My Favourite Way to Stay Connected Online
“Write here…”
That’s what it says on this platform, with a wretched blinking cursor on an empty page. That thing that so many of us are afraid of - a blank slate.What should I even do? Will people like it? Will I like it? Who do I think I am, doing this? All these questions plague us before we even let our fingers hit the keys. And so, we don’t.
Instead we pick up the remote control, yet again, and scroll fruitlessly through Netflix. We then hop to Amazon Prime, hoping to land on something promising, only to find nothing. And, finally, we settle for YouTube, where we know we won’t have to commit to anything for longer than 15 minutes. Until that’s over…and, we’re still bored. So we continue scrolling…and scrolling…and scrolling. And, I say all this not to pass any judgement on anyone else. Because, honestly, this was me…two hours ago.
I’ve been meaning to write, for fun, for a while now. But, I’ve been overthinking it and struggling with what to make of this space. So, naturally, I’ve been avoiding writing. Should I keep it “educational”, and position myself as an expert? Or, should I keep it more personal, and talk about what’s on my heart and mind? The more I go back and forth about it, the more confused, and insecure I become. It’s the curse of the blinking cursor - the pressure to fill the emptiness with something meaningful - something Earth-shattering. When really, your brain is a post-Netflix binged mush that is trying to remember how you somehow ended up on Instagram when you needed to check your Weather app.
What I’m finally realizing, though, is that as a writer, I have to write. It’s the only way I know how to best express I’m really feeling. And, the best way I know to articulate those feelings to you. I’m also realizing that whether someone cares to read this or not, doesn’t matter - I just have to write something.
So, I’ll write to you! As though we’re catching up over coffee. And, perhaps, at times I’ll come across as an expert. Other times I’ll sound more like a whiny teenager venting her frustrations. Whatever it is, I’ll try not to overthink it or back-peddle. I’ll try and be honest, humble, and open. I’ll share my thoughts in a way that would make you say “me too!”. Because, anything less wouldn’t be worth reading, right?
Cheers,
Octavia
