The Benefits of Daily Writing – How I learned to Stop Worrying and Write on a Daily Basis – Part 12

THURSDAY DECEMBER THE 7TH, EARLY AFTERNOON

Where am I?

I'm in a camper van. A parked one. The temperature inside is hardly warmer than the it's-getting-wintery weather outside. I am wearing a winter jacket and can see my breathe escaping from my mouth in little clouds.I should cover my
legs with a blanket. My sister's boyfriend told me where I could find one.

The van isn't mine. I don't even have a driver's license. I failed my exam twice last year and it hasn't been a priority for me since then. Combine that with lack of money. About a year and a half ago, I decided to not work for a boss anymore, to be my own boss. And then, a little over half a year ago, I invested almost all my money in cryptocurrency. Since then I try to make my living as a creative, a writer mainly. Lately, Steemit has become my day job. It isn't easy, but I'm slowly getting there.

...

I just looked for the blanket. I didn't find any, but I did discover a sleeping bag and covered my legs. It surely makes a difference.

Some Benefits of writing on a daily basis

So what is daily writing bringing me so far? What did it teach me?

1. I can do it!

I guess I have proven that I can, in fact, do it. Even on days when I do not necessarily feel like it, I seem to manage to free up the time and to find a space where I can focus on writing. Sure, there's still these voices that tell me that I'm too tired (often), feel a little sick (today) or prefer to do other things (regularly), but I can defeat them. The way to do so, is to actually sit down and start writing.

2. Writing makes me feel good.

You know what? Writing actually makes me feel better. It's kind of a relieve, a creative release.Even on days when I feel down or lack energy, putting my words on (digital) paper, I instantly start to feel better. It's like a natural cure.

3. It makes me less of a perfectionist

Writing on a daily basis helps me to be less of a perfectionist. Perfectionism has worked against me in the past, many times. It has been acceptance of the fact that what I share isn't necessarily perfect, that works to my advantage. In fact, sharing stuff when it does not always feel ready, instead of keeping it for myself – like I often did in the past – helps me a lot. And who knows, it might help others too.

4. Daily writing is like free therapy

I never went into therapy. I surely could have used a therapist though. Here, in our country, it is seen as a last remedy. It is considered 'weak', I guess. You should fix your own problems.

And what happens when you don't share your emotions and feelings? What happens when you hardly express them? When you aren't able to share them with the people around you (not even with a diary or a fictional audience)? You reach a point, where they become too big too handle. You become depressed. Or worse. Writing - or creativity in general - can be the medicine. It seems to help for me. It might help you too.

CUT TO

LATE AFTERNOON

After having written a draft version of the above, I lay down for a bit...
...and then I fell asleep. I just woke up and feel slightly hungover. That always happens when I sleep during the day. Something I rarely do.

It's now the end of the afternoon, it's still raining and the sun has just set. While I was sleeping, Bitcoin kept reaching new heights and I was half-dreaming of being rich. Or at least: rich enough to be able to continue living the 'be my own boss' kind of life. Being my own boss in all ways possible. Prioritize what makes me happy, feel good, as much as possible. Listening to the real me.

My twin sister just texted me:

“How are you doing?”

I think I'm going to call it quits for today. It's getting close to dinner time. Let's end it here.
No film talk this time. Sorry if I disappoint anyone. If so, let me know and I will see what I can do whenever this threatens to happen again.

FADE OUT

We made it to the end of part 12 in my consistency experiment.

In this project, I connect personal, daily life experiences with film talk. I'm trying to do all this in a brainstorm kind of way, in an attempt to become more consistent in my writing.

In case you're curious about earlier write ups of this series, here's links to part 1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10 and 11, where I talk about Stanley Kubrick, in particular the classic The Shining, movies on food and some intense food scenes in films, the power of editing, wintery movies, a neverending story about a favorite movie from my childhood, fifties movies, cinema that takes your breath away and some great examples of French cinema.

Pictures are taken by me with my iPhone 6s