I’ve been finding it hard to prioritise my writing lately because, if I’m going to be completely honest, part of me doesn’t believe it’s important enough.
This is ironic, because in the Creative Writing classes that I teach, I constantly encourage others to be kind to themselves and to give themselves the gift of quality time to write.
The Quiet Lie I’ve Been Believing
It makes me wonder if, somewhere deep down, I believe other people’s writing is more important than my own.
I see this pattern in other areas of my life too. I’ve always been something of a matchmaker, taking great joy in introducing people to each other and watching the spark of love ignite between them. And yet I am still single, living vicariously through others.
It’s as though I’m standing in the ‘blessings queue’ in heaven, and every time someone joins the back, I quietly step aside and let them go ahead of me.
But when I’ve taken the courage to share my writing, people have always responded warmly. They tell me they want to know what happens next. Perhaps that’s a sign that I need to keep going.
A lot of people tell me, ‘don’t write for others, write for yourself.’ This is easier said than done, because at its core it’s saying that not only is my writing worth it, but I am worth it too. That the stories that well up inside of me are not just good enough, but that I am good enough to create something I would enjoy reading if someone else had written it.
Choosing to Believe Something Different
The truth is, I am worth it. My dreams, visions, and ideas are of value. My desire to read certain books, and to write those books, is important, because only I can write them. I have a unique contribution to make to the literary world, just like any other writer. And chances are, if I write what I love, really love, and make it a priority in my life, then others will love it too.
What’s holding you back? What will it take to give yourself quality time with words?
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Olivia McCabe 