Introvert

“Authenticity means erasing the gap between what you firmly believe inside and what you reveal to the outside world.” -Adam Grant

In this place where I am in my life, I feel so much freedom to be myself. I mean, I could be freer, but we’re working on it. The good thing is that I no longer have to pretend like I’m an extrovert. I can spend my time doing things I’m passionate about in peaceful environments. Those are environments I get the privilege of creating for myself. I love connecting with people, but at the same time, I’m drained by hours of conversation. You’d never know it, though.

What I Want

Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier and healthier life. — Germany Kent

I’m excited to start this new week. I get to focus on my writing, health, career goals, and my family! Phew, it’s a lot, but it’s what I want! I love my life. It’s crazy—ten years ago, I thought I loved my life, but I’ve fallen even deeper in love with it. The wisdom I’ve gained has allowed me to love my life in ways I didn’t know was possible.

In what ways have you learned to love your life?

Silent Moments

In the middle of my day, I was left alone and took that time to chill in silence. For some reason, being sick (again) put me into a sensory overload. So, I washed dishes in silence, and it really soothed my soul. Unfortunately, not my cough. The good thing is that I was able to self-regulate, contribute to my family, and bring myself peace so that my body can continue to heal itself.

What kind of things help you when you’re overstimulated?

For the Love of Learning

Honestly, I’m shocked! I didn’t know I’d ever find it. Before I tell you what I found, let’s talk about learning. Learning is a part of human development. One of my favorite quotes is from Michelangelo: “I’m still learning.” There was a point in my life when I was shocked that someone of his caliber was “still learning.” What do we need to stay in the lifelong learning mindset?

Curiosity is the answer! Now this is no new idea. That’s the whole point, isn’t it? How do we spark our curiosity? Well, as a writer, my curiosity is gold. If I’m not curious, I’m not very fulfilled by my writing. One of the things that I’ve learned that I need to spark the flame is low-pressure environments where I can truly find a love for the topic in my own way. Let me tell you what I found!

This semester, I had 2 professors who created environments where I fell in love with the topics and found my own way to learn the subjects: Astronomy and Abnormal Psychology. Now, I’m no professional astronomer! But my curiosity has been piqued enough to want to keep learning. Psychology I’ve been studying for years, and I have a real heart for the topic. I still want to keep learning!

Yay!

One more semester down. One more semester closer to my goal. Yay! I celebrated with a cranberry-orange mocktail and movie night with the family! We even had popcorn and freshly baked brownies.

I have been chatting with my close friends from high school, who are now considered my sisters. We’ve been talking about celebrating our achievements big and small. So today was the perfect day for me to do that. I often get frustrated with how long it is taking me to finish school. It doesn’t seem like a semester is worth celebrating, but we’ve been talking about how important it is to love ourselves, and how appreciating our efforts no matter how small they feel is one of the greatest ways to do that!

Writer’s Life

“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.” – Octavia Butler

It feels good to have something I’m committed to building every single day of my life. Before writing I didn’t have much discipline. I had a bit. I knew what I wanted, so I had some direction but I didn’t have this. Now I have this and writing friends and folders filled with writings. ::Deep Sigh:: Love lives here. It lives here among all the other emotions. Logic possibility imagination, it’s all here. It all lights me up.

A Butterfly

“On paper, things can live forever. On paper, a butterfly never dies.” – Jacqueline Woodson

The blank page is yours to dominate. You don’t need permission to fill a blank page with your desires. Sometimes I do feel like I’m seeking out permission or hoping a magical little writing fairy will hover over my shoulder and nod in approval. The thing is, I’m the nodder. Well, that’s how it feels. At this point, before sharing it with my writing friends, I have to validate my own work. And even while taking feedback, I need to make sure I’m appreciating my own unique style. Writing has so many beautiful pieces to it and I’m truly learning to enjoy the ride.

Better Together

“True literature can exist only where it is created, not by diligent and trustworthy functionaries, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.” – Yevgeny Zamyatin

Haha! Come, many come all! Let’s write together, something that makes us feel all the pings of life: Joy, Pain, Sorrow, Surprise, Rage, Love. We don’t have to travel this writing path alone. We can write side by side, sharing our thoughts and feelings, our big lessons and tiny joys together when time allows.

Ready

“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” – Frank Herbert

There’s no real end, just where you stop. ::Insert frustrated grunt here:: I’m so close it hurts. I’m not too worried about what I’ll do next just yet. I’m sure I’ll figure something out. I just want to get to the point in this novel where I’m ready to stop.

Possibilities

“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” – Albert Camus

If there is even a small part of you that wants to share your story, do it. There are a million ways to add to the collective in a positive way, and writing is one of them. There are a ton of ways to write your story! There are just as many ways to share it with the world. On top of that, the evolving technology means even more ways to create. I know it sounds like I’m selling this hobby; I’m not. I just get excited when I am reminded of all the possibilities that await me as a writer.

Are trying anything new as a writer?