Writing stories and then putting them out into the world for people to see has always been excruciating for me. It doesn’t take much to discourage me from sharing, and I do an excellent job of convincing myself to keep my writing hidden away. Anxiety (hello old friend), panic, and fear of judgement, misunderstandings, fear of the unknown, being intensely private– I could go on for a while about all the reasons I don’t share much. Blogging isn’t really any easier for me. If it involves affixing my thoughts to a medium, chances are it’s going to stress me out.

There is something about autumn though, it makes me a little more courageous. I think it’s something about the air turning a little chillier, the summer warmth no longer making me comfortable to just exist. I write more, and I enjoy being inside with a latte and a blanket. There is a literary feel to fall. As a lover of thrillers and spooky stories it’s my favorite time to read. So now as summer has slipped away and we now stand firmly in the autumn season, I am feeling that familiar call to write (and read of course!) and gaining the courage to share.

Is it hard for you to share? I know people of all types, for some it’s easy, and for others it’s excruciating. I admire those that find it easy, because that ease is foreign to me. But something amazing that I’ve learned these last few years is this: when someone puts themselves out into the world and shares something vulnerable, there is no telling the positive effect it could have on another person. You may never meet that person, they could live on the other side of the world from you, or even live in a time years in the future. Words that I’ve found fortifying, that have guided me through difficult times, and have made me feel less alone, have all come from people who at some point, made the choice to share. If these people had chosen to hide their experiences, decided not to create and not to share, then I wouldn’t have these sources of inspiration to guide me now. And boy am I grateful.

So I guess this is all just a very long-winded way for me to say that I’m trying to do better at sharing. I want to contribute something positive to the world, and I want for those who feel they are alone and struggling to know that they are valued, and that there are people who care very much about them. There is a lot of negativity out there, and the angriest and cruelest always seems to rise to the top of everyone’s attention. But I refuse to believe that this represents the majority of human beings. Instead, I choose to believe that most of us want to help others, want to live in a more loving world, and want to leave things better for future generations.

Moving forward, I hope to do a little bit of that here. I like to write things that celebrate everyone, every difference, and treat every person as valuable and important. I hope that wherever you are today that you have a peaceful and happy day, full of joy and that you get a chance to create something special that inspires you and that you feel happy to share. Thank you so much for reading and for visiting, you being here is so special to me. I appreciate you, talk soon!

Love,

Winter