For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to write. As a child, one of my favorite games to play was anything that involved carrying a notebook around, making observations, and taking notes about what I found. I also loved (and still love to) making lists of anything and everything. I think it’s mainly because I feel like there is so much swirling around my head at once, and it makes me feel a little more in control to have all my thoughts neatly categorized on paper. The problem is that I make these lists in a bunch of different places, then lose them or throw them away, and have to start the process all over again.
When I started this blog, I did it for a few reasons. One, because I love to write (duh). Two, because I love reading other people’s blogs and wanted an account of my own life to look back on. And three, because I don’t really have many “hobbies.” I didn’t do it to make this a career, although it would be a welcome side-effect 😉
As I’ve now been writing consistently on this site for about seven months now, I’ve realized a few things. Most prominently being that I really want to write a book. That has always been a big goal of mine, and I have quite a few ideas floating around in my head for it, but for some reason I’ve never taken a step to make it a reality. I have also realized that I don’t like writing about shallow things. As much as I love reading and writing “day in the life” posts, I love the deep stuff more. The real, honest posts that I mostly read from other bloggers are the ones that resonate with me. The ones that make me realize that other great people out there in the world are going through something similar to me. I love gaining advice and knowledge from someone who has been there before me. And I am so grateful to all those people who share their lives so candidly day after day.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I strongly believe there is a purpose behind writing something down on a piece of paper or on the internet. Whoever the author is is trying to convey something, no matter how big or small that thing may be. And I am slowly learning that I want to be the type of writer that is intentional, honest, raw, and imaginative. I don’t want to write just to write, because I feel like I have to. I want my writing to evoke a change or a revelation in someone else. I want to show others what I have learned throughout my life, what I’m dealing with now, and what is next to come. Because those are the kind of writers that I admire and appreciate so deeply.
Although it can be really tough to write about what you want to rather than what you think you should, I really do believe that it has such a huge payout in the end. Sure, you might bring things up that you swore you would never say out loud, but that’s the beautiful thing for introverts like me. Writing allows us to say those things “out loud,” without actually having to open our mouths.
Have you ever said to yourself, “Okay. Today I am finally going to tell that person this hard thing that has been eating me up inside for months. I’m ready to let it go. I can’t hold on to this anymore”? Because I have. And then I go to see that person, get a huge knot in my stomach, freak out, and never say a thing. In turn, the issue continues to tear me apart. That is no way to live! For me, writing allows me to work around that anxiety.
From a young age, my mom taught me to write letters to people when I had something hard to say. I used to think this was really silly and kind of a cop-out, but the older I get, the more of a great thing I have found it to me. It allows me the time to get out absolutely everything I want to say without forgetting something in the moment. It also gives the other person some time to reflect on my words and think about their response rather than just reacting.
Blogging, writing in a diary, making lists, writing letters, authoring a book, and any other time when words get typed or written out give the author the opportunity to get something off their chest and out into the world. And when that happens, something beautiful occurs. Other people step up and say, “Me too.”
So with all that being said, I want to change the trajectory of my writing. I’m not really sure what that will mean for this blog, but I know it means that I am finally going to start on that book I have been dreaming about for years. I also know it means that I am going to write more letters – mainly ones to show my loved ones how much I care about them. Because sometimes I feel like I don’t say it enough. I also know that it means I am finally going to start comprising all my lists in ONE notebook. 😉
Also, along with writing comes reading. I want to read more books that inspire me and make me better – not just because I feel like I have to read it because someone said I should. It’s really all just about being intentional with how the hours in the day are spent. Except for the work hours, I feel like my days have just been absolutely flying by lately, and I want to be in the moment enough to remember them. So for those of you that are quiet writers like me, I hope you realize what an important thing it is to tell your story. <3
Comentarii