I'm bringing back Power Monday this week. I have been reading some great articles on writing and being a writer lately. In my UW (University Writing) class, we have been having some great discussions about writing and revision (obviously) as well. Let's just say, writing has been on my mind a lot and I really feel like expressing my feelings for it in writing (pun intended).
When you first learn how to write, you start with simply forming letters on wide lined paper with dotted lines, helping you to craft the letters as your shaky unfamiliar little hand experiences a new form of art for the first time. Those letters (more like vague symbols in the beginning) are crooked and bent, looking like you wrote them while jumping on a trampoline. With much practice though, you start to connect those letters into words and then into sentences with "two-finger-spaces" in between. I remember one of the first "stories" I ever wrote in Kindergarten was actually just a drawing of my brother with squiggly wave-like lines underneath it. I loved the story and was proud of it. It was all about my big brother Jimmy. My teacher asked me what is said. Even though no one could read it (since all that was on the page was up and down lines), I knew what it said. I "read" it perfectly and already knew I wanted to write again...and again.
However, during my teen years I really hated writing. I just didn't feel like I could express what I wanted effectively. Too many words with not enough meaning. No one could possible understand the thoughts I wanted to get down. I just could not find he words to explain things right. I was frustrated I couldn't eloquently craft the perfect essay or the perfect story anymore. My ideas were dried up and my words were stuck behind a wall. Really though, I created that block, that lack of confidence. I made writing a chore and I forgot about the beauty of the art that is was. I forgot about my younger years, care-free writing, just for fun, crafting silly stories in memo books. Just letting my mind connect with my hand and create something beautiful on the pages.
That's why I was a bit nervous about starting a blog. I was not a writer in the way I thought I had to be. I had so much to share, but I wasn't sure I would be able to do it. Thankfully, through this blog I regained that love of effortless creation. I learned again how beautiful words could be if you just let them come, nothing forced, just wait for those moments and then let your mind and hand go wild on the page.
More recently, my UW class has also increased my love for writing again. I think I really know the power that written words have now. It is beautiful and can be so raw; such a moving way to express yourself and your thoughts. Writing is the yoga of the mind. Just like I have found the wonders of expression through moving my body with yoga, I have found those same things through the movement of the hand in writing. The flowing of letters on a page, the release I get when I make my thoughts visible.
Writing is powerful. That is simply what it is...power. It is the power to express yourself. The power to move a crowd and provoke thought. The power to tell a story and have it remembered and tangible for years to come. It gives you the power to get angry, sad, forgive, put your accomplishments into words. It is the power to empty out your mind and release any struggle or stress that is clouding your vision. It gives you the power to craft something of your own, not just make something, but craft it. You find the power of your own style, flow and you discover things hidden in your mind that you didn't know were there.
Writing is a beautiful art of the thoughts and dreams of the mind that is painted for all to see with the hand. Anyone can write. Anyone can craft something amazing. Every thought, idea, dream, feeling, belief, opinion, hope, and worry you have is important and worthy enough to be written. Your writing has power, every word does, even when you may not believe it yourself. The more you write though, the more your confidence and love for the power you feel, will grow. Your writing will become an outlet. You will begin to make time for random stories, thoughts, and ideas to be written down on scraps of paper, napkins, the back of the cereal box. You won't want any of those words to be forgotten. You will write and you will see the power and wonder that writing is.
So tell me:
+ Do you enjoy writing?
+ Why is writing powerful to you?
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Sarah @ Happy + Healthy Taste Buds
I used to write a lot as kid too.. usually fiction short stories. I've definitely abandoned that as I got older--too busy. π But I do love to write. So it's super encouraging to hear how you've been able to regain your writing "flow" through your blog! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for reading!
Erika
Thanks for sharing! I also love writing, and have done so since I was a little girl as well. I do agree that writing on a regular basis is as you put it "yoga" for the mind. I have never actually questioned my writing... it as always come pretty naturally to me. I did stop writing for myself and my own stories for a while, when I started working as a TV writer. But now, with my blog, I'm also using my writing again as a relief valve to all my thoughts. I guess the most powerful thing about writing is the communicating part of it. Keep on writing and congrats on doing a course on it!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Erika! I am so glad people write. Reading others writing is just as inspiring and powerful and creating your own!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
Writing comes naturally to me as it seems to build up inside of me until I allow the words to escape. Writing allows me to process my emotions (both good and bad). My hope is that my words will encourage others and glorify God. I, too, believe that there is power in our words. Thanks for the encouraging post, Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! There is so much power in our words! I think everyone should write in some form or another!
Karren Haller
I find that writing helps me to express myself in ways that are so much easier!!! Sometimes is just better that way.
I am stopping by from Merry Monday party earlier this week and Now I have an invitation for you to stop by and link to yet another Party. Hope to see you soon, have a great week!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sometimes it is the ONLY way!
caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
what a great post, Rebecca! i would love to be a good writer! guess being a good reader will have to do π hehe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A good writer requires confidence first and foremost. If you've got that, then you're golden π
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet
As a huge introvert, I love writing because it's a "safer" way to express myself. My only hang-up is I can't stand being in the same room with someone reading what I've written. (Even if I had my mom proofread an essay in high school for me, I would have to leave!) I definitely appreciate blogging as a creative outlet. If I go too long without posting, I get the itch to get back into it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
AH! I am the same way! Haha....I have to run and leave the room if someone is reading something of mine! It is SO awkward, haha!
