Why writing?
Is writing actually an effective way of sharing ideas and communicating with others?
In an era of instant gratification accompanied with significant and still growing deficit in the attention span of people’s minds, communicating my ‘big’ ideas through writing may not seem a very clever way for some - if not for many-. Yet, I don’t really care if it’s ‘clever’ or not. For me, writing is a means of expression that frees me up, unlocks my imagination and captures the things I don’t always dare to express with my voice. It allows me the time and space to articulate my thoughts better. It also allows me to ‘speak my mind’ without feeling judged at the same time.
Judgement, criticism and seeking approval is a big theme in my life. It must have started from my direct environment during my childhood I guess, and then at some point in time I’ve also internalized it. And suddenly, I find myself having to deal with both external and internal sources of judgment. The result of this was that I’ve developed a personality of people pleaser that kept me safe and served me well for the biggest part of my life. Until it didn’t anymore…Interestingly, in the presence of external stimulus my inner critic becomes even harsher and more intense than any external source of judgment or criticism. On the other hand, I’ve noticed that in the absence of external stimulus, my inner critic takes also a step back and allows me to feel more peaceful.
Over the years I’ve noticed that my most peaceful moments are when I can express myself through writing. Specifically over the last 3-4 years where I had an identity crisis (or middle age crisis or awakening if you will), there have been prolonged periods when I’ve felt isolated, lonely and unable to share my thoughts with anyone around me- especially not with my closest ones-. During those times, journaling -alongside with crying- became my main tool of expression for emotional and mental discharge.
How does an identity crisis looks like? Well, it felt like I was walking down the street on a heavily foggy day feeling lost, scared and unsafe. Voices and feelings of despair, fear and uncertainty were constantly competing against my inner strength and need for survival, hope and certainty that all this happens for a good reason - even if I cannot see this yet-. Slowly but steadily, the fog would dissolve and I would begin seeing more an more clearly my surroundings, I could calm myself down and feel safe(r) again. But it was more than that. Because now, I was also able to see clearly also other people who were still ‘lost’ and ‘scared’ in the fog like me. And then my personal experience started to feel relatable to the people around me. During all this time and in my attempt to understand myself I started noticing myself in others all around me, I started making the links between behaviors, habits, beliefs and life experience. I started experiencing and understanding (not only intellectually) what I’ve been told or heard by coaches, therapists or spiritual leaders. And so I felt suddenly that all of this is not so unique to me, rather in many ways a collective, common human experience worth sharing.
I don’t have THE way and I am not promising THE solution to anyone’s life experience. No - one can provide this for you, but you! And better understand this early on! Only each and any one of us holds the keys to their own life. The journey we all came here to live, is unique. Yet, also relatable. Sharing my experience and views of the world- in my case via writing- is a way to make this journey less scary and lonely both for myself and for others. That’s all! Yes, many have done it before me and many more will do it in the future. And that is great! I wish all of us can do this one day! By sharing my personal experiences, thoughts, ideas, view of the society and the world, I am aiming in inspiring more people to do the same - in their own unique way-.
Finally, to answer my initial question… I believe writing remains a respectful and timeless way of communication. It allows space between the writer and the reader. Allows the writer to be exactly who they are and the reader the time to process the information through their critical thinking and imagination. It’s effectiveness is subjective, and thus not clearly measurable. If you are here, perhaps you also agree with me! But even if not, I appreciate you taking the time to reading this far.
