The Gift I Didn’t Learn But Couldn’t Ignore

4 weeks ago

I never learned to write. Nobody sat me down and explained the structure, the conflict, or even pacing. I never ventured into the study of literature. I never curled up with some fat creative writing textbook. Neither did I attend any fancy masterclass, but for some reason, writing was something that I could always fall back upon.

That began very quietly the lines scribbled in a journal, sometimes thoughts that I simply could not voice aloud. I never even considered the fact that I was telling stories. I was trying to tame my feelings.

Then, one day I threw up in the group chat a short story: unedited, unconsidered, it was straight from the heart. And the reaction stunned me: This hit deep, or Why did I feel this in my chest?

It was a pivotal moment for me perhaps this was more than just a habit.

I began to write more intentionally. Short reflections. Fiction based on emotions I didn’t have words for. Blog style captions that didn’t sound like everyone else’s. And people kept connecting. They didn’t just read hey felt.

That’s when I realized: maybe I have something here.

But I didn’t stop there.

Even though writing came naturally, I wanted to do better ay more with fewer words, learn how to structure stories that stayed with people. So I turned to YouTube.

It became my free classroom. I watched tutorials on dialogue, character arcs, emotional pacing, and tone. I’d pause the videos mid sentence to write something down or try out a new technique. Bit by bit, I started seeing my voice sharpen.

Eventually, I had my mentor: an older and more seasoned scribe unafraid to speak truth to me. Their critique was far from always gracious; in fact, sometimes harshness was just what I needed to hear. This very truth has shaped me into what I am today. They helped me realize just what I was doing right and where I really ought to dig deep for courage, heart, and clarity.

That was everything and changed everything.

Though still without formal classes, my writing is much more timed and purposeful. The natural talent is still there but now it has a foundation of structure, growth, and intention.

So writing is not just therapy or catharsis; it has given me a way of connecting. Occasionally, I put up something I think is just too average and someone says, "Thank you for putting this into words." Really, that is the best kind of reminder.

Writing helps me digest trauma, reflect upon joy, and create meaning out of the crazy happenings life throws my way. It has given me a voice, and it has somehow instilled into another feeling seen.

Never taught formally, my writing took its color from simply sitting long enough in the presence of life and language, until both somehow found their way between my lips or across the paper.

Something I never set out to study, seated somewhere far away in the background like a quiet whisper of talent on a fading gale, was really one of the best avenues of my journey.

If it's easy for you, whatever it might be, never take it for granted. Maybe it will never come with a certificate of applause, but that does not make it any less potent. Sometimes the gifts we are most naturally endowed with are those we must eventually grow deeply into.
And I'd say I'm growing. Writing. Trusting words to continue finding me.