Unearthing Your Voice: How Writing Can Lead You to the Light

October 14, 2024

Do you have something you want to say, but aren't quite sure how to put it into words that make any sense? Or maybe you're too concerned about how the person you want to talk to will react. So you keep it to yourself.

You tell yourself it's not that important anyway. You don't need to voice all your ideas and thoughts. Surely, it's ok to keep some things to yourself, to have some privacy. To have some things that don't need to be put into words.

But this thing, this idea you're not sure how to verbalize, this project you're scared to tell a loved one about, it keeps nagging at you. It starts to feel like you're keeping a secret, hiding your idea away from the world instead of giving it a chance to grow and develop. A seed can start to sprout in the darkness, but it eventually needs sunlight to grow to its full potential.

There's a time for darkness. A time to keep things close to your heart, to give yourself and your idea a stable and safe space to get started. To shelter it from the harsher elements above ground. The wind, the rain, the wildlife. The harshness of other people's opinions, criticisms, ideas that don't align with you and what you're aiming for.

But at some point, the ideas worth pursuing, need to come into the light. To risk the elements.

A close‑up of a small green sprout emerging from dark soil in a neatly cultivated field. Light shines down on the sprout, creating a soft glow around its leaves. Behind it, rows of mature green plants stretch into the distance.

But how do you come out of the dark? You've grown accustomed to its protection.

One idea is to take some time to put your idea into words, just for yourself. To spend 20 minutes free writing, allowing your words to be messy, to not make sense. To express your own worries and fears as well as your desires and lofty aspirations. Or perhaps to write a letter to the person you're hesitant to share your idea with. You can decide later whether to actually send the letter or not.

A next step could be to share your writing with someone you feel would be supportive. Or to talk to them about it once you've fleshed it out enough. You don't need to have all the details down. You can share your idea and let the person know it's still being developed. That you aren't looking for advice at this point. You just want to share your idea with someone safe.

Tomorrow's event is to start this process. Come with an idea that feels a bit squishy, not fully formed. Or something you've been wanting to say, but just can't seem to say it. We'll spend 20 minutes writing on our own, laying as much out as we can.

Then you'll be invited to share what you're willing to share. To let other people in on your dream or your idea in a safe and supportive space. And if you're not quite ready to share with the group, that's perfectly fine. You can simply listen to others and lend your support.

As we embark on this journey, remember the sprouting seed that pushes through the darkness towards the light. It does not remain hidden forever, but takes a chance to grow, to reach for the sun, and to blossom into something beautiful. Trust in your own growth, and let your writing be the nourishment that helps your ideas flourish.

◈ Originally written during IU 1.0, a small experimental version of the community that included shared posts, comments, and regular weekly gatherings.

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