I am a Writer.
I’m a writer. That is was SHOULD have come out of my mouth when the women behind the counter at the doctors’ office asked “what do you do?”.
The question “what do you do?” caught me completely off guard. My mind had a Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by James Thruber–moment.
Did she mean:
- what were the 500 things I had to do that morning in order to get everyone out the door at 7:30 am–armed with backpacks, lunches, car schooling supplies, notes for one kid to take the bus home with another kid, making sure I had my previous medical records, the iPad, packing the basketball uniform in the backpack because that kid isn’t coming home before the game, getting dinner in the crock pot . . .
- did she mean what am I planning on doing?
- did she mean what do I do on an average day? (no such thing)
- the mental list went on and on about what I “do”.
Finally, after several moments of quiet, she asked me again–“what is your job?”, and again my mind couldn’t come up with one word.
Again, several moments went by, she asked “do you stay home” and that really sent me into a mind spin because–no, I’m rarely home. I’m on the road A LOT or I’m getting everyone ready to be on the road.
I should have just said that I’m a writer. That would have made her happy–but then she would have asked me “what do your write about?”.
I write about people like you–I would explain. Then go back into the secret life inside my own mind–where I am free to be and I’m not labeled with just one word.
I’ve written a lot about finding my purpose, my journey, and where I want to go . . . but first I want to experience each moment to the fullest and find joy–
that is what I want to do–then write about it.
After I finished writing this . . . I had a nagging feeling. It wasn’t what I wanted it to say. Yes, I’ve very excited to go back and reread and redo the chapter of my life about writing. Writing all those years for other people and now I write for me and you.
But it isn’t really about being a writer–it is about writing about the being.
Writing is how I share the excitement in my everyday boring/not always exciting, life is hard, different each day, not what I planned, routine–how can it be routine yet unplanned? That’s what I can’t explain–I start out each day with a plan–and life happens! The items on the list may not get checked off but “real life” is about the things that AREN’T on the list.
So the next time someones asks about what I do–I will say– “I write about being.”, (thinking of adding a “DUDE” so they have a better sense of the free to be vibe . . . even if I said all of that. Some people still won’t get it. (I’m ok with that–now at this season in my life.)
Be Blessed.
I’m linking up to The Better Mom, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, Playdates with God, Motivation Monday, Mindful Mothering, monday musings,
I’ve just given up work to start living (and writing) my days are amazingly full too, and my chicks have flown, so don’t even have them to worry about. I too am trying to get in the habit of saying ‘I’m a writer’ it feels, kind of, embarrassing, especially when I haven’t (yet) been published. But I’m going for it, and going to enjoy it. Glad to hear of someone else in the same place!
I’m so convinced that we all share pages out of one another’s life stories–sometimes a whole page or chapter–sometimes just a sentence or two–but we are all connected.
Be Blessed.
I’m right there with ya (and I totally think you should add the “Dude”!)
My kids gave me the Lego Hippie for my birthday! To go with my Lego caravan that I built myself!
I was born a few years too late!!
Be Blessed.
Yes, you are a writer. :)
thanks! :-)
LOL – loving the DUDE!
I’m finally owning myself as a writer. I had a chat with one of my bils Saturday night. He wanted to know if I was making money with my blogging. Not sure where he was coming from, I explained what I was doing and how I was making enough to cover expenses. Then, I said it was about creating community and writing, not about the money. Though money is good.
One of my favorite quotes is about writing myself into well-being. I think it might be Anais Nin. I write to make sense. I write to process. I write to share. I write to let others know about my humanity as a mother, as a human being. I write to let others know that someone else has experienced what they’ve experienced and survived. I write because it’s what I do.
Thanks for linking up to Motivation Monday!
I am so GLAD that you write!!! You inspire, motivate, and make a safe place for us to go!
and, how can you put a price on making people feel loved and nurtured?
Be Blessed because you are a blessing.
Often when we say, “I am a writer,” it leads to additional questions. I’m “refocusing” my writing from the devotional/inspirational genre to pursuing my dream of writing fiction. I always tend to go into a long spill about “well, I really want to write fiction, but for now I’m writing…” When I think about it, both genres are about life, so a simple answer is “I write about life.” Good food for thought here.
Joan,
Figuring out why we write is so personal–we spend so much time “editing” our ideas when we should just let ourselves go–it doesn’t matter if it changes, isn’t perfect . . . we may have a bad hair day but we still have to do something with our hair–we still need to do something with our words–even when they go a different direction.
I’m going to practice saying “I write about being” and see where that gets me!
Be Blessed.
SUCH a great post!! I was giggling as I read through the interaction between you and the woman. I could picture it as if I was there. And oh, how many times I’ve been there myself!! I love your line: But it isn’t really about being a writer–it is about writing about the being. I’m going to tweet it. =) Thank you for this, it was so lovely and so encouraging!
thanks for tweeting–since I’m not a tweet kind of girl–yet. But I find myself very tweet able. (how corny is that)
Each day is a new day to evolve–I’m feeling like I’m in place of huge growth.
Be Blessed.
Hey Renee!! Sue here from thet2women.com. This is my first time visiting with you and loved it!! I definitely plan to come back and get to know you better!! I don’t think writer would have been on the tip of my tongue either if asked :( Perhaps one day…. :) God bless ya!
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by and touching base.
Be Blessed.
“But it isn’t really about being a writer–it is about writing about the being.”
You are speaking for me, too! I never know how to answer that question about what I do. I can rarely even answer it for a specific day. Love your answer though. Maybe I’ll use it too…
Do you find that you put some much of yourself in what you “do” that the “I am” meld into one big confusing, wordless wonder of being? Only people who truly speak Renee will get that . . . I’ll have my husband translate :-).
When our minds, our bodies and our spirit (soul) begin to work in harmony–we experience things differently.
Be Blessed.
You have SO struck a cord of recognition here! On no level, at this point of my life, does a simple one word answer satisfy the “what do you do?” question. Mentally I think, “I REALLY would like to answer that.” and “Have you got five minutes so I can respond and do it justice?”
Ok–great–so glad that someone gets it! You know the image of Santa looking at his list and it is a mile long . . . that is what I feel like whipping out of my purse . . . maybe I should do a vlog about this! Thanks for understanding.
Be Blessed.
I adore this post! After reading it I might, hopefully, perhaps, someday remember to actually say I am a writer. An awakening budding writer, still on the tree drenched in sap-but still a writer.
each day is a new opportunity! I started out saying . . . I create things–that seemed easier to say AND accurate. I’m not sure why some of us are more shy.
Be Blessed.
You truly have a beautiful blog and this post is amazing!
Ashley at http://www.southerngirlsheart.com/
Thanks–I didn’t have a honeymoon either! I’m always talking about how everyones lives seen to overlap . . .
Be Blessed.