I respect you for your honesty and your authenticity. Your journey is one I admire. It takes courage to admit you’re wrong and look at your shadows, even more so to come out of it in a better place.

I agree, the "why" is important and you have really touched on some critical points for writers to consider. I found myself pondering that question after reading this.

In my early years of sharing my work ( I was a closet writer for many years before that) I really struggled with some of these points. It has taken several years for me to form a flow I comfortable with. I am now more solid in my voice but still leaving myself open to growth.

Sometimes, I wish I could expand my audience, but never at the expense of my integrity and my creative flow. I am open to growing, but not if that means I am no longer enjoying the process. For me that is important.

My aim here has never been monetary based, sure, like everyone, I got excited at the prospect when the opportunity arose, but these days, if I make enough to cover my membership, I am happy. The community, support and growth I gain from being authentic and real, far outweighs any monetary aspirations I may have had for this platform.

I guess, as you have mentioned, that might differ for everyone.

I have recently began submitting my work to literary magazines and taking myself more seriously, this is an arduous process that is full of rejection, but again, I never give up hope in terms of my why.

I am halfway through my first poetry book and I still cannot believe I have made it this far some days.

I am not shy about much in my everyday life, but writing has proven to be my sweet spot in that regard.

My best work is the stuff that stirs me up, it stirs others up, mostly it is intense and reflective, sometimes it is painful, occasionally it is peaceful. It is healing work. It is all me, it has my stamp on it. It is shared with the hopes that it touches others and helps me express a part of me, that would otherwise be lost inside myself. I will be damned if I don’t own it after years of fighting myself to get this far.

Asking yourself about your why? It is really life changing stuff.

Thanks, Jonathan, I have selfishly managed a tangent after reading this. But do you know what? it felt good, that is what quality writing should do, it should expand our thinking, it should entice the audience to feel.

Feeling all of this.