Time to Write
Writing in my life has evolved over the last four months. Before the fall of 2020, writing was a source of anxiety for me. I would write something—an email, a Facebook post, a client document—then hit “send” with my eyes closed, hoping it made sense. One of my goals during covid was to invest in myself with classes. I decided to find writing courses.
Since the fall, I have taken two classes that have educated me, enlightened me, and given me confidence in my writing. I learned I didn’t have to be overwhelmed with all the rules I needed to know. There are books, apps, and exercises to help educate, support, and improve my writing.
What I have enjoyed most and learned from was free writing. When I first heard of it, I didn’t understand the “why” behind that exercise. As I did it week after week, I felt liberated. It empowered me. I do have something to say. Breaking down the writing process into phases, freewriting, proofing, and proofing again opened me to a new world.
As I grow on this writing journey, I have faced a new challenge—finding the time. I have seven blog subjects I want to research and write. I find writing is always last on my list. It keeps getting pushed to another day, which has created a new source of anxiety.
Although my writing has evolved, I will always be insecure with that voice in my head saying, “Someone can write it better than I can.”
We find time to do the things we love. If writing isn’t a pleasure, it will probably ease away as a long-term goal. However, learning how to communicate well, how to improve written products is a good talent for anyone as we are often required to use those skills. And how we use them can make huge differences in our lives.
Jessica: Per the last sentence of your piece. Yes, there are always better and worse writers—than anyone. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need or want to write it AND NO ONE can tell your story better than you can. Ariele
Jessica D. Bartlett, lives in Bothell, WA. She is the owner of Whiskers At Home, LLC a Professional In-Home Cat Sitting company, http://www.whiskersathome.com.
SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
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