The Fog

It has been a while since I sat down and focused on writing. I kept meaning to make time for it, but everything else in life took priority, even my feelings of weariness, both physical and emotional. But now I am ready to focus once again on the words I feel led to share, so I joined a writing training program/community.

One of the first things I learned in orientation was that I needed to organize my writing in one place. I procrastinated this first step for a week but finally decided to gather some of my writing from my Facebook posts into a folder on my Notes app. It took me over an hour to filter through all my Facebook posts since 2018, and then something dawned on me when I got to my 2021 and 2022 posts. I barely posted any of my writing after I went through cancer treatment at the end of 2020, almost as if having radiation radiated all the writing spark out of me.

At first, I thought I was in a lull period due to being in college and having to study and write lots of papers. While that was one reason, especially with the fast pace I was going through my classes, I see now that it isn't the core reason since I’ve been out of school since May. Something besides school has been holding me back - a fog that made the joy of writing darken within me. I have not wanted to write as often or finish anything I’ve started. It's as if the words were taken from me almost as soon as I had the thought to write them down.

While this is probably a form of writer’s block, I’m determined to step out of it! I’m ready to be disciplined so that I can find the joy of writing once again. I have lots of unfinished notes, some pinned to the top that I keep ignoring, that are waiting for the fog to dissipate and the spark to be ignited. I can’t say that I feel the spark yet, but if I’m not willing to make time to write, then it will never shine.

Maybe you have felt this about something that used to give you joy too. It could be a gift, strength, or calling on your life. Maybe it’s time for you to filter through some past things and organize them to see where that something lost its spark. You might even find a pattern if it has happened more than one time in your life. When you realize what those points on your timeline are, only then can you start taking steps out of the fog. And one of the first steps might be to DO something, even when you don’t FEEL like it.

For me, it means I have to make time for writing daily, even if only for 15 minutes. I have to continue participating in the training community I’m in, even though it costs me something. I have to set realistic goals and hold myself accountable, even when circumstances try to detour me from them (you can hold me accountable, too!). I will start simple with some of the things I’ve already written and rework them here in the coming weeks because it feels less daunting that starting with my unfinished work.

In doing these things, I know the fog will start to lift, bringing forth new words that draw others into my life. Words shared that aren’t merely words on a digital device, but are thoughts, stories, and feelings put into some order in their raw, honest, and vulnerable forms. Words that might not always sparkle but will shine brightly of Jesus and the journey I’m on with Him by my side. Words that will uplift and encourage, helping you know that you are not alone.

What step do you need to take today to get out of the fog and find your spark again?

“The best place to start is with one small step. It’s the only way to bigger things with God (You’re Already Amazing, Inspirational Dayspring DayBrightener, October 20).

xo