Right now, I am feeling a bit better about how my writing and life are going than I did a week ago. In the grand scheme of things, the changes aren’t that dramatic, but they still feel important. It’s been just over a week since I was first curated on Medium with the piece Self-Diagnosis and Dr. Google. Since then four more pieces were curated, which means they are visible as people search topics in the first page of results. They aren’t viral, by any means. I have a decent following considering the relatively short time I have been there.
Some of the personal bugs I had have now settled somewhat, and I feel grateful. I’m still glad I stuck up for myself, and am only sorry I haven’t done it a bit more often in other situations. More than ever, I think, I feel a right to exist in my space and have a voice. There is a power there, and at the risk of sounding corny, there is a responsibility, although I don’t fully understand what it means for me, I will keep paying attention. I’ll keep learning.
One thing that I have known for a long time is that life isn’t always fair. Some guys have all the luck, and some get the shaft time and time again. But being at the far end of either of these places is pretty rare. In a lot of ways, I feel like I do better with small wins rather than larger ones. In addition to my own work, and breaking through the curation wall, I have started my own publication on the site, Brave&Inspired, on Medium, I have felt braver, and I have certainly been inspired by several writers there for different reasons.
Whether someone is conquering their own mental health demons or raising their voice for a stronger sense of social consciousness, it is something that needs attention. We need knowledge that puts a bug in our ears to be more self-conscious, and to think about how our actions affect the world around us long term. I’ve been reminded of the obstacles I have overcome and the people who helped me overcome them.
No one does this life thing alone. Some assume writing is a lonely pursuit, but I believe that it is anything but. You expand your understanding of yourself. The more you let others in, the more you come to understand others as well. I have always worried about overstaying my welcome, but I have realized it is harder to do if you always bring a gift to the party. That’s the next turn my writing journey needs to take. Giving back. Little wins are wonderful, Their even better when others get to win too.
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story links in italics are “friend links” and can be viewed on Medium with no membership restrictions
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Gretchen Lee Bourquin obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature/Creative Writing in another life, and worked in disability care, customer service, and education administration — and as a single mom of two, now grown, kids- before delving into freelancing as a content writer. She’s enjoying the opportunity that Medium provides to get a little more personal and put the creativity back in her writing. Follow me on my Facebook Writing Page, Twitter, or WordPress
Life With Words on the Side 