You hear it all the time. “Writing. It’s so important. No matter what your job is going to be, you must know how to write.”
As often as this is instilled in our minds, we tend to forget one of the most basic reasons why writing is so significant. Some may think I am saying this simply because of who I am: a writer, a student, a journalism major. However, after struggling immensely with my own thoughts and mind this past summer, I realized the simple truth behind writing. It was an escape, my escape.
Despite the sunny days and warm weather, summer 2015 was a difficult one for me. There was a storm raging inside of my mind. Every day, I felt like I was drowning in the middle of the ocean, just barely keeping my head above the water, struggling to catch my breath. After finally having the courage to talk about my anxiety, a friend of mine suggested I keep a journal. He showed me the small, leather bound book his friends bought him during his own time of trouble. Then, he made me write a list. It was a list of truths about myself.
A couple of days later, I invested in a journal. I searched various stores until I found my own perfect, little book. As my thoughts began to flood my mind, words flowed onto the pages in front of me. In that moment, I felt a weight slowly lift off my shoulders. The raging storm in my brain began to die down. I could finally breathe again. After weeks of uneasiness, a peace fell upon me. Thoughts no longer fought for dominance inside my skull. They lay quietly before me, saying nothing, doing nothing. I finally had the power to silence them as I capped the pen in my hand and shut my journal.
The summer went on, and my days got better. Although, I must admit that I would forget to write. Life caught up with me. My job took over. School began, and I simply did not take the time to clear my mind.
So when my best friend and I began discussing our goals for the New Year, we both decided that we needed to write more. Now, a little over a month into 2016, I have realized that is the best decision I have made thus far. From topics as simple as what I am currently doing to exciting ideas such as bucket lists, I have it all in my journal. When the days are rough, and words fail to enter my brain, I look back on my favorite quotes and lyrics that consume my pages to gather courage and inspiration. Even when my mind is content, I write.
I have learned that it only takes a couple minutes of writing to alleviate the pressure inside of my head. Whatever may come to your mind, put it on paper. In the future, you may look back upon it to draw wisdom, or even just to laugh. But right now, in this very moment, you, too, have the power to escape. You do not need to buy a plane ticket or even pack a bag. Simply write.
“A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure is why he does it.” -Roald Dahl
