For as long as I can remember, I have always loved writing. In elementary school, my teachers would have us write short stories about anything we wanted that would later get "published" and given to our parents. I always took this time to let my imagination run wild and effortlessly, my hand would glide across the page. I could crank out at least 3 short stories in one class period; it was as if writing was second nature to me.
Although, it seems as though thoroughly enjoying writing is a very unpopular opinion amongst many people.
As we grow older, the creativeness in us starts to fade as we are forced to write as part of assignments and other tedious tasks we have no interest in doing. Naturally, people begin to see writing as a chore rather than as a therapy. Of course, there is the fear of encountering writer's block as well. Additionally, there is also the belief that one's writing isn't "good enough". Yet, these notions couldn't be any farther from the truth.
Writing is proof existence, or rather, the human condition. Humans have been writing in various forms since the dawn of time and this has allowed us to develop a sense of identity over time. There are written accounts of every idea imaginable. Similarly to art, the beauty of writing comes from within its the creator. No matter what kind of style it is, writing gives something to the world that it didn't already have before; a footprint of sorts. It doesn't necessarily have to be "creative" or "well written" to have value.
At the same time, it is important to understand that even experienced writers feel these kinds of emotions from time to time. After putting my Odyssey writing on pause for some time, I was apprehensive about jumping back into it. The same fears that almost everyone seems to encounter ate me alive as I pondered for a couple weeks whether or not I truly wanted to begin again. After spontaneously deciding to write one day, I quickly found out that I had nothing to write about.
At first, I had absolutely nothing to say, so I just went along with writing the first thing that came to mind. Short, sloppy and confusing sentences were the only words I was able to produce in my attempt, but I settled for being content with it nonetheless. I reminded myself of the thought that at least it was something, and all I did was go with the flow. It didn't have to make sense or be up to par with some intangible standard, it was unique through its own existence.
Personally, I think this mindset can be applied to any genre of writing. As long as the creator puts in the effort to make it something, the pen does the rest and the piece becomes unique in its own. While the idea of allowing the mind to wander can come off sounding absurd, it doesn't hurt to try. An object in motion stays in motion, and sometimes the best propeller is spontaneity.
After all, writing is the best form of expression. Through this medium, we can communicate about ourselves and our experiences in an intimate way. Perhaps our greatest fear as humans is not the activity itself, but sharing that part of ourselves with a bigger audience. Objectively, that's what makes it so cool.