Why did I start writing?
This is my tenth post!
Yay!!!
YAY!!!
YAAAYYYYY!!!!!
One more time?
YYYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!
I hope you will excuse all the theatrics. I am just so ecstatic, thrilled, and totally freaked out that I made it to my tenth post. What an absolutely crazy thing it is, to write and to give my most random thoughts a proper form and publish it on this platform for others to read it. I was a nervous wreck when I hit the publish button on the Welcome post announcing the launch of this newsletter.
Until last December the only thing that I thought I was capable of writing was scientific research articles. In terms of writing achievements, my doctoral dissertation was the thing that I was most proud of. I still am.
The idea of writing this blog as an outlet as well as a way to learn more about myself, to get together with others who share my interests, and to share my life journey & learnings in the hope that it will eventually aid someone in their life journey never even occurred to me as a possibility. I didn't know I had this hidden talent within me. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.
This brings me to the agenda for today’s newsletter.
Why did I start writing?
To be honest, I don’t know. It was something I didn’t choose, rather, it chose me. And all I’m simply doing is honoring my soul’s call and treating it as a gift being given to me.
Like any other non-writer, my immediate reaction when the idea of starting this newsletter first popped into my head was “What would I write about?”, followed by other questions like, “Do I have anything significant to say?”, “What if I run out of topics to write about?”, “Would anyone ever be able to relate to what I write?”
And most importantly, “Would anyone want to read what I have written?”
I kept questioning and doubting my instincts, but eventually, the incessant nudge of my inner voice to step out of my comfort zone became too loud to ignore. Therefore, as a starting point, I set a not-too-ambitious writing goal which was to publish 10 articles over five months. I chose this time frame so that I had enough room to think, write, and edit (as well as procrastinate).
Being a reserved person, I often find it difficult to express my feelings and thoughts aloud. Moreover, my inherent tendency is to seek consensus with others. However, with my writing, I don’t seek consensus, approval, or validation from anyone. I have observed that all my pretenses and the walls that I have built around my heart fall away. In a way, this feels liberating because here I am my most honest and vulnerable self. I kept showing up each week thinking that perhaps by validating my own emotions and embracing myself as I am, I am allowing others to do the same. I hope so.
The things that I write about on this blog are the true essence of my being; a distilled version of me. It represents the most meaningful things I have learned so far in life. No one except my readers gets the most authentic, unfiltered, and raw version of me. With everyone else, I just end up playing a role. Some roles are my favorite others not so much. In the same way, some co-actors are my favorite others not so much. But that’s what makes life’s journey interesting, I suppose.
During these past few months, my inner critic was always loud and roaring. I tried my best to keep it calm and made it a friend, because 2022 was a year of personal growth, self-expression, and self-commitment. Both external circumstances and the internal desire to break free from the monotony of life led me down this path of writing. I have realized that life is all about building yourself up quietly in your comfort zone and then slowly but steadily stepping out of that comfort zone.
In many ways, this year was an eye-opener and felt like coming home after a long vacation. It is my deep desire to document my personal evolution to see how my perspective has changed and how it will continue to change in the future. I look forward to seeing how life unfolds and hope that all this chaos will eventually make sense.
Note:
The inspiration to write this article came after reading an article "Doing the write thing" written by
of . He is my favorite blogger, and I discovered Substack thanks to him. This article came out a couple of weeks after I launched my newsletter, and it was exactly what I needed. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. The words spoke to my soul and confirmed that I am indeed doing the right thing by following this writing path.
Quote of the day:
I have lived in the shadows for far too long, and I refuse to diminish my light for anyone ever again. Not anymore.
— Priya
That’s it for today.
In a world full of choices, thank you for choosing to read and subscribe to The Quotes Curator newsletter. I offer you all my deepest gratitude.
Happy 2023 in advance.
Priya.
I, for one, am glad you started this newsletter! I love reading your work and you don’t have to wonder who relates to it anymore, because I do. Congratulations! ❤️