What started as a simple desire to de-clutter lead to an epiphany. Seriously.
I was cleaning out my home office today because I’m giving it a facelift. I want a better place to write and a better place to be inspired. I want new paint, some new artwork, a new comfy chair and less “stuff”. I started on the filing cabinets and accordion files and was amazed at how much paperwork I’ve actually saved over the years. In my quest for order, I have been forced to acknowledge that there is no need for me to keep my children’s report cards from ten years ago. I glanced through a few before they were introduced to the shredder which got me thinking about my own report cards. I know I got good grades in reading, writing, and history, but I didn’t in math and science. It has been a lifelong learning pattern. But that isn’t my epiphany.
I’ve been an avid reader my whole life. People regularly come to me for book recommendations. I have a huge library. I’ve always answered “read” in the things I love to do section of the Who is Hilary Wynne questionnaire. It’s a huge part of who I am. Anybody that knows me knows that. It’s not the same for writing.
I’ve always loved to write
When I tell people I have written a book they usually ask if I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I usually shrug my shoulders and say no. The truth is, I’ve never really thought of myself as a writer even though, over the years, I’ve filled many journals with my random thoughts and ideas. I have written a lot of really sappy poetry, earned money as a TV commercial copywriter and written captions and copy for my high school yearbook. When I was seven, I even wrote short stories for my sleep away camp’s memory book. I also chose majors in college and grad school that required a lot of writing. Sitting here now, I can’t believe I missed it. I’ve always loved to write. I’ve been a writer all along. That is my epiphany.
The difference between what I have always done and what I am trying to do now is that before, I mainly wrote for myself or for a small, select group of people. I never had the courage to share it with a larger audience. I really struggle with that now. It’s not easy to put yourself out there for the world to see. But, I feel like I have to. Just as I need to read, I need to write.
So today, when I am filling out the Who is Hilary Wynne questionnaire, I answer read and write in the things I love to do section. I am a reader and a writer. And I still hate to do arithmetic.
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