Habits over Obligations

Maybe writing isn't an art; it's a habit. Let's not confuse habit with obligation. A habit is something we've wired ourselves to do, becoming second nature and, over time, a part of life. 

It adds daily color to our world. An obligation, on the other hand, is something we have to do, often forgotten over time, casting a dim spotlight on our world for a short duration.

I've always been a writer. Everyone is a writer. Even if we don't publish books — what I’d call an author — the terms are interchangeable. However, I would argue that an author is synonymous with a writer. I realized I learned to assemble letters into words during grade school, blending letters like a, n, and t, then progressing to spell "ant" and forming words that blend into sentences. For instance, saying or typing, "I was bitten by an ant."

Writing, for me, is personal. It's for me and only me. Yet, simultaneously, I believe everyone needs to recognize that our words reflect who we are and how we perceive the world. If we don't respect our words in communication, we can unintentionally cause harm. Words are a reflection of us, offering insight into our minds and hearts. So, why not build a habit of writing that represents our current selves?

We write everywhere — in text messages, Instagram, TikTok, emails, and work environments. So, why not be intentional with our words, just as a musician is with their guitar or a weightlifter attempting a 140-kilogram snatch? 

Building a writing habit is pushing limits, like those in the "75 Hard Challenge." But what a writing habit does is create a sequence of actions birthing lasting color in our world, free from our handcuffs.

I write about this because it's something I'm finally grasping as I enter this phase of my life. Developing positive habits that bring peace and action starts with the words I use, including those I speak to myself. 

Without this perspective, I'd be stuck in the habit of writing as an obligation. I don't treat marriage or parenting as obligations, so why should I treat a habit that brings peace to my life any differently? 

Writing as a habit is no different from spending 30-60 minutes in the gym lifting weights or running through the mountains. It's a necessity to keep breathing, providing oxygen for this beating heart and wandering spirit.