So, writing is about self-discovery
Summer Lotus Dec 17th 5 min read
I have always wanted to write unique articles. I knew that I had to do it the hard way; that is to read and research. But I often felt resistant. The mass of words before me was not inviting. A thousand other things beckoned me to do them — my exercise, organizing my stuff, preparing and cooking that recipe, meeting a friend for coffee, continuing the drama series on Youtube, et cetera.
Later . . . later, I will do it, I tell myself.
Reading is a very difficult activity to do, at least for me. I have never finished more than five novels on my hand since young. I used to marvel at my classmates, how they could voraciously lap up thick romantic storybooks. My friend spoke with glee when she finished “Gone With The Wind” in under two weeks!
It takes a very tenacious person to read. I do not know whether this difficult trait is unique to me but I find people around me reading with ease especially at the latest website creation course which was not just a hands-on workshop. When we queried about anything on our Telegram study chat group, we received instructions but due to the sheer volume of students numbering to a thousand plus, one was always directed to an article or even a youtube post to find out more.
The problem lies with me and how could I overcome it? Fortunately, I love writing though I struggled to get every story through and have listed the steps on how I could surmount this obstacle.
I believe that I am impatient. I want things to be placed before me on a silver platter. Back in dental school, I once requested my professor to show me how to prepare a certain tooth at the dental chair. She looked at me with disdain and said, “ You want me to show you?!” Then she walked away and I went to figure out myself. Her teaching or mentoring had stopped outside the lecture rooms, so in the clinics, the ball was in my court. On looking back, I thanked her for not babysitting me.
The following is what I need to do:
1 Self-assess — I am patient! The old adage, “ Rome was not built in a day” stands for eternal truth. What is it that puts me off reading? Why do I want things done fast? Why couldn’t I wait? How could I develop more patience?
I guess it is in my nature to be impetuous. I realized that I am not so when it comes to dentistry, the learning of languages, and sports like scuba-diving and skiing. That’s it! I just found out that I am a kinesthetic learner!
Kinesthetic learners need to move. We are active and learn best when physically engaged through active participation and a sense of touch. That accounts for the way I often asked any of my mentors, “ Show me then let me try!” Reading is not a kinesthetic activity but a visual one but please don’t suggest that I learn Braille which would add another hurdle to my list of learnings!
2 Break it into a few pieces — — — I have a thousand yearnings beckoning me. Yes, I need a system. I decided to put them in order. Guess this is what I would plan; first, do the exercise which is very brief anyway being an impatient person. Then sit down for a full ten minutes, google all the stuff that is about the article that I want to write about, and keep the tabs open for reading later. Whatsapp the friend that I want to meet over coffee and arrange the date. Put a date and time which would be a weekend to cook that delectable dish. I am done!
The reading part? My most resistant activity! I guess I would read it and have frequent breaks to break the dullness that is insufferable to an active person — have a coffee, comb my cats’ hairs, arrange some stuff in the corner of my room, brush my teeth again, etc. Anything to break the monotony.
3 Psych myself up — I must envision the results. Another article, a more unique one posted and liked by others. A great day of learning and self-improvement. A step that is closer to my long term goal of being a writer. Just look at some of the established writers. They wrote an article a day sometimes more. Why can’t I do it with sixty-two years of life experiences under my belt? The obstacle is in my mind.
4 Mood — I heard from one designer friend some time ago and he told me that he could not work at times because the mood was not right. He needed inspiration and the right ambiance to create his works. That’s right. I should not blame myself solely. I need to know when I am in a fluid state and jump at the opportunity. Like now. Feeling intense about not liking reading and researching and suddenly ideas about these solutions surface. Putting on some soothing background music that has always worked for me in the dental clinic as my hands moved deftly with the handpiece.
5 Speed Reading — It suddenly occurs to me that this may just help. I should enroll in a speed-reading course! I have no idea how it will be conducted. Hopefully, they don’t send me to read more articles. I hope they actually show me the ropes as I work best being led by the nose, so to speak.
6 YouTube — -The perennial, alternative teacher is there, why am I not using it? Surely, I can find my answers there. I am not a very auditory learner as well and would need to develop this aspect. Well, if I can give time to only one episode of the dramas I watch on Youtube and it takes me a month or more to finish the story, I guess it boils down to the fact that I do not like to be sedentary. Maybe, I could put my iPad to play YouTube lessons while on the treadmill!
I have found my answers while pondering why my learning is stunted in many instances. As an impatient kinesthetic person, my struggles will continue but knowing my weaknesses and taking action will help me reach my unique goals. I shall now put my impatience to practice for the right reasons. Hopefully this helps you to do so as well.
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