What Have I Learned in the Last 15 Days?

So it’s day 15 in my 31 day challenge.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d still be writing.  I thought I’d run out of things to say or that the fullness of life would become my excuse to quit.  I’m glad I’ve hung in.  And I’m thankful that you’ve hung in with me!

So I want to tell you what I’ve learned these past 15 days.

Writing is a positive way to do something with all the thoughts that seem to infiltrate and swirl around in my head. 

I like to think about things.  I like to ask questions and solve problems.  I like to understand what motivates me and others.  And I’m fascinated with human behavior.  But all of that can make me a little crazy.  I can sometimes spend too much time overthinking things and situations.  Writing allows me to formulate clear, concise thoughts about what I’m pondering.  It helps me clarify what I’m thinking and feeling, and allows me to see what God’s trying to teach me.  After I type it all up, I find myself feeling lighter and a little more clear headed.

Writing, although tough sometimes, makes me feel more alive. 

I’ve found that writing is a very emotional process for me because I’m sharing an intimate part of myself.  There are some things that I write about that leave me feeling very exposed and vulnerable.  Yet, I feel more alive when I do.  It helps me connect to those common human elements that we all share.  And it makes me feel brave and courageous!

Being honest and vulnerable is scary, but worth it.

When I write and then publish something that exposes a part of my heart, I feel the anxiety rising in my body.  I have an intense desire to take back what I’ve already put out for others to read. What will they think?  Will they really understand what I’m trying to say?  What will they think of me?  What if they hate it or think I’m weird?  I have to remind myself that it’s worth the risk, no matter what the reaction.  The amazing thing is, some people connect with my writing.  And it’s that connection that brings satisfaction; knowing that I’m not alone or that I’ve struck a nerve.  That makes it worth the risk.

So I’m learning to let go of worrying about other’s reactions and just write.  I’m learning how to share honestly and thoughtfully which means I’m learning more about myself.  (Sometimes that’s a difficult thing.)  And I’m learning that God really did create me to communicate through writing and speaking.  So I better stick with it…