My Outlet

My reasons for writing on Vocal are probably not the same as everyone else's. I don’t just post on Vocal to enter the contests. Nor do I write just for the views or the comments. I’m actually writing for my mental and emotional health.

When I first joined Vocal, I wasn’t planning on becoming a Vocal+ member. I felt that the cost to join, just to write in the challenges was a waste of money. Plus, I wasn’t very confident in my writing, at the time, to post anything that competitive. I decided to become a full member though, because I not only needed to challenge myself but to step out of my comfort zone. I'm still not that confident that I can compete with any of you.

No, I don’t write for the views or the comments. Not directly anyway. I write first and foremost for myself. Writing is therapy for me. It relaxes me and focuses me more than anything. When I can’t write, I feel a sense like I am drowning, or could. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all the comments and the views I am getting. Each one inspires me to do better.

I joined Vocal in July 2021. I wrote 6 stories that year. Then my pc broke. To make matters worse, my depression/anxiety medication had stopped working, and my health professional was having to find a drug cocktail that I could take and that would help me. I just couldn’t concentrate or focus on anything longer than 3 minutes. To make matters worse, I became mostly nonverbal. I just didn’t have anything to say anymore. Then almost 3 months ago, she added aripiprazole to my other medications. Things changed. I was able to focus and concentrate, again. I was starting to talk again. My husband didn’t cause me so much stress and my children weren’t making me so anxious with day-to-day problems. I still don’t like to go anywhere, but that isn’t really a surprise to me, considering I’ve never been one who liked to be on the go all the time.

Vocal gives me an outlet now. When I write, I feel a peace overcome me like I have never known. I feel calmer, less anxious. Surprisingly, for me, the support I get from other Authors helps me concentrate and feel more confident in my writing. (Thank you HandsomeLanzo, Real Poetic, Jay Cantor, Doc Sherwood, and Rick Henry Christopher, among many others, for all you do in making this place a friendlier place.)

Surprisingly, I’m still not here for all the views or the contests. I’ll enter a contest if it sounds interesting or if I feel inspired, but I’ve not done just as many. The views aren’t as important to me either. Don’t get me wrong, they're nice to have though.

I just want to write. I’ve been this way my whole life. Putting what I see in my mind down on paper, for others to enjoy. It brings me such happiness while I write a story. Then to have others read it, and express their joy in having taken the time to read the story. Now that makes me ecstatic. I get so excited when someone leaves a comment saying they enjoyed reading. Next to writing, entertaining someone brings me great pleasure.

I know that I would have never been brave enough to attempt posting my stories or poems, not on my own. But all my life, teachers have encouraged my writing. 3 specifically told me to take up writing. That I was good and they loved my stories. With encouragement like that, you can’t say no.

I doubt I will ever publish a chapter novel. I like the freedom of the short stories way too much. My poems are mainly me just playing around and making sure I write for so long every day. Vocal gives me that short story freedom and publishes my little poems. For this outlet, I am very thankful to Vocal.

So, that's why I write on Vocal. I just love to write. Writing is therapeutical for me. Vocal is the best platform I felt for the type of writing I choose to do.

Thanks for taking the time to read.