I feel fortunate for being able to work as a writer full-time. Gone are those days when I need to dress up and drive to work since I can do my job in pajamas now. While I used to skip all the significant occasions in the family, I manage to attend every single one of them. And whenever the economy takes a hit, and people risk losing their jobs, I continue to thrive in this stable writing world.
The thing is, I am typically chill when it comes to whatever the world is dealing with economically speaking. My usual reason is, “It does not affect me, so it should not concern me.” However, the fact that one type of virus is strong enough to kill its unsuspecting victims in a matter of days makes me worry and distracts my train of thoughts. The result is that I no longer feel 100% connected to the articles I submit.
When I confided to my mother about it, she said, “At least you still have an output. That is better than nothing.” Of course, she is correct, but she does not get that I feel contented when the words come out of my heart, not entirely from my head. Since I got distracted, it seemed like I turned to a mechanical version of myself.
In case you are dealing with similar problems due to COVID-19, here’s how you can write from the heart amid a pandemic.
Avoid Watching The News Too Much
The primary reason why the words seem forced is that you are supposed to write about a topic that’s not meant to be sad, but then your brain recalls all the lives lost due to the coronavirus. Instead of channeling positive vibes from your heart to the paper, you draw inspiration from what you have heard in the news.
The reality is that we can never unsee what we have already seen. However, for your career, you should try to avoid watching the news too much since that will only increase your worries. Doing so will not make you less sympathetic or insensitive to others. You merely need to get a hold on your emotions so that you can work properly.
Remember Why You Are Writing In The First Place
I have always wanted to become a writer even before I know how to form sentences together. It started when I was gifted my first book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I only knew textbooks at the time, which did not interest me. But when I got the fictional book, I was immediately sucked into a different world, and I loved every minute I spent in it. As I got older, I realized that it was possible because of how great the writing was, and so I aspired to learn how to write.
Ever since the pandemic started, I forgot why I wanted to write in the first place. Seeing the book on my shelf again—the same one I received over a decade ago—helped me remember that.
Final Thoughts
The pandemic clouded my judgment on how to use my writing skills. While I should be inspiring people to continue living their best life, I was using it to make them recall all the dark things that happened. Instead of helping others get away from their sadness, here I was, adding to their problems.
Luckily, I know better now. Writing is a powerful tool that can make or break someone’s morale. I choose the former, so writing from the heart is no longer a problem for me. I hope the same thing happens to you. Good luck!