Things I’ve Learned…

8 things I’ve learned from blogging every day for two months.

1. 1. 1. Writing (and pressing “publish”) is a generous gift to the world, but...
      2. It’s also a gift to me. Writing gives me permission to spend time giving shape (words) to an inner voice that is often unheard and ignored. Writing says to me, “What you have to say is valuable enough to listen to, and to work at articulating it.” That is no small gift to oneself.
      3. Writing is work.
      4. Writing every day is harder work.
      5. Writing something every day that is meaningful and articulate is even harder still. But it’s work that gets easier at about week three and again at week six. At week three, it became a habit; at week six, the habit pays dividends in the form of confidence. Confidence in my voice. Confidence in who my intended audience is.
      6. However, confidence and self-doubt can coexist. Actually, most of the time they do. “This is good material” and “Does it matter to anyone?” take up equal real estate in my head.
      7. Writing as reflection rings more true than writing as conjecture. If I’ve really done for myself what I’m suggesting for others, it comes through in my writing.
      8. I have a tendency to write for my former professors, for a grade, rather than for me and for you. Getting A’s, being approved by an expert, and having clear measurements of “success” (grades), are woven deep into my psyche. I’m a better writer when I write for me and for you.