My Relationship with Writing

        I have a love/hate relationship with writing. When I’m writing for myself, I love it! For example, when I’m journaling or just putting my thoughts down on paper the words seem to flow. However, when I’m writing an email, essay, or some other professional piece of writing, my mind often goes blank. For me, writing must be personal for me to enjoy it. Otherwise, I sit in front of a screen for hours critiquing the words I have typed. 

The most beautiful piece of writing that I ever put together was a poem I wrote my freshman year of high school. It was about pride. I loved writing that poem because I felt like I was saying something that needed to be said. It wasn’t pointless, my poem had a message. It preached the upsides and dangers of being prideful. 

I don’t find myself proud of my writing when I’m writing for an academic purpose. I’ve been told that I write in the same tone and manner that I do when I’m talking. Non personal writing gives me anxiety, because I’m constantly worrying about my grammar, punctuation, and tone. I don’t want to sound like an 18 year old, I want to sound like an educated adult. The end product is usually a document that is repetitive and dull. I try to insert some humor into my writing, but usually end up deciding against it because I determine that the timing is wrong, or that it sounds childish. I need to find a balance between sophistication while still retaining my personality when it comes to my writing.  

Even though at times I dread writing, I know that it will be a very big part of my future. There will be papers and resumes that will need to be written. I can complain about that fact all I want, but it doesn’t change the fact that it will need to be done. Hopefully, through this class I will be able to build upon my writing skills and gain confidence when it comes to my unique voice and the words I put on paper.

Here is my poem if anyone is interested:

Pride

Here, in this small town

We have Eagle Pride

Bleeding blue and white

Just the right amount of honor and humility

It’s what we breathe, it’s what we know

Very simply, we live it

Day in and day out

The heart knows pride

It beats to the rhythm of triumph

However, pride can turn its evil head in one second

Pride, it’s the balance beam of good and bad

A balance of dignity and meekness

Being too proud

Can cost the player the game and result in an endless supply of losses

Which, in turn gives harmony its importance

In the grand scheme of things

Humanity needs to acquire

The skill of harmonizing self-admiration and timidity

Accessing this skill is not easily gained

But with practice one can attain it.