From the age of eight, I’ve been interested in two things: books and chemicals (this is also why one of my majors is English and my minor is chemistry). This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and I guess I’ve always been a weird kid, but I’m happy those are my interests. Not only do they make up who I am, but they are also a part of my life in ways that I really enjoy.

The National Day on Writing took place on October 20. It’s officially been an actual day of observance for seven years now. Its purpose is simple: to consider the impact of writing.

Writing is important not just because it’s actually a necessity in our everyday lives, but it’s through writing that people can take a break from the frustrations of the world. Without writing, we wouldn’t have our favorite shows or movies or books. Without writing we wouldn’t have ways to express ourselves without actually talking. Without writing, nothing would be the same.

Considering all of this blew my mind. So I wanted to write about the impact writing has had on my life.

I started writing for fun when I was ten. By twelve, I began my first “book.” By fourteen, I realized that book was the worst thing on the planet and started a new one. By nineteen, that book was published to Amazon online and I could finally share to the world the crazy imagination that’s been swirling in my head.

My mind is racing 99% of the time, but writing is that 1% where I feel like I have the most control and can think clearly without being distracted.

Still, I must admit that even fiction writing has its downsides. It’s fiction. Once you’re done writing in whatever world you’ve created, you have to return to reality. And reality is much harder. But this is where writing does that cool thing I mentioned earlier.

For some people, like myself, expressing emotions through words or talking about how you feel is the most difficult task in the world. It is actually physically very challenging for me to say how I’m feeling to someone (unless I’m just generally stating how annoyed I am). Writing is the cure to this. I’m able to explain to people through whatever I write or type what’s going on in my head.

Writing is one of the most underappreciated art forms there is. It’s not loud like music and it can’t be seen through vivid colors and strokes like a painting, but it’s essential. For me, writing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a part of my life that I never want to lose. Writing isn’t just a few words on a page or screen. It’s a vital piece of the world’s puzzle.