Welcome to Writing Inspiration Friday! Today's guest blogger is Kelsey Hanson from polishedportrayal.blogspot.com
Moving Forward into a Crappier Future
As a teenager, I was often told to treasure these moments, as they would be the best that I would ever have. I listened to this advice in FEAR, because if that was the case, then what could there possibly be to live for? And if these years felt like CRAP, then should I expect the rest of my life to be even CRAPPIER?
I know I was not the only person to receive this little tip, so I'm certain that some people must actually feel this way to some degree, which I can't even imagine. Living in the past is something I've never felt compelled to do, and have always been pushing forward towards a better and brighter tomorrow. Which a lot of the time, is simply not the case. My life past high school isn't crappier, but it hasn't been a delightful climb into the heights of delirious happiness either. It's been an emotional rollercoaster, filled with highs and lows, but I can honestly say that the lowest of the low, for me, was the teenage years.
These were the years that I began to write. I wrote sad, depressing poems about life and death, in a confused attempt to understand myself and the purpose of my life. It was helpful I suppose, and I found that over the years, as my spirit lightened, and my despair faded, I wrote less and less.
Until now. Having my husband deploy for his military tour in Afghanistan was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, mainly for having to watch my two children struggle with his absence and the adjustment to our lives. Feeling uncertain of how to handle this, I resorted back to writing. But this time? Ten years later? I didn't feel the need to understand myself as much as I had in earlier years. I know who I am, what I value, which direction I want my life to go and how I plan to get there. Writing sad, depressing poetry? Well, that would serve no purpose other than to push me further into a deep, dark hole of despair and desperation.
What made me feel better? What inspired me to move on? What actually helped me pull through this challenging time, was writing a positive and humorous reflection of the moments in our life. Not a convoluted version that inaccurately describes our days as being happy-go-lucky moments, but a portrayal of how even the most brutal of brutal experiences can be something to laugh about. And in writing this, I found that the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings about these moments inspired other people too. Which was all kinds of inspiring for me to continue blogging my heart out and sharing our story.
Some days, I find myself holding my head in my hands, frustrated with the chaos of managing to find enthusiasm for my son's dinosaur expression, while cleaning up the floors from the mess of my daughter's potty training attempts. The same place I had just cleaned up my yorkie's pee, after he jumped up from my lap, made eye contact with me and deliberately lifted his leg, all because I was unwilling to throw his ball for the 90th time. But these moments? They can be inspiring all the same, because as horrific as a day can get, the worst ones are often made of the best material for writing.
www.polishedproductions.etsy.com
www.polishedportrayal.blogspot.com
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Nice to come in and read this, Kelsey. We actually tell our kids to enjoy their childhood while they can. Not that adulthood is terrible, but there are so many responsibilities: bills, jobs, a house, cars, relationships… and right now they have chores and make an allowance for helping out, friendships that waiver at the ‘small issues’ not big ones, and their biggest job for the time being is school.
There are simplicities in childhood (if it’s done right) that seem to disappear when you’re all grown up.
It’s great however that you found solace in writing while you were growing up. And so wonderful how you find writing is a positive force as an adult.
All the best,
R.M.Gilbert(Quote)
R.M. Gilbert
R.M.Gilbert´s last blog ..Mad State
Yep, I got that advice. While I had a lot of great moments as a kid and teenager it wasn’t all roses and I remember thinking, “Wow, I really hope this isn’t as good as it gets!”
I think it’s awesome to take what you have an put that into writing, whether happiness pushes you to write or sadness does. Whatever the driving force is, writing is a great outlet to pour it into, that’s for sure. Krysten(Quote)
Thank you Kelsey for being my guest today on the Saucy Scribe blog and adding some thoughts on writing inspiration!
I can really identify with those teenage angst feelings and hating it when people said those years were the best (cause they weren’t always, ya know?)
Sayin’ some prayers for your hubby too that he stays safe while away serving in the military. Debora(Quote)
Oh! Great post. Thanks for bringing us Kelsey, Deb.
Love how she accentuates the positive.
Thanks, Kelsey.
http://www.bethannestrasser.blogspot.com Penny Dune(Quote)
You’re doing a good job, Kelsey. I know public attention tends to focus on the hardships faced by the ones who go away, but the ones who stay behind to keep the family home safe and strong have your own hardships to face. Sometimes with little or no support. When I was in the military, I was always very conscious of that and more grateful to my wife than words can say.
I’m glad you’ve found this place of creative contentment in your writing. (((Hugs))) David Bridger(Quote)