Monday Musings

I’m a bit late getting this uploaded today – the day has seemed to just run away. I went down a rabbit hole on Instagram the other day and ran across a ton of people who resell clothes for a living. One of the ladies was giving her hints as to how to use time more effectively and one of them was using templates to list items because she finds that looking at a blank screen sometimes causes her writer’s block. While I have definitely been there before, staring at a blank screen, it was almost always when I needed to write a 15 page lab report at 1 am that was due at 9 am (I am a recovering procrastinator but you wouldn’t believe that by looking at the fact that this was supposed to go live at 4 pm and is being written at almost 10 pm. I am working on it I promise). Creative writing typically just flows from me and one of my family members pointed something out in my dad a few months ago that I think explains it.

I was having dinner with my aunt (one of them – I have a lot of family) and she mentioned handing an article my dad had written to a family friend who read the whole thing before asking “Did Jon write this?” My aunt went on to say how much she loved that reading my dad’s writing was like having a conversation with him and that, if you knew him, you could even hear his voice. When she said that something clicked in my brain. In high school, I had friends tell me that they knew my writing without ever having to look at the byline – it just sounded like me. For ages, I have had people tell me they love my stories and my best friend told me recently, “I love reading your blog posts, especially since we no longer live together. It is like listening to a conversation with you.” And while I think yes, some people may just naturally be good writers, it is a learned and cultivated skill regardless of natural ability.

As a 4th grader, I can remember coming home with a project – I had to write a story – and I remember asking my dad where to start. His response had a bigger effect that I think either of us anticipated. He said, “Just write like you were telling the paper a story.” And I did. And I still do.

Writer’s block isn’t typically a big deal for me. I stare at a screen and if I blank, I ask what story do I want to tell today. And often, the end surprises even me. For instance, I was planning on telling you that I have recently discovered that you can make money reselling used clothes and antiques online AND MAKE A LIVING DOING IT. I legit thought that was just something people did to pay off their debt extra fast or make some extra money in retirement. But there are actual, SANE human beings that are doing this full time for a living. How cool is that?! Anyways, that was what I was planning on telling you but the keyboard had a different story. The keyboard wanted me to tell you, it is your friend – it and the blank screen on the other side of the glass in front of you. They want to help you tell your story, you just need to tell them first. So I challenge you, grab a computer, paper and pen, or even just your phone, and just write what you think, what you feel, a part of your day, just like you would tell your best friend. I think you might be surprised how much fun it is. After you write for a bit, snap a picture, post it to social media (put a sticker over the writing if you are self-conscious), and tag me in it. I would love to see you getting creative!

I am super excited to be sharing our garden on Thursday so I will chat with y’all then!

P.S. Oh, and if you were curious as to my 4th grade writing assignment, we found it when my parents moved a few years ago. The assignment was to write about your summer. We had gone to a family reunion in Missouri and little old me was apparently very impressed that the cabin we stayed in had 9 bathrooms and three floors – it was mentioned at least 6 times that there were more bathrooms than bedrooms.