Back in July, I decided that I would spend a small amount of time every day practicing my writing. I started by picking random prompts and setting a timer. When I started doing these writing prompts, I wouldn’t say that my level of confidence in my writing was high. Honestly, after three months, it still is not very high. However, there are a few things that I have taken away from the last few months of writing. I was surprised when taking a look at the process, that it had changed my life in a positive way.
1. Writing is Therapeutic
At this point in my life, I have limited downtime. When I started writing these daily prompts, I was pretty sure that I would be mad at myself for taking away even more of that downtime. I didn’t want to worry about all the work and school work that I needed to do while I was doing my writing exercises. So, I chose to wake up earlier than I once had, set time aside, and become a more proficient writer. I was reluctant at first, thinking that time could be better spent sleeping. After a few months, my outlook is completely different. I go to sleep earlier and look forward to waking up to completing another writing. I have found that I have had less stress in my life because it gives me an opportunity to wake up to doing something that feels productive. There have been a few days that I have missed out on writing prompts and I notice a difference in the way that I orient my day. It is almost a necessity for me to wake up writing at this point, because it makes me feel as though I am the version of myself that I want to be.
2. It Takes Time.
You won’t notice a change right away, and honestly, if you don’t take a closer look you may never truly notice a change even though it is there. Writing comes easier to some than it does for me. I am still trying to find my voice, and that’s after writing nearly every day for three months. This is a skill that does not come easily and will constantly need to be refined. Successful writers are what they are because they have been doing so for a very long time. The beauty of this craft is that it is different for every single person. My voice is going to sound different than yours, and that is what makes it enjoyable. Everyone has stories, but not everyone gets to tell them. It becomes easier and easier to tell your stories the more that you practice. The payoff is not immediate, not even close. It does take a long time to refine your craft.
3. Creativity Has No Ceiling
This is the most beautiful part of what I have found. Creativity has no ceiling, at least not one that can be reached easily. The world is full of incredibly unique minds that can and have thought of things that no one else has before. The beauty in writing is that the possibilities are endless. In literature, we have seen plenty of different genres become popular. From historical fiction to high fantasy, there are plenty of well-written stories that have entertained us for years. Even stories that have been told a hundred times seem to find a new, creative way of being told. Writing styles change the same way that the human voice changes amongst every one of us. Through the last three months of writing, I have found that my creativity, not only in my writing but in my personal life has grown.
Even if none of the things are terribly important to you, I recommend sitting down and practicing your writing. It is one of the most useful skills to have, and the practice of writing refines so many other traits that you have. Being able to articulate better what you are trying to say is a skill that has a level of importance that we may not realize. Writing will help in a lot of different ways in our lives. Also, its pretty fun.