Usually, writing is reserved for my pet professional topic of enabling disabled people and their families to build meaningful lives in their communities — aimed at a particular audience who I like to inform and support. Recently the urge to respond to the declining quality of journalism, the corrupt actions of governments and the undeniable climate change facts challenged me to raise my voice and to claim legitimacy of it.
In response I’ve committed to a practice of writing something everyday, even if I don’t feel like it. Because everyone in the know says when it comes to writing, that you must be writing every day as the number one thing to do on the To-Do list of being a Writer.
Every. Damned. Day.
As a woman approaching a ‘certain age’ I’ve pondered upon the phenomenon spoken by matriarchs all over — invisibility. I’ve been a background blender all my life, someone who works through people having perfected the art of “moving to the background”, as most introverts can relate to. But I’m done now with the adapting, contorting and letting all those other voices go ahead of mine, allowing my voice to be drowned out or spoken over.
Don’t get me wrong, it serves a purpose — in the social work world you need empathy and must have skills to support others to find their voice. I’m proud of that work and content with how I am when supporting vulnerable and traumatized people. I’m even considering my third age career to be a death doula. I love being that support person so much.
However, I am feeling the urge to bring my own voice forward on themes that bring my blood to the boil. I’ve journaled for years but always saw that as a way to be in touch with my feelings and get to the bottom of what has triggered complex emotions. Now I want some of me to be heard, to express my thoughts out loud and have others hear them. Of course I’d like my writing to be validated by others, but I think the practice of writing is far more powerful.
The saxophone was my voice for a long time but rarely did I practice regularly, which I am now living to regret. Especially now that I understand what the full meaning of practice means.
Seth Godin’s excellent book “The Practice” explains that creativity now matters more than ever, and each of us is being called on to be a Creative. Talent is a myth. None of us need anything special for our chosen creative outlet, we just need to keep doing it.
So here I am punching out my commitment for today and hoping that my words begin to reflect my voice.
*Practice complete*
