Can writing online daily change your life? I didn’t think so.

The skeptic in me doubted I would make it to day 7. Well, here I am, hitting publish for the 15th time. It’s been both easier and harder than I feared and rewarding in surprising ways:

1.       I’ve strengthened my connections with old friends. Daily writing has spawned rich conversations with friends, especially one who now posts daily too. Our talks remind me how many people are stifling their creative desires, and how much we stand to gain from freeing them.

2.       I’ve made new connections. The Ship30for30 community teems with diverse writers and topics. I particularly enjoy reading other writers’ essays on creativity -- creativity in midlife, creativity and technology – angles I hadn’t thought to cover, which makes me want to write more.

3.       I run more. Since lacing up my sneakers the first day panic struck, daily mile and daily essays have become my touchstones. I’m curious about the link between fitness and creativity and will explore that path more.

4.       I’m enjoying social media more. I’ve been so overwhelmed during COVID, I wanted to avoid the braying and negativity. Having a carefully curated path is a lot more inspiring and fun.

5.       I’ve reconnected with my writing. I’ve written daily for 20 years so I knew the therapeutic value of daily writing. But sharing that writing daily has helped to reduce my perfectionism. Better yet, it feels like I’m carving out a place in a community I care deeply about.

On days like today, I don’t have enough time for the story I’d love to write. But I’ve learned that if I make time to write, just because I love it, the rest will take care of itself. For me, that’s a life-changing lesson.