Why I Write: From a Yellow Notebook to Published Books

Why I Write: My Journey from Childhood Journals to Published Author

I have always enjoyed writing. It came naturally to me. I started journaling when I was quite young. The very first memory I have about journaling is grade six. I got a yellow notebook with a smiley face as a gift. I remember the moment I made a conscious decision to use it to journal.

Ever since then, I have journaled. Writing my thoughts became part of my routine, part of my life. I can't imagine not letting my thoughts out of my head. I can't imagine not putting my thoughts in writing.

A few years ago, as I was pondering the question of what I should do to live my purpose, my mind kept going back to the dream of mine. The dream to write and publish a book. But, how dare I? Who was I to write and publish a book? Isn't publishing books a special privilege for people who are mega genius or mega successful?

Empowering is the word I would choose to describe the journey of my first book, Perfectly Incomplete. Taming the self doubt enough to be able to start writing, to continue the writing when the self doubt was pressing me down into the dark hole of powerlessness, to finally publish it to get my stories out in the world, and to hear people's feedback… It was one of the most exciting journeys I've ever taken. It helped me rewrite many of my limiting beliefs and stories.

If the first book was a journey of empowerment, the second book, The Stories We Tell, was a journey of sharing stories. Because humans connect with each other through stories. Stories help us make sense of the world around us, construct our identity, relate to each other, and create social bonds. Storytelling is fundamentally human.

So, writing is what empowers me, inspires me, helps me connect with others, and helps me live my purpose. That is why I write.