Premature Endings, Infinite Beginnings

Premature writer's death. The end. Simple, that. The. END. No more stories, ideas, pieces, or thoughts for the protection of the soul and the need to appreciate the moment, people, and time.

The most important thing in life is balance. There is a time for everything. Over the holiday and in this break, I had found myself once again consumed by the thoughts that run inside my head. Every day seeking something new and interesting to write about.

When I set out on this journey to write for 22 days, it was meant to be a celebration of life and the curiosity that drives us to live it. Being boxed in and feeling as though my identity and image were closely tied to politics, I felt the need to venture out—to find the joy in writing again.

After a year of unimagined success, I was no longer enjoying the process. All of a sudden, the metrics and the reasons why I wrote changed. I was no longer just doing something I was passionate about; rather, I was now chasing this endless desire to be recognised.

Now, in the moment of solitude where I have the opportunity to rest and reconnect, I prioritised a project which was fruitful. It has removed me from the people, the connections, and the mundaneness of the holiday. I placed the priority on community, reflection, and resetting for the year to come.

In this moment, where much of the conversation has been focused on prioritising personal relationships, investing in each other, and seeking each other's humanity, it is important I try to do the same.

Writing these words, ideas, and painting images that unlock thoughts to Pandora's box is the thing that keeps me living. Each thought, each question, draws me closer to the world. Hopefully, through all the work and writing that has occupied some of your screens this year, I want to say thank you. It goes without saying that connecting and touching one person is enough.

As I bring to a close the end of this writing journey, which asked me to find the joy in the process and not the outcome, I found clarity in the words that connected me to each and every one of you. The energy that is felt through each letter that is typed continues to drive me to do more.

Though this is an early end to something that has been absolutely amazing and beautiful, I think it reflects the true beauty in life—having the capacity to say that there is something bigger, more important, and valuable than the work you do.

As these 22 days close out the year, I am unclear if you will hear from me—if we will get to have our thoughts reflected through us through our words. This may be a premature death.

But after death comes life.

This is Misunderstood.