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.
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Comments (39)
Writing is the cheapest and side effect free therapy.
Hi everyone! My name is Michael. I really enjoyed this story! I am a new vocal storywriter. Please check my stories and be sure to rate them in the comments section so i can improve in anything. Hope you nothing but greatness. Big thanks to you in advance! https://todaysurvey.life/authors/michael-stephens%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I write for the same reason, as a therapy. I always thought I was alone in that. (Yay mental illness.)
Very relatable, thank you for sharing. So much of what you said here I have found myself saying as well. Like, I write for me before I write for anyone else. I absolutely consider writing to be enrichment, more than a hobby.
writing gives you a voice in a world where you don't always have one. Thanks for sharing
I think that someone is innately a writer when they can’t help but turn to writing as their constant. Writing is the only thing that soothes my inner turmoil, even as it exacerbates my mind. I’m glad you’re writing on here. Thanks for sharing this.
I've started writing for similar reasons and am so glad I found this platform. I've only written a handful of stories and plan to continue writing whatever comes to mind as often as it comes to mind. <3
I’m glad writing has been so beneficial for you. It helps me too in a similar way. It’s the one piece of my life that’s truly mine when so much of it is for work, husband, child, etc. 💖 Vocal is a great place for it too.
Relatable. Writing for your mental health. Feeling incomplete without expressing yourself. Thank you for your honesty surrounding matters of mental health. Those who don’t struggle don’t get it. They’re all, do this or that but what matters most is what works for you. For me. Abilify has helped many people I know. I’m glad you’ve found it. And very glad you have this platform. You’re a good writer and I very much enjoyed this read. And congrats to you on getting a top story💜
I began writing to give my children an account of who I am and how I came to be the person they know as dad. My daughter's first comment was that she did not know the person I wriote about. My memoirs or my accounts of them do contain some added and not necessarily factual moments to fill in some things that I would need prior permission to put in, but there is a good representation of things that have shaped who I am today, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
When my first marriage ended, I wrote poetry every day for a year straight and sent them out to everyone on my e-mail list. I signed each one "Just a Thought," but I told all of my friends that it was emotional vomit! I know exactly what you mean about why you write. I think this was a great read, well-written. Congratulations on the top story!
“When I can’t write, I feel a sense like I’m drowning or could” This is a great way to describe why writing is therapeutic to you and others. Personally, after joining vocal, writing is what I think about 50% of the day, everyday. Thank you so much for sharing who you are, and what you enjoy as a writer. 💖
Mother Combs, I’m sure many of us creatives relate to your words and reasons. I have to write … it’s like breathing for me. So when my illness prevents that, it’s beyond frustrating. I’m not here for making money (though of course that’s always nice). Nor am I here to be popular. (Again, all the comments and likes and support are incredibly welcomed and make me grateful.) Thanks for sharing your truth, and congratulations on a well deserved top story 🤗💕🙂
i write so as to earn a few extra dollars kindly visist my page
I agree , Writing on Vocal bring back joy . If it bring joy to readers as it did writing it, that’s a plus for me. 💕
I think imma little like you, I’m writing”me” in among other items, very interesting to read why people are here. I was you the best on your journey.
I relate to this; I have seen an improvement in my own mental health by writing, or at least planning a piece in my head every day. I'm so glad you have Vocal to help counter that anxiety and stress you mentioned experiencing. The peace writing brings is truly remarkable. And I'm terribly sorry that it's been such a struggle. ❤️
Enjoyed you describing your writing process, and how it makes you feel. For me it's exhilarating being an alchemist who transforms thoughts into words, sentences, articles, and books. Writers gotta write!
''When you are going through hell, keep going.'' - Winston Churchill I love your story and willingness to share the truth. I write because of early encouragement, and I do not think I can stop now despite all of the other concerns I have had on my mind. Once you are a child and make an teacher laugh at what you can write, the power is yours (thank you, Mr. M.). Keep going. ;)
Dear StepMom ~ You Keep 'Baking' them up ~ We'll keep 'Munching' on-um ~ - StepSon - Jay
Maintain this momentum! Your writing is truly exceptional and inspiring.
That's a really nice use of vocal for sure. It is nice how writing can be so therapeutic, I learned that the more I started writing (I can't remember exactly why I started writing, it was kind of random). I'm similar in that I write mainly to get the ideas and thoughts into writing, and I like how I'm improving along the way as I write more. I hope you keep on writing, and I hope that vocal continues to be a good space for you to relax 😊
You have a beauty inside I am so happy you shared yourself with us all! Keep sharing 😍💕🥰🌟
Excellent work and a deserved Top Story
What a special piece this is. I share with you the feeling of just needing to write for the sake of peace and well-being. I admire and respect you for knowing the worthiness of your voice and upholding the importance of you; sometimes in motherhood, the idea of personhood falls away and it can be very isolating. Thank you for sharing your experience.