Life has a way of taking you on unexpected journeys, leading you down unimaginable paths. For me, my path involved a love for writing that I ended up burying beneath a heavy pile of everyday grinding responsibilities. I had always been passionate about the written word, firmly holding the disbelief that an image could convey more than a thousand words; but as bills piled up and obligations took centre stage, I found myself locked in survival mode.
Time went by and I started noticing I had less and less energy, less and less motivation for every day tasks. And then it hit me, I realised that there is more to life than just getting by, and I embarked on a soul-stirring journey of rediscovering my passion for writing.
Chapter 1: Falling in Love with Words
Since I can first recall, I have always been captivated by the magic of storytelling. Scribbling words in notebooks, pads, dusty surfaces and foggy windows, I discovered a world where imagination knew no bounds. Writing became my refuge, a safe place where I could express myself freely without feeling judged, where my dreams took shape on the pages before me, and where just being me was enough. I was enough.
Most of the things I wrote were just for me. I would write songs that no one would ever hear, poetry to express feelings I didn’t know I had to begin with, and stories I couldn’t quite believe never existed before. And in everything that I wrote, I left a part of me to be felt. A part of me, written for me. As time went by I would share the odd bit of writing with people and the joy of creating stories and connecting with readers was unparalleled. I never admitted it but I knew that deep down writing was more than just a hobby — it was a calling.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Survival Mode
As adulthood crept in, the practicalities of life demanded my full attention. Bills, rent, and responsibilities became the backdrop of my daily life, overshadowing the once bright spark of writing. My days consisted of going from job to job, from pay-check to pay-check, leaving no time to sit down and put pen to paper without any distractions. When I would sit down, I would just fall asleep or drift towards the overwhelming stress inducing pressures of the working life. Pressures to make ends meet which led me back to a job that paid the bills but left little room for creativity. At first, I tried to use any free space I had, carrying my own personal arsenal of stationary so I could take my daily shot of ink; but eventually tiredness set in and the flame I once had and took care off got extinguished, and all that was left was a winding, slowly fading smoke trail. A sad metaphor of my own existence.
Chapter 3: Awakening the Dreamer Within
In the depths of a messy, shift changing work pattern, a voice inside me grew louder, urging me to reclaim myself. I realised that merely surviving was not enough; life was meant to be lived, fully and passionately. And as I harnessed all my energy to be focused on myself, I started reading and suddenly, this urge to write appeared and I allowed myself to get carried away. I had pen and put it to paper. I didn’t know what I was going to write about but I knew I was going to write something. And just like that, there was a little spark at the end of the smoke trail and the flame was re-lit. It was time to embrace change and rekindle my long lost love affair with words.
Chapter 4: Taking the Leap
Rediscovering my passion wasn’t an easy process. Fear of failure and uncertainty clouded my mind; but I knew the regret I would feel by staying in the comfort zone offered by survival mode would be so much worse. Summoning courage, I took the leap. I slowly accepted that the career I was working so hard on was coming to an end. I would finish what needed to be finished, and I would start what I needed to start in order to pursue the dream. My dream. I began writing again, carving myself out each day to pour my heart onto paper. I was yet again, made of ink and letters.
Pursuing writing as more than just a hobby was not going to be easy. I had no references and I was terrified about not making enough money to keep surviving. I started a website which I would use as a portfolio to showcase my writing abilities. I sought freelance opportunities, submitted my work to publications, and immersed myself in the world of words. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but every rejection and challenge only fuelled my determination.
Chapter 5: Embracing the Journey
Writing became my solace, my therapy, and my expression of self. It wasn’t solely about making money and paying bills — it was about embracing the beauty of the process, the growth, and the surprises along the way; existing so I could live instead of living so I could merely exist.
Conclusion
Rediscovering my passion for writing was a transformative experience that taught me the value of living a life infused with purpose. I may not have all the answers or a guarantee of success, but the joy of following my heart is unmeasured. Through embracing the unexpected, I learned that there is more to life than just surviving; I get exhilarated chasing the adventure, and I get a thrill in discovering who I truly am, one word at a time. And so, with pen in hand, and a heart full of hope (and ink), I continue to unveil my path, embracing my own journey whilst enjoying and growing my passion for the written word.