Am I write?

Writing is a really useful skill

Nothing to see here, I am just writing

I am not saying it because I consider myself a writer, as a matter of fact, I don’t. I am just a guy who doodles some texts and prays for the words to get along together, and that’s it. However, it’s a process that I firmly enjoy.

In all honesty, I am loving it so far, and there are a couple of reasons why.
I started this journey 2 months ago, and so far has been an astonishing ride. I don’t remember where I heard this, but if you perform any activity on the regular as little as 20 minutes per day over the course of a year, you “automatically” become better than 95% of the population.

Well, for me is not about the competition, because let’s face it, I am not a native English speaker, so my chances of being better than 300 Million people are quite reduced (blames God for being born in the wonderful country of Portugal). So no, I don’t write for competing or even for rewards (even though they are a pleasant incentive I must admit). I have no aspirations to become a professional writer, mainly because the term itself sets my brain to play images of Jack Nicholson's chilling performance in "The Shining.", but rest assured, I have no murderous impulses directed at my family at this particular moment.
As stated before I write for a couple of different reasons, that you may or may not identify with:

Improving my English skills
As a native Portuguese speaker from the newer generation, I can confidently state that many of us are quite comfortable speaking English, though I wouldn't claim that we've reached near-perfect levels. In the last couple of weeks, I observed that my vocabulary improved and I no longer need to socialize with English speakers via gestures, like an angry baboon or an Italian ( Sono portoghese. Sto solo scherzando, fratelli latini / I am Portuguese. I am just joking my Latin brothers)

To stay updated
Laying down ideas on any subject dictates the need to stay informed, as this influences the accuracy and quality of the text. I tend to write about what I am aware of, however, I noticed that when something is interesting and I feel it deserves to be mentioned, I make an extra effort to control the subject, in order to provide a better-written experience, absorbing new information and developing my learning process. Seriously, in the last 6 weeks, I feel like I went from 0 to 100 real quick - Then I crashed the car.

Because It’s fun
It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite hobbies. And I think I know why! It’s super fun! I can almost feel the dopamine released, which makes this process extremely addictive - I don’t know if it is scientifically correct but seems something quite clever to be said, so had no choice but to do it. Plus between watching TV or this, I feel much more productive, doing the ladder.

Because It’s therapeutic
In the same way, I feel dopamine releases - which I totally fact-checked by now, and surprise surprise, I was correct ( please don’t fight with me over the comments exposing me as a gigantic fraud) -I find it quite therapeutic. I feel lighter, feel good with myself, and I have what I consider me-time. The world shuts off, and is me and my stupidity working together! It feels amazing man! You should try it.

To share my vision
Sometimes when communicating verbally, it may be hard to fully pass my point of view. With writing it can be the same. But you know what? I am not on a clock! While discussing or trying to make a point in a verbal manner, usually you have a limited amount of time to share your opinions, while "scrubbing" ideas you are the boss. You can take 1 month to put an idea down exactly as you envisioned it, leaving no room for a lot of debate, which means that no one can interrupt you (doggi barks as soon as I wrote it), or refute you (debates are good, not saying they are not) - No pressure there, but Don’t mess this up bossman!

It makes me think
It actually put my grey matter to work! A bunch of times it’s more of a challenge, than anything else. But it is a good challenge. It’s not like a “I am in the eleventh grade, crying while doing this math exam, because I am dumb and I don’t care anymore” kind of challenge. It’s a harmonious challenge, that makes me use logic, empathy, and knowledge! It feels good!

I can be myself
I can write about what I want, whenever I want! Sure, you can judge, and engage in meaningful discussion, but will you really? Hmm…for that you would have to probably write more than 10 words! YOU DON’T WANT THAT SON!

A few extras
So yes, jokes aside, these were a few reasons why I am loving my journey! There are a couple more, like building your online persona, enhancing your CV, being a candidate for a Nobel of Literature, or the ultimate challenge of improving your text game.

So if you don’t mind, I will keep doing my thing, trying to improve by the day, like I feel I’ve been doing so far. On the other hand, I might be running out of ideas, for f* sake, I just wrote a text about writing while writing that same text.