Journal logo

Vocal Challenges and Why I'm Thankful for this Outlet in 2020

Looking forward to a new writing challenge has been a fundamental key in supporting my mental health during quarantine.

By Ghezal AmiriPublished 3 years ago 7 min read
Top Story - November 2020
16
Vocal Challenges and Why I'm Thankful for this Outlet in 2020
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

It's been a hard year.

Throughout the world, millions of families have been affected either directly or indirectly by COVID-19. Healthcare workers have been on the frontlines handling unimaginable terror on a daily basis while certain political figures have downplayed the severity of this novel virus. I've personally known about a dozen family members who caught it and a few who had to be hospitalized because of it.

During this time, I strive to keep in perspective the issues I experience with the scenarios countless of others are enduring who would give anything to be in my shoes. I thoroughly believe in the importance of counting my blessings and if there ever was a year where this ideal is magnified, it's 2020.

There are the certain groups in my life that I will be eternally grateful for that simply go without saying: my family, my friends and BTS. As the days of quarantining became weeks and these weeks grew into months, one constant I now count as a new blessing are Vocal's writing Challenges:

My History with Writing

I used to write consistently from 2016-2018 for various entertainment-focused news outlets including Movie Pilot, my own blog and Coming Soon. Following news that my mom had to undergo major back surgery, I took a break from everything writing-related to focus on her rehabilitation.

Her surgery was a success and after a few months, she thankfully made a full recovery. It was at this point where I realized I was not earning nearly enough as I needed to sustain life and was ultimately hired to work at the DMV... Yes, you read that right: I am the person you most likely despise to encounter after sitting in a waiting room for like eight hours. Pleasure to meet you!

It was at this point where I took a sabbatical from writing save for an occasional article when the mood hit me; it certainly wasn't a dramatic exit. We left it on good terms and I began my riveting work of licensing new drivers and exchanges from other countries - oh me, oh my!

Fast forward a year and a half and it's March 2020. Lockdown begins and I'm left to my own devices.

Hello Goodness, My Old Friend or: "Uh oh... I've caught the bug again."

I had a Vocal account following my Movie Pilot tenure where, whenever MP was shut down in 2018, all of my articles were transferred over to Vocal. It just so happened that my first article I wrote following a 3 year hiatus was for the Challenge entitled "Mobile Moments" where Vocal was offering an actual financial reward (and a hefty one at that!) for a piece detailing a favourite shot found in your cell phone.

I began brainstorming which image to use and a familiar wave of genuine excitement washed over me. It was then that I knew: my old friend, the writing bug, caught ahold of me and refused to budge.

I wrote the piece prior to lockdown and, if I'm being honest, the initial reason I did was because of that immensely tempting prize. I figured if there was even the slightest of possibilities that I would be deemed worthy enough to win, I should take it. The only other two Challenges available at that time were "Locals Only" and "Behind The Beat."

Once I hit "submit" on all three, that pesky little bug turned into a Power Rangers Megazord and I was hooked. When we were put into lockdown and Vocal announced we had more Challenges to look forward to, I wish I could properly place into words just how grateful I was to have this outlet made available to me. What did I possibly do in another life to be given this phenomenal opportunity when I needed it the most? Writing had always been my sanctuary to delve into when life became too much to handle and that sheer fondness I previously felt whenever I turned on my laptop and began aimlessly typing my thoughts out onto the page -- I thought I had lost that feeling.

Knowing there was another upcoming Challenge not only gave me the encouragement I needed to get through my day, it granted me the chance to continue improving my writing skills on a daily basis... A practice I hadn't experienced since university!

Let's Gush over 3 of my Favourite Challenge pieces written by Vocal Members

Another component of the Challenges I immensely adore is reading through the works from these unbelievably talented individuals whose works I continue to admire. Learning more about my fellow writers and reading some of their remarkable works continually inspires me to better express my own voice.

Kathryn Milewski's winning entry for the "Quarantine Playlist" Challenge entitled "A Quarantine Mixtape, Made Just For You " remains one of my personal favourites because of just how thorough and detailed she went into it. A reader can truly tell when a writer puts in the taxing work for an incredibly meticulously written piece and Milewski embodies this idea.

For the "Iconic Duo" Challenge, fellow ARMY and Challenge winner Sammi Curran wrote a touchingly personal letter detailing her experience with quarantine by spending her time playing *the* game of the quaranyear, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I will forever be a proponent of utilizing art, in whichever medium it is presented in, to help overcome whatever inner obstacles and struggles one may be enduring. Curran opened up about how her anxieties caused her to fear about the future and how Animal Crossing allowed her an avenue to lose herself in her island.

Joy Johane's winning entry for the "For You" Challenge took me on a genuine rollercoaster of emotion I was frankly not prepared for. Johane introduced me to creator Nicole Thea and the loving relationship she shared with her partner Jeffrey. The piece culminates with a delightful Tik Tok starring a pregnant Thea and Jeffrey happily dancing in the sun and it was here when I fell in love with the couple. Johane then reveals both Thea and her newborn son Reign tragically lost their lives following his birth. This piece has continued to stick with me and I probably would not have had any idea who this person was had I not seen this piece for a Vocal Challenge.

Continuing to express myself through Vocal

Vocal Challenges allow writers the opportunity to focus on a specific topic and fine-tune their voice needed to express whatever thoughts are brewing in their mind... To be vocal about their opinion, if you will. (My comedy musings will be here all decade, don't you worry.)

I have been able to write about my absolute favourite things both for the Challenges and as regular articles. I've lauded over Jodie Comer and her character Villanelle in the third season of Killing Eve. Drag Queen supreme Nicky Doll retweeted the article I wrote about her and after I successfully defibrillated myself, I was able to thank her for her kind words. Back in February I wrote a tribute to commemorate the great Philip Seymour Hoffman and learned more about him than I ever knew before.

What these Challenges have given me is not only the chance to earn cash for my words (which, again, is pretty phenomenal) but it's granted me purpose. I anticipate every new Challenge and when it hits the home page, I can eagerly brainstorm ideas for it. The variety of topics in these Challenges continue to amaze me as I've written about the following:

I truly hope I'm able to continue contributing to these discussions in the future. I feel a genuine sense of elation whenever I submit a piece and cannot wait to see the future topics brewing up in the Vocal brain trust.

Read about what other Vocal+ Members are thankful for this year at the "Thankful Thoughts" Challenge!

***

Thank you for taking the time out to read my rambling thoughts. Follow me and my musings over on Twitter!

product review
16

About the Creator

Ghezal Amiri

Afghan-Canadian writer who enjoys witty quips and BTS, proper grammar and Jodie Comer.

I tweet with @MrsBananaPhone because it's the best and beats the rest.

I also have designs: https://www.teepublic.com/user/designingsimple

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.