My Writing Practice
I have done A LOT of writing over the course of my life. And the way I’ve done it has varied depending on which phase of life I’m in or what I need at that time.
Writing is a grounding practice for me, and I’ve been learning how to use it to get more in touch with myself.
What My Writing Has Looked Like
I’ve written several things that have been published, including essays, articles for magazines and websites, and short stories. I’ve done a lot of ghost writing for folks who have an idea for a story but they’re not sure how to get it out on paper. I’ve written copy for web pages and I’ve had 4 different blogs that I’ve kept up over the years, although now my focus is The Opal Door.
I like blogging a lot. It’s a way of letting people into my world while being able to control how much of me is seen. I can maintain my privacy a lot better.
And I don’t need to worry as much about a social media algorithm with blogging. I can speak more authentically, and although I’ve been less performative on social media lately, that performance aspect is something I try to avoid in general.
I have written a couple books, and I’m writing my own memoir. I’m three chapters away from finishing, and I’ll take a look at it every few months to add to it.
I’ve kept a journal for my whole life, although I used it more to catch up with what’s going on with me, rather than an essential daily practice.
Interviewing Myself
Lately, my journaling practice involves having conversations with myself and getting curious about who I am. I want to share a couple of excerpts from my journal.
Excerpt #1
Good morning Nik, how are you?
I’m hesitant to select an answer…
Yeah, it can be really hard to figure myself out. My thoughts whirl too fast to capture.
Okay, but Nik, you’re still having complete thoughts and you know that the longer you spend writing your thoughts down, the slower you think. Because your hand has to keep up.
Right, it sucks to be limited to what I can capture on the page.
Excerpt #2
Good morning Nik, how are you?
I’m feeling a little hostile today.
What does that look like?
I’m armouring, and holding my body tense. I have more than a few reasons to feel anxious.
Yeah, you do. You need help. The system is failing you, and you really need help.
Excerpt #3
Good morning Nik, how are you?
I’m changing again.
Yeah, I see it too.
How can I express myself when I move so quickly from thought to thought? And from start to state?
Why isn’t anyone else doing it?
My life is interesting, and I’m making it more interesting as I go. It’s hard to admit when you’re wrong, and that’s because people believe that if they are wrong, they’re bad. I’m not bad.
Cultivating Kindness
I’m finding a gentleness and kindness for myself in my writing that I’ve never had before. And this gentleness and kindness and love for myself is really affecting me in a positive way.
I’ve begun thinking about how to take care of myself. How to do things that will help me thrive.
I’m super grateful for this writing practice. My coach has been integral to keeping my journaling beneficial by getting me to ask those questions to myself.
How are you?
What’s going on with that?
What does that look like?
What do you need?
And actually paying attention to myself. Deciding what is important and what isn’t.
It varies, but now I have this ability to stop and think, because my thoughts aren’t racing as fast.
There’s More Than One Way
I write in my journal by hand, and most of my creative writing is done on a computer. I do all of my caption writing on my phone.
I like to do my outlines on paper and then when it’s time to write the story, I’ll set my laptop up in a cozy place and get to work.
I have multiple notebooks around my house, too. I’ll just pick them up, turn to a random blank page, and start writing. There’s a notebook in my studio that has a story outline from 10 years ago, along with another that’s only a year old.
You don’t have to write only one way. Do what works for you and what makes you happy.
