It Made Me Feel Like I Could Do It Too: The 1-Week Habit-Building Writing Program (Day 8)

Today, I would like to summarize what I gained and felt from the "1-Week Habit-Building Writing Program" that I have been participating in recently.

Insights gained from Yuki Ishikawa's (Yupi) lecture

I listened to Yuki Ishikawa's lecture in my spare time, "while doing other things." While running at the gym. In the car while picking up my child from preschool. Because of that, I listened without taking any notes.

This lecture contained many tips for enjoying and continuing to write, so before writing this article, I listened to it again at high speed and wrote down the points that resonated with me.

Discard the mindset of "I have to write properly"

For me, this was the biggest takeaway from the lecture.

I think the reason I haven't been able to keep writing until now is precisely because this mindset of "writing properly" set a high hurdle for myself. Actually, I still want to write properly, but I realized that I should set the level of "properly" to something that fits my own capabilities.

A habit doesn't just mean doing something every day

I think many people who heard this lecture were saved and encouraged by these words. Yes, it's important to keep the feeling alive and not quit, even if it's not every day.

However, yesterday, I dared to make a declaration that "I will write every day." With the hurdle of "properly" lowered, I thought that maybe I could do it too. It is thanks to this program that I was able to feel that way.

Let's build a note-taking habit

I thought this was a great idea.

When your heart is moved, capture that fresh feeling in words at that very moment. While talking to people. While reading a book. While watching TV. Pin it to your heart before it gets blown away by the wind and disappears. I definitely want to put this into practice.

Put the reason for writing into words

To maintain motivation, keep the answer to that properly written down in words. I thought I would like to apply this not only to writing but also to other things I am starting or currently working on.

Don't try to connect everything to money or a career

This was also mentioned as a prescription for maintaining motivation, just like the previous point. Actually, my husband told me the same thing the other day. His opinion was that if you rush to connect things to money, the learning aspect might be neglected, so it might be better to first focus on becoming proficient in that field and developing your own abilities.

I think there are many ways of thinking, but at least for me, it's about continuing to write first.

Impressions of participating in the program

By participating in this program, the stress and pressure I had been feeling on my own were lifted, and writing has become much more enjoyable than before.

I've become able to finish writing!

From the second day onwards, I wrote and posted articles based on the suggested prompts. In the past, even when I started writing with enthusiasm, I often couldn't finish, but thanks to the shift in my mindset about "writing properly" that I gained from Yuki Ishikawa's lecture, I have become able to reach the point of finishing an article and posting it.

By changing the level of what I consider "proper," I've become better at controlling the time I spend writing articles than before. I've been able to cut down on the time I used to spend agonizing over whether an article was "proper enough" beyond my current capabilities.

Just being freed from this curse of "properly" makes me feel that participating in this program was truly worth it...!

The communication was also fun

During the program, within the "Creative Learning Group," I read more of other people's notes than usual, and I feel like more people read my articles than usual as well.

When I receive comments on my articles, it makes me happy to know they were read, and then I want to know what kind of articles the people who commented are writing. So I read them and try commenting back.

Also, during this program, I had the experience of having my article quoted for the first time. I was so happy I was even moved to tears.

Actually, there was a bit of a problem too...

While participating in the program, there were a few days where I took a break, but I wrote almost every day, and actually, there was a bit of a problem.

That is, perhaps because my Japanese brain circuits are becoming too activated, my English skills are slightly dulling...! (Note: I live in the US.) I feel like my listening comprehension, in particular, is getting worse. When I'm not in a listening mode, I tend to miss things said casually. This is quietly troublesome.

So, after I finish writing an article, I listen to English news, do shadowing, or talk to myself in English to call back my English circuits. (Is it just me?)

Finally

Through this program, I realized once again that there are really many people who want to write, and I sincerely felt that I want to continue writing while sometimes working hard alongside others who are doing the same.

With gratitude, the end.