I have been working on practicing writing in recent weeks. About a year ago, I took the leap of starting this blog, then I didn't really write much. I felt a deep need to write, but I hadn't yet figured out that it needed to be a practice. I'm not great with routines. The only true ritual I have is my morning coffee.
My aunt, Page, has been really supportive with this endeavor. She is on her own writing journey and has really encouraged me in mine. Every time I open this page, I hear her voice in my head, saying, "make writing a practice". So, that's my goal for April. I want to write and post on the blog once a week. I gave myself a head start and have three posts drafted already, so it kind of feels like I'm cheating. But that's part of the practice.
After my morning coffee I write junk. True, pure, thoughtless junk that goes via ink onto a slightly translucent recycled lined page in a bendy spiral notebook. 10 minutes to clear my head. I've only been doing this regularly for a few days. Not even a week, yet. But, I'm already feeling better. I have more focus and can really take time to think about a story or research an idea. I also seem to feel more motivated to go to the gym and keep working hard on my rehab. I have written on this before and I truly believe that my mind works better when my body can move beneath it, so this is an important part of the process for me.
I have time to listen to podcasts while I spin on the stationary bike for an hour, and I feel like this has helped me focus more too. I'm consuming less junk news and mindless TV. Life feels more productive and satisfying. So, I guess this all means I'm building a new practice. I'm trying to evolve my mindset and my focus to include real goals, not just grand and intangible thought bubbles.
I'm practicing. I'm practicing writing. I'm practicing being open, and I'm practicing believing. And it feels really good right now. Which is nice, but I want more. I enjoy writing. I also believe that I can contribute to positive, meaningful change in the outdoor industry and beyond with my writing. So, I've come to terms with the fact that I want my writing to be my work. Or, at least part of my work. Time to shout it out from the mountain tops!