Why I Write

For many years I dreamed of writing books. While I still plan to one day write a story that I can share with the world, I do not yet feel ready to commit to the process of creating characters to enact a work of fiction. For now I will start with more manageable and bite sized blog posts that keep me grounded in the present. There are three primary reasons I wanted to create this space.

1. To document my thoughts and perspectives to allow me to see what changes with further experience

I often find myself trying to look back and understand my thoughts and perspectives last year before I started living on my own and working in an Emergency Room. It is impossible to grasp what I thought about medicine, perhaps less because I had never written about it and more because I didn't have much of a clue about how the medical system worked. I expect that as I continue to create my own space in the world, pursue further education and (hopefully) start practicing medicine, my 'musings' will morph.

2. To put my thoughts down on paper and perhaps create a space for dialogue

Writing usually feels very cathartic to me. I often find myself lost inside a swarm of thoughts and ideas in my mind. In an attempt to clarify things I spew it all out to my friends and family but I never seem to be able to say what I mean. So maybe, just maybe, this blog will allow me to formulate what I want to say a bit more clearly.

I appreciate open dialogue and hearing other perspectives. To anyone who finds themselves here, please feel free to comment.

3. To share 

It is a crazy world where anyone has the ability to post their words for all to see within seconds. But in busy lives this can be an opportunity to stay connected to people you know and to share ideas with wider groups of people. My sister was in Bolivia last semester and she kept a blog. While reading some of her posts I felt I was getting to know her in a way I hadn't before.

This year I have come to appreciate the internet more than ever as I have tried to navigate life in my own apartment. As I make decisions about what to cook and how to clean I have found myself stumbling open the blogs of people I have never met. I am grateful that they have posted their experiences and made me feel that I am in good company with others just trying to figure it all out.