My Advice That Warranted a Slap in the Face

Yes, you read that right. As I was browsing through one of the writer’s forums I frequent, I came across a woman, let’s call her Sue, who had written a post about how upset she was. In fact, Sue was so upset, she was practically ready to swear off her writing altogether. What could make a person so upset that she was ready to throw away her passion? I had to find out more.

Keep in mind, this was in November and a certain nationwide event had just concluded. Okay, I’m burying the lead a bit here. The 2024 election had just been decided and Donald Trump was declared to become the 47th president of the United States. Like many Americans, she was distraught, inconsolable and spiraling. Farebeat from me to tell a person how to feel, but something inside compelled me to say a few words to Sue.

Here’s what I said:

“With all due respect and not here to tell anyone what to do or how to live, but if a political moment affects your artistic endeavors to the point where you cannot perform, then dare I say you were not serious about your art to begin with.”

I will admit, upon reading my response again, I can see how one would want to reach out and slap me in the face. But, I am not here to condemn Sue, or others who may feel the same way. My point was simple: if you’re serious, nothing will stop you.

I’m speaking from a place of tough love, because we’ve all been there. Someone or something gets you so down you don’t feel like doing anything at all. You’d rather sit in darkness, stare at the floor, doomscroll on the phone, just about anything else. I don’t know Sue personally but I have come in contact with many people who share in the same sort of vulnerability.

If she allows a part of the outside world—of which she has little to no control over—stop her from writing, she needs to get more serious about it. If that is truly her passion, nothing should get in the way.

In all honesty, I am rooting for her. I’m rooting for anyone who has a story to tell. Writing through grief or anger or disappointment isn’t easy. But it’s meaningful. It counts. It’s where the good stuff is. Waiting for your life to fall into place in order to create something good kinda defeats the purpose.

If anything, this is the ultimate opportunity for writers like Sue to dig deeper. To remember why we started writing in the first place. Writing isn’t always romantic. It’s not always productive, but if it’s something that lives in you, you will come back to it. This can be applied to many other fields as well. We all need a break sometimes, just don’t abandon it for good.

So, to Sue, and to anyone else out there feeling down, this is your reminder that if writing is your calling, then let it call you now. Let the storm outside fuel the fire inside. Just don’t slap the messenger.