. Both books invite readers to examine their own lives and reflect on their true selves. A key element in both books is that they include a journal for readers to document their own journeys of self-discovery that was elicited by reading these books.
3. What was the most challenging part of writing these books?
The hardest part was being brutally honest with myself. There are personal revelations about trauma and superficiality that forced me to confront my own vulnerabilities. Transitioning from a corporate perspective to a poetic one, or as I like to refer to it as to, Live life poetically. I had to let go of societal expectations and embrace who I truly am. It’s a painful but necessary journey—one that requires deep self-honesty. For me, embracing the truth of who I am was the hardest and most rewarding part of writing these books.
4. How does this poetry reflect your personal journey?
My poetry is deeply rooted in the need for self-disclosure. I aim to create a visceral experience for readers, one that is both spiritual and visual. My poems are accessible; readers can close their eyes, listen to the words, and feel my journey. When I perform my spoken word pieces on my album, Better Look, on Sound cloud, I want listeners to connect emotionally to my process of growth.
5. How do the poems help readers reflect on their own lives?
The honesty with which I address my experiences allows readers to reflect on their own lives. My poetry isn’t just about revealing my pain—it’s about growth and transformation. I hope readers can recognize their own struggles and find the courage to face them. For example, in one of my poems, I describe waking up feeling unfulfilled, bingeing on work, coffee, and consumerism. These are the things I had to move beyond. The poems reveal a path from superficiality to authenticity, and I believe readers will see their own potential for change.
6. What does authenticity mean to you, and how do these books explore it?
Authenticity is about peeling away the distortions—whether it’s a false persona or self-deprecation. It is about moving toward the truth of who you are at the core, and becoming comfortable with making the life changes in your life to live that way. In a fast-paced world, we often neglect our true selves in favor of meeting external expectations or turning to compulsions. Authenticity is a painful yet liberating process. These books explore the journey from living life according to imposed norms to embracing your true self, which can sometimes feel uncomfortable but ultimately brings peace.
7. What can readers expect from the final book, Seeing?
The final book in this trilogy completes the journey of self-reflection. While my first two books focus on looking at and understanding myself, Seeing is about truly coming to see who I am. In Better Look and Better Looking, I shed the layers of externality and begin to embrace my authentic self. In the final book, Seeing, I am no longer looking for myself, but am now on a path to seeing and knowing who I am. I have become comfortable with living. The book’s cover symbolizes this process: the first book shows me preparing for work at age 34, the second at age 55, and the third reveals my eyes—first with makeup and then without, symbolizing the stripping away of layers to reveal my true self.
8. What do you hope readers feel after reading Better Look and Better Looking?
I hope readers feel a sense of relief that they have options. These books aim to encourage women to feel comfortable in their own skin—literally and figuratively. I want readers to understand that they don’t have to conform to societal ideals of beauty or success; they can be empowered to be themselves. The covers, which show me in various states of undress, not airbrushed, emphasize that I hope to model for women, what was not always modeled for me.
9. What has been the most rewarding feedback you’ve received as an author? The most rewarding feedback has been from readers who felt that my poetry is accessible. Many people find poetry intimidating, but my writing resonates with them. It’s clear, emotional, and relatable. I’ve heard that readers appreciate how my work draws vivid pictures with words, allowing them to not only visualize but also feel the journey of self-discovery.
10. How do you plan to share this trilogy with the world?
I initially chose to self-publish to have the freedom to disclose my journey authentically and without compromise. My hope is to reach a wide audience, especially women, and help them understand that they can be true to themselves. This trilogy is about living life truthfully and finding peace in that truth. I plan to expand my reach through spoken word, performances, and further publications.
11. Do you have plans to explore new themes in your writing?
Yes! In addition to writing poetry, I’m working on books of prose, including one titled Humble Food, which explores our relationships with food and general food for thought. I’m also developing a book based on my meditation practice, Meditations from the Stone Soup Sangha, which will reflect on my work helping others find their authentic selves through meditation and creative expression. I’m also collaborating with an artist to create a children’s book about love and connection, titled Need Love.
Catherine’s work is a testament to the power of poetry to help us understand and embrace our true selves. Her books not only invite readers into her personal journey but also provide tools for readers to embark on their own paths of self-discovery. With a focus on spirituality, authenticity, growth, and emotional transparency, Catherine’s poetic life continues to inspire and empower those seeking to live authentically. Catherine’s books are available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Ingram. For more information on Catherine and her art, please visit her website a-poetic-life.com. Her social on Tik Tok, Instagram, FaceBook and YouTube is all under the name, Catherines Poetic Life.