Thread by @VafeR

I am normally disinclined to publicly pat myself on the back. But today, I think it’s good.

So I’m going to! And it’s going to be a thread.

I left work an hour early, and bought myself a drink. I may buy another. 1/

I just sent off a draft for an essay I was invited to write — for a physical book!

This is not, objectively, earth-shattering. It is a short essay, 800 words, part of a larger anthology. Writers-who-write-things do this (and much more) every day, with discipline.

BUT!

2/

This is a contribution to a work by a publisher I adore, and I will be in the company of other writers of whom I am in legitimate awe.

When I was *much* younger, I wrote volumes — privately (in bookshelves full of journals) and publicly (for poetry slams).

3/

When I was a *bit* younger, I wrote professionally, I guess, in the context of being a UX Designer. Lots of times, unpaid — microcopy, or marketing copy, folded into a larger design project.

I was being paid for the design work, but sprinkled the words in, for free.

4/

a) it occurred to me today as I pressed SEND that this is the first time in my life I have ever been paid for *words*.

Images? ✔️
Strategy? ✔️
Design? ✔️

But words? No.

As of today, I am (in a tiny sense) a professional writer.

5/

Now: I’m not here to pat myself on my back for my writing.

I am unsharpened.

But it *is* important to note that today, at 40, I am doing something *new*. And that MATTERS.

Working on this small project for a few weeks has reminded me of something:

I LOVE LANGAUGE.

6/

I also love HUMANS, & therefore love STORIES, & (as an important part of storytelling) I love WORDS.

Writing feels RIGHT for me.

So, I have decided: this year, I will attend a workshop, or take a class, or do what I need to do to make this a more regular part of my life.

7/

I’m not talking about a career change. I have dedicated the last 20 years to design, and the last 10 to UX.

But will would it look like for me to pursue something I love, on the side, purely because I enjoy it?

We’ll find out.

8/

(hahhahhhh please ignore that I misspelled “LANGUAGE” in my previous tweet about language. Maybe it’s a metaphor)

Here’s the other thing that matters very much:

2.) I’m creating with, and among, and for, people whom I respect deeply.

9/

Without getting into the details, it’s been awhile since that was true. I have been a creative /functionary/ for a season now — and a lot of has to do with ethics, with values.

I am not daily pouring my *heart* into my work, because I can’t, and over time that takes a toll. 10/

It makes all the difference in the world feeling like your work is, in some small way, contributing to good: to justice, to inclusion, to creativity or hospitality or love, or whatever your own truly-held values may be.

11/

Obviously, this is not always possible. Sometimes, we just need to pay the bills.

But today? I am grateful. Grateful for this community, and for opportunity, and for revelation.

Cheers, friends. May peace & beauty find you, wherever you may be today.

🍸🌸

/fin

Am I allowed to Unroll my own thread? I think my Mom & Dad would appreciate this and they’re not on Twitter.

@threadreaderapp