Linda @ Veganosity
What a wonderful post Rebecca. I love to write, and I remember when my son was in high school and his English teacher told him that he had an incredible imagination, but his fear of writing wasn't allowing him to express himself. He told him to write everything that he was feeling, without worrying about grammar, and then, he could go back and start organizing those thoughts and ideas and turn them into a readable story. It was the best advice he ever received, because today he's a fabulous storyteller. Keep writing, you're doing a great job. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is wonderful advice! We all just need to write for ourselves first and find our voice!
Kelly
Love this post! I love writing. I can say things in writing that I can't always say out loud. And writing gives me time to process. Speaking is often faster paced...you need to really be on top of it to express yourself well. Sometimes I just need a little time. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too! I'm terrible with speaking. Something I want to really work on though. Writing has gotten so much easier for explaining things!
Farrah
Aside from music, writing is probably my other most longstanding outlet, so I'm super glad it's in my life. I've been keeping some form of a journal for so long that it's hard for me to remember what it was like before I started. π‘ I didn't like the constraints of writing as much while I was in school, but I'd usually find a way to bend prompts into what I wanted to write about instead. π
I'm glad you write! <3 I love your blog!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, that's how to do it! Middle school and high school writing was the worst! At least college we have more freedom. But obviously writing for ourselves on our own time is the greatest joy!
Athletic Avocado
I love this post! Writing is such a powerful thing! You are so right! It does much more than express your feelings! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Totally writing is just powerful in so many ways!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
This is such a great post, thank you. I love writing, and even if I don't share it on my blog, I'll write in my journal or in a word doc. I'm glad you started this blog and that you rekindled your love for writing through it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Of course my blog doesn't show all my real writing either! Some writing is just meant for our own personal use!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite
Writing is very therapeutic for me. I find that when I write about my thoughts I think more deeply about my life, plans, goals, etc... I love writing in my journal. It's important for me to document my life so that I can remember the good and the not so good events in my life. I love knowing that my son will be able to read through what I've written and get an idea of what life was like when he was little π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is such a beautiful thing to have for your son! Writing allows us to leave our mark, our legacy. It proves that we were here and we were real people with real thoughts!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Writing is pretty neat, I do want to work on more story-telling on the blog- there is always something to work on!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We are never done learning and growing with our writing!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
Writing is incredibly powerful! I write everything down - goals, plans, visualizations. I think keeping a diary is a wonderful way to discover yourself.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love writing everything! It is just such a magical ability to have!
Rebecca
I've found writing to be an amazing outlet for me since childhood. Your writing is very good, so keep it up!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Rebecca! π
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
This is a great post, Rebecca. I love writing and find it to be quite energizing (most of the time!).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I feel writing is more of a calming and grounding thing for me. Not so much energizing! It usually leaves me...content and settled!
Michele @ paleorunningmomm
This is a great post! I've always loved writing and find it easier to express myself this way than any other. I only wish I had started blogging sooner! I think you are a great writer and your thoughts and feelings really come through on the blog π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Michele! Blogging has made writing and expressing myself through words so much easier! It is awesome how much we can see ourselves grow through our blogs!
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness
I loved this post! I convinced myself to follow my passion for writing and applied for journalism school. When I write it is as if I am in a huge bubble that doesn't let noise break in. Time will pass and I won't notice. I feel at peace.....:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Writing is such a peaceful "therapy"! And good for you to follow that passion and make it they most it can be! That is so exciting!
Natalie
That was beautiful and quite true. Writing is a way to empty your mind without losing your thoughts.
I was not a very confident writer either. My sister is an amazing writer and poet, getting a masters degree in creative writing, so in comparison I always felt pretty mediocre at it. But my blog has made me realize that I am a writer too, just of a different sort π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Every writer is different! I know my writing isn't the most eloquent and some of it really does suck....but I still have pride in what I write even if someone else says otherwise! It's all up to you to see it as powerful!
Linz @ Itz Linz
i LOVE writing... hence, the blog π π i've always loved writing - it has been my favorite subject for as long as i can remember!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I've gone through my ups and downs with it, but right now I am IN LOVE with the power of words!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
I enjoyed reading this! I hated writing in high school because all of the tedious papers and essays made it feel like torture. That, and they provided no room for creativity. Half of the things I write don't get published but it's freeing to get my thoughts on paper...or a computer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I agree! When we are constrained and HAVE to write a certain way...it just kills the creativity and peacefulness. Once we just write to write, that's when we find the joy!
Carla
ahhh writing for me REALLY IS LIKE breathing
if I dont do it---I suffocate.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It IS so powerful and ESSENTIAL!
Krysten
Love this!! I actually find that express myself much freer and often clearer on my blog then I do when simply talking about some of the topics I covered. Especially when it comes to health stuff. If someone asks me how things are going my knee jerk response is always "okay", when there is often so much more to say. Blogging has been huge for this for me
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! I always say "alright" or "good" in real conversation. But in writing I can let out the raw true feelings I have!
Lisa (Mom)
I'm so excited for you that you have discovered and embraced the art of writing and the freedom and power that it gives you to not only be yourself, but to share that wonderful self with the world. Now, if only I could bring it back into my own life.... So proud of you! XO <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you <3 π I know you can too. Everyone can! You just have to want it, stop making excuses, and do it!