In many ways, writing is like life. One could say that if you master writing, you can master life. And if you really think about it, each and every one of us are writers - even if you have never written an article or book before. The thoughts that wander around in your head are words just waiting to be expressed on paper. Some of us just choose to keep all those words or stories bottled up inside our heads instead of putting pen to paper and allowing that creative energy to flow.
These are lessons that many experienced writers have learned that can be applied to many aspects of our lives:
1. The best stuff happens when you’re in the moment. In the process of writing, there are a plethora of thoughts going on inside a writer’s head...
Is this good enough?
What should I say next?
Will I make money from this writing?
My editor rejected my last submission!
However, if you can just let go of all that chitter chatter and just truly enjoy the moment, somehow the words will start to flow very easily. Words turn to sentences. Sentences turn into paragraphs. Next thing you know you’ve written 2,000 words.
In life, when you’re not kicking yourself about mistakes of the past, worried about the future, or cursing that person who treated you badly, you can be happy in the here and now.
2. Patience is really a virtue. Writing is an easy flow of thoughts and ideas - at least it should be. It’s not something that can be forced because if you try too hard, then you end up with writer’s block. This can be a challenge if you’re facing a “deadline”, but that’s when you should take a walk to get the ideas to flow. Your mind will accomplish more in 5-10 minutes of exercise than sitting there staring at a blank page on the computer.
Life should be an easy flow too, but in our “I want it now” society the idea of patience is a rarity. Sometimes we work, struggle, and try too hard to get what we want. Then we end up burnt out and unhealthy. While it’s great to manifest quickly, what would happen if we did get everything we wanted right away? Chances are, many of us would get bored and not appreciate these manifestations as much.
3. Sometimes the worst is the best. Sometimes a writer will write something that he/she thinks is absolutely awful - something that absolutely nobody will like. It’s published anyway and people who read it think it’s mind-blowing stuff. Who would’ve thought something so bad could be so good? Well, it does happen.
In life you experience tragedy or bad days, but oftentimes that perceived negativity is actually the best thing that could happen to you. There is always something to take away from a bad experience.
If you’re a writer like me, what lessons have you learned that can be applied to life in general?
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