I am at least a few weeks late. But, I promised myself to stay consistent with my writing.
Reading Update
So, I finished one of my three books, Children of Anguish and Anarchy, and it was so good!! I can’t wait to see the series come to life.
I quit reading Anastasia. I just could not get into it. Maybe in the future but it was a no for me. I replaced it with a book called Collide by Bal Khabra. It’s amazing and I dang near finished it in one sitting.
Designing Your Life is good. Unfortunately, it went back to the library, and I had to wait to get it again.
Also, it’s March, and the third book in the Legendborn series is out – I’m so excited!
Let’s Get into It
Last post, I talked to you about this season. I have been intentional about rediscovering the things that bring me joy. To recap that list, some of the things that bring me joy are:
- Reading
- Writing
- Traveling/Adventuring
- Sports
- Fitness
- Being Creative
- Fashion
- Designing
- The Color Pink
- Food
- My Abba (God)
How My Love of Writing Began
At first, I wasn’t really sure how to go about chasing after the things that bring me joy. But instead of overthinking it I just wrote. I started writing a list of things that made me happy and then I wrote about why. Writing is how I clear my head and quiet everything in my brain. It helps me to sort out my thoughts and communicate my feelings.
I got my first notebook at age 10.
To be honest I didn’t write much in it. I spent so much time ripping pages out of it that it eventually fell apart. When I was 12 though, as a graduation gift, my cousin gave me a notebook.
That one I wrote in. I mostly wrote who my crushes were. I included random tidbits about my life. It lit the flame that has yet to be extinguished. I have been writing ever since.
So naturally when I thought about things that bring me joy writing is at the top of my list. I have been writing so long that to not do so feels foreign. It is how I know something is off.
If I am honest, it took me a long time to actually see myself as a writer. For most of my life it was just something I did. I wrote in my notebook and sometimes wrote a blog. It was not until I was out of undergrad that I first thought of myself as a writer. But since I finally admitted what everyone around me already knew, I do my best to steward it well. There are days I have to force myself to write. Although it starts out tough, it quickly becomes easier.
Embracing the Joy of Writing
I have embraced the joy that comes with writing. I have also needed to welcome the discipline necessary to be a good writer. The desire to be a great writer means that I have to write often and consistently. That isn’t always easy. Distraction comes in and keeps me from starting or finishing a post. Self-doubt comes in to make me question if anyone will even read my work. I have learned and am still learning to enjoy the process of writing. That means meeting writers block head on when it happens and allowing myself to work through it. It means not allowing thoughts of self-doubt and low confidence to stop me from sharing my work. This also means not being afraid to write what is on my mind. Even when that means that it is hard to read back, or it doesn’t go beyond my notebook. It is freeing to give myself the grace to write something that is not great. I can always make it better.
As I have grown up my writing has changed and shifted with each season of my life. Sometimes I write my prayers. Other times I write out my frustrations and struggles. There are even times that I write out my dreams. All or most of them are in the form of letters to my Abba. He is the best listener. When I write my letters to Abba it almost feels like He responds from time to time. That is the best confidence booster, because if no one else reads my work, God does.
Closing thoughts
At the end of the day, I write because I enjoy it. It truly is one of the best and most fulfilling things I do. I am so very grateful that God has given me the gift of writing. I pray that I continue to grow as a writer. In the meantime, I will keep finding the joy in the journey to rediscovering me.
Challenge
Since it is Lenten season. my goal is to write every day.
I will still be posting every two weeks, and I will not allow an entire moth to pass this time.
What is a goal you have set for Lenten Season? Do you recognize the season at all?
How is your reading challenge going? Tell me about it.
