Lisbon to the Stage
Lessons Learned from Improv
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Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a book retreat in Lisbon, Portugal. It was an invaluable experience that deepened my connection to my writing and helped me solidify something I had long hesitated to claim: the title of writer. Despite having written my whole life, I struggled with feelings of unworthiness, convinced I wasn’t skilled enough to truly own that title. But in Lisbon, surrounded by a community of fellow creatives and immersed in the magic of that dreamy European city, something definitely shifted.
One of the many memorable moments of the retreat was when we were asked to act out a paragraph of our books. Yes, I have a novel in the works, and the exercise of embodying my words in front of others was both terrifying and exhilarating. It forced me to confront my doubts and embrace the vulnerability that comes with sharing my work.
Since then, I have been building my audience on Substack, a detour designed to prepare the ground for the future release of my novel. It’s been a fun and rewarding journey, a space where I stay committed and true to my writing craft while connecting, reflecting, and engaging with like-minded creatives. To everyone who has subscribed, whether paid or unpaid, thank you. I’ve met my initial goal for my publication, and now I’m letting it grow organically, trusting the process.
But I digress.
At that retreat, some strangers-turned-Lisbon family told me I had great acting skills and suggested I consider improv when I returned home. I laughed it off, grateful for their kindness but not quite ready to take their suggestion seriously. Returning home, still riding the high of that incredible trip, I began to research improv classes. I was convinced none existed outside of large cities like New York or Chicago. To my surprise, I discovered an improv scene right in my local city, Providence, RI, led by the Providence Improv Guild.
What truly amazed me was their zero barrier to entry for anyone identifying as BIPOC, including a full scholarship to take classes and learn the craft. That was the sign I needed. A few weeks later, I began my first improv class.
Improv has been an unexpectedly transformative experience. It has taught me to get out of my head and into my body, to live as fully in the moment as my mind will allow. At its core, improv is about saying “yes” to whatever comes your way and then adding on to it by making it uniquely yours. This simple principle has resonated with me, especially in my role as a leader at work.
In professional and communal environments, it can be too easy to shut down ideas that don’t immediately align with one’s vision. I see it happen often. But improv reminded me to stay in my uniqueness and acknowledge and honor others’ contributions, even if they don’t perfectly fit with my original plan. Saying “yes, and…” creates space for collaboration, inclusion, and innovation. It’s not a magic fix for every situation, but it’s a powerful tool when many voices are contributing or should be contributing toward a shared goal.
Beyond practical skills, improv has helped me learn to trust my instincts and quiet my natural tendency to overthink. For much of my life, that overthinking was a survival mechanism. I was constantly assessing my safety, whether navigating spaces with men who felt entitled to me, protecting my kindness from being exploited, or code-switching to fit into corporate environments. I was always calculating my moves to leave situations physically and emotionally unscathed.
While I understand why those defenses developed, improv has allowed me to release them, making room for deeper self-discovery and growth. It has shown me that vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. That trusting myself can open doors I never imagined. From the streets of Lisbon to the stages of Providence, my path to improv has been a testament to the power of saying yes to new experiences, to my own creativity, and to the person I am becoming.
Shoutout Corner:
Shoutout to for nudging me to write about this particular topic. I appreciate how our conversations always become content for my publication!
Shoutout to and the Birth a Book team for their part in my success as a writer. That retreat changed my life for the better!
Shoutout to , , for being integral members of my tribe. Your love and support keep me going.
Shoutout to my husband and partner in life, I recently got advice to shout our love to the rooftops, so I will start here: I have bloomed and blossomed in this season to someone I absolutely love, and you are the fertilizer to my blooms. Thank you for being you. Cheers to our new chapter. It is going to be epic.
What have you recently said yes to? What resonated with you most?
Thank you for sharing your Improv adventure! Improv is always a 'hoot', but the lesson of learning + risk-taking stands out the most! Here's to taking chances + becoming!
Thank you for being you, a truly amazing and inspiring person! <3