I Don’t Even Know How I Fell in Love With Writing
First of all, I should that state for the record, that I’m not a hopeless romantic. I prefer action/adventure/suspense/comedy, almost any (but not horror) other genre than romance or rom-coms.
If you have only recently started following, it was I who so-called “proposed” to my husband about getting married. I bought my own engagement ring and wedding band online. I didn’t even cry at my own wedding.
Is that bad?
I’m just not into the romance and lovey-dovey stuff.
I’m well aware that a lot of the times my introverted/social anxiety tendencies come off as standoffish and not very emotional. I may even seem like a cold-hearted snake (remember, Paula Abdul?) at first.
But I like to think I make up for that in my writing.
The “I’m a writer” or “I’ve always been a writer” statement may seem redundant in the circle of blogging, but it’s something that I have only recently really come to terms with. I don’t even remember how I got into writing. All I remember is that as a child, I did enjoy writing the poems and short stories for school as much as I loved writing additional stories on my own. I was not a fan of Shakespeare or writing essays on books I read so I actually hated English class. But I still did well in that subject. Well enough that in my final year of high school, my English teacher suggested I major in English and was quite surprised (perhaps even a bit disappointed) that I said I was going to major in engineering instead.
I had the old-school train of thought that I needed to study a field where I would supposedly make money and get a good job. I couldn’t make a living with an English degree. My mom always told me I could write. Even my husband is amazed by my ability to write. Although it could just be due to the fact that he really hates writing.
Fast forward many years later, I stumble upon blogging and am able to fall in love with writing again. While the original purpose of blogging was for money, it turned out that the real purpose of blogging was for love. The love of writing that is. The idea of being able to express myself online, when I struggle to find the words to say offline. Not only have I fallen in love with writing all over again, I have recently begun to fall in love all over again with the visual arts and photography. I would say that I am somewhat artsy but definitely not crafty. I can sew a button, but please don’t ask me to hem your pants.
I am also a lefty. There is also that generalization that most lefties tend to have a natural artistic side.
As a child, I would always be doodling and drawing. I loved lettering that was hand-drawn and purchased books that contained different styles of lettering for the alphabet. I distinctly remember trying to copy the different styles. I took a couple of art courses and a photography course in high school and did relatively well in them There were a lot of students that were much more naturally talented than I was. I knew I wasn’t bound for a program in visual arts or graphic design, but I would always have that appreciation for art and the various forms of it.
After years of having subpar quality stock photos on my blog, I’m now more conscious of the types of photos I have on my blog. There are even a few of my own photos in there. Since my Instagram account is more for the blog, I am now trying with the majority of my posts to upload photos that are colourful, inspirational and visually appealing.
There is the odd time when I wonder what my life would have been like, what my path would have been like if I had studied English or pursued that writing career instead.
I’ll never know.
All I know is that it feels really nice getting back in touch with my artistic side. Like reconnecting with an old friend with whom I have lost touch with for so long. Or falling off that bike and getting right back on it.
I kept telling myself and other people that I used to be artistic. I suppose I always was, but it’s just been kept under wraps for quite some time. Just like my entrepreneurial spirit, my artistic spirit is rising from the ashes.
Have you revisited an old, forgotten passion lately?
I think that like you, writing is my old forgotten passion! I’ve always loved to write as well, no matter what it was about. (For example, I used to actually enjoy writing research papers in college… hah.) One of the reasons I love my job now is that even though it’s very science-oriented, there’s still a lot of writing involved. However, obviously it isn’t quite enough writing, because I still need a blog to get my fix from time to time. 😉
I was the opposite. I graduated with a science degree and I actually hated writing out the lab reports. I think blog writing is the scariest, but at the same time, the best kind of writing.
Great post Karen!
I feel I’m in the same boat as you. I started a company back around 2009, use to blog, and also loved photography. But blogging was my first love! I share that same interest in writing as you do. I’ve always loved the way certain words sound together. When my first company failed, I started working in finance and forgot about all these things I love. In hindsight I can’t believe I ever gave up blogging. But now I’m back at it. I’m really pursuing entrepreneurship in my own way. I’m writing everyday. And my blog means everything to me right now! It feels like it’s the right thing to do and I’m happier because of it. Thanks for sharing. I definitely found this to be inspiring.
That’s pretty awesome that you started your own company, not too long after the recession. I’m so glad you found it inspiring and I’m not even a full-fledged entrepreneur yet. I find you to be quite inspiring for leaving the 9 to 5, having taken up entrepreneurship again, but in your own way. As always, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Music is my on-off thing. I’m probably due to pick it back up; my house has a spare room where instruments and other random things live! Must get some new guitar strings.
Writing is so much fun isn’t it? I think more people would write, but they fear their words aren’t good enough for public consumption. I just don’t care. If people can understand 80% of what I write, that’s good enough for me.
Sam
It is. Although some people, including my husband really hate it. Even if people tried writing their own private thoughts in a journal, I think they may end up liking it more.