by Rose R. Sales
I have always been an advocate of 'Writing should not be a burden,' a belief that kept me grounded through the ups and downs of my journey. I remember when I first started publishing my literary works on Facebook and other social media platforms — it was both exciting and uplifting. I felt free to convey my thoughts and sentiments, unconcerned if anyone read them. Then, I received a single like and comment on my poem, a gratifying moment I still recall. It wasn't about capturing someone's interest to validate my ideas; it was knowing that my words had moved someone enough to persuade them to share their thoughts too.
I had long buried my emotions, carving a wide grave for them in my youth, and it was a bleak, desolate place. But writing gave me a new purpose: it became an avenue for self-expression and a way for readers to connect, reassuring them they weren’t alone in living the stories they feared to tell. I know this all too well because before I became a writer, I was a reader. Reading opened my eyes and took me to places I’d never imagined, which led me to wonder—what if I could write words that might help others too? That thought brought me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Fast forward, I earned a couple of thousand followers on my page. I won't deny that the drastic increase in attention for my literary pieces put me in a state as if I were being crushed by relentless waves. It terrified me. I couldn't help but harbor pessimistic thoughts. "What if I'm being too opinionated?" "What if I'm being too dramatic?" "What if they don't agree with me?" What if I'm boring and not creative?" "What if every piece I wrote was dripping with grammatical errors?" "What if I'm not good enough?" I was caught in a downward spiral; writing became a burden.
What kept me writing was the truth that I never wanted to return to the tunnels of silence and suppressed emotions. Yes, writing can sometimes feel like a burden, but that's the price for having a medium to express the soul behind the eyes, whether shared publicly or kept private. I also thought about the genuine readers—those who root for me, who’ve glimpsed a part of my soul through my words. It would be unfair to shut that door simply because I struggled with the attention. After all, when handled well, it’s not a burden but a gift.
When you write alone, it feels cathartic. Yet you may still feel unheard as your words remain in your notes, left unread by others. When you share your work with the world, too many eyes are watching, and the possibility of being a people-pleaser confronts you, transforming writing into an intimidating activity. These obstacles may not always be avoidable, but you can strive to conquer them. Remind yourself why you started writing. Define your reasons, and you will find clarity.
Writing is a friend; it helps you express and listen, so be a friend as well and don't force it. Writing and reading are a couple, and things start to make sense when both of them work together. When your mind is blank, read; when it's jam-packed, write. Wait and be patient with yourself. Build a bond between your art and your heart; truly, I tell you, you'll find light in the dark.
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