In a digital world, getting access to information is as easy as breathing. Everything is in the tips of our fingers once we click the search engine. Problems as petty as crushes to serious matter such as depression can be answered through it. I have been a victim of this world. I was born in the 90’s and my childhood was mostly dedicated in watching television. My dreams are patterned in the shows I used to watch. It was always what other people inject in my mind that I nurtured. I forgot how to listen to my own thoughts. I always thought that I would be living in the shadows of others until I discovered writing journals.

In writing journals, I found my own voice. Just when I thought that I have nothing to say, I realized how many ideas and feelings I could have in one event the moment I start writing about it. My favorite part in writing a journal is the fact that I can hear my thoughts in front of me. It is the best self-expression I know. I do not have to think of getting judge while I pour out my deepest fears or desires. Another best part in writing is the fact that I can go back to the certain days of my life if I would read again my previous entries in my journals. As I write day by day, I got closer to my inner being. It has become a tool for me to understand myself better.

Looking back, I never thought that I would love writing. It has always been a tedious task for me. During my high school, I would always have a “talaarawan” activity. It is a Filipino term which means “journal” in English. The first years in writing “talaraawan” were mere obligations. How I hate doing it. I did not get the point of documenting daily activities. It seems to me that my life is monotonous. Until I had a crush that I wanted to capture every moment I have with him. Through that crush, I have grown my love in writing journals. I realized how much joy a day has if only I would be keen to it. Eight years later, I am still enjoying the benefits of it.

One benefit of journals is to understand other people. As a person, this is my strength: I easily get along with others. The more I write, the more I understand myself. The more I understand myself, the more I understand people. Rather than judging them for their misbehavior, as I evaluate myself in writing, I get to see how similar I am to them. I wish that all people will get to have this kind of outlet in expressing themselves. That they will learn to listen to what and why they are feeling what they are feeling; that they do not have to run to social media to get sympathy. I might not get any answers in my journals, but I get to reflect deeply of the why’s in life.

This is my “introduce yourself” post. I like to make an emphasis that for eight years; I have been a writer in a private way. I like my own experiences to be mine alone, not that I am selfish about it but I am scared of sharing it to the world. I thought of joining this community for quite some time, and realized to put my writing to the next level. So here I am in community. I would like to say thank you to @brapollo29 for encouraging me to be part of this community.

My next posts will be more of entries rooted in my deep relationship with Christ. It is my hope that through my writing, people will somehow find light in this dark world.