“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.” – Ada Louise
As the title of this post suggests, my summer will soon be coming to a close. Yes, I’ll be the back in the dorms doing the soul crushing work laid out by my sometimes fascinating, but always ruthless professors.
Part of me is excited to return to college, but part of me really doesn’t want this summer to end. While the summer days have been quite tame in terms of the things I’m actually doing (reading, social media, listening to music, playing video games for an half hour, and writing blog drafts), I like the solitude of the suburbs. And with this solitude comes more time to think and put down ideas.
However, my summer break is slowing detracting from the source of all my writing material – life.
Though I do love writing about personal development, how can I actually develop myself if I’m just stuck at home all day? If I don’t have anymore of these experiences, what can I write about?
To be honest, I’m surprised I’ve come this far with writing on the blog. That has to be some sort of accomplishment.
But what surprises me the most is that I actually created a blog that people like. I thought that for someone like me, this was impossible. Last year, when I told my housemates the idea for my blog, some of them said to me “Who’s going to read what you write? You write like sh**!” Hearing those words, I began to doubt myself and think that maybe I should give up. Maybe my efforts weren”t worth the criticism.
But then I looked at bloggers who’ve been at it for years. I saw the ones who succeeded, the ones who made better incomes and new lifestyles from their blogs. I read their stories and was touched by their beginnings. I soon learned that some of their stories weren’t so different from mine. In fact, some of their stories were much worse. Most notably, Jonathan Mead and his story of change - it opened my eyes.
You can have the entire world against you. All of the people who once stood beside you can abandon you. You can have no prospects and seemingly no hope. But if you have the will – the burning desire to change yourself – you can live your dreams.
Well, this pretty much sums up my summer. Anyway, starting September 28th, my posting schedule of Mondays and Thursdays will resume. Sure, I’ll be writing less, but I’ll be experiencing more.
I’d like to thank all of my subscribers, mentors, readers, and friends. Many of you have shown me a world of happiness and support that I can’t even begin to describe.
“We thought a life, by analogy, was a journey with a pilgrimage , which had a serious purpose at the end, and the thing was to get to that end. Success, or whatever it is, or maybe heaven after you’re dead…but we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing or dance while the music was being played.” – Alan Watts
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photo credit: Kansas Poetry (Patrick)
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Hi John,
This is a very touching post. And it touches a special place in my heart cause i am new to blogging and i feel just like you. The support and love this lovely community of bloggers who are now friends give us is just breathtaking and priceless.
As for summer break being over …don’t worry, you’re an excellent writer and you writing has a certain calm to it…which draws me in from the very first line. So will visit as and when you post. And believe me once you start living in your dorm again…you will see that you have a lot more to write about and share with us.
I am waiting to read all about your new adventures.
Great article!
Truly from the heart.
You must remember you are running a blog it isn’t the other way around.
Looking forward to your articles.
Congrats on the progress you’ve made. I’ve enjoyed your posts. I’ve been living an endless summer. The joys of living in SoCal
Great post! Write less, experience more — love it!
Awww… John! You don’t write like sh**… or if you do, that’s what we love about you! You are very authentic, down to earth, approachable, and easy to connect with. You will go FAR with this blogging thing, if you decide you want to.
I love this part:
Though I do love writing about personal development, how can I actually develop myself if I’m just stuck at home all day? If I don’t have anymore of these experiences, what can I write about?
That’s EXACTLY how I got to feeling about my blog. I was telling people to get out and live their lives, and value their relationships, but spending all my time hunched over my laptop, missing out on life. If you have to choose between the two, choose life. But most likely, you’ll settle on a balance that works for you.
PS: I wish I was about to get back to school… I LOVED my college years!
Hey John, sounds like a very nice balance between living and sharing. It’s so easy to get all caught up in a new venture, but things have a way of seeking balance over time. I really enjoy your writing and having you do a guest post was a very positive experience all the way around. I feel that you have what it takes to succeed at anything you focus on and I look forward watching that happen.
Hi John,
What a wonderful post and the quotes…inspiring. I like that you are out living life and will report back to us what’s going on. I didn’t begin college until i was nearly 30 but enjoyed every second of it. I felt like I was 20 and spent 5 months at different times in Mexico to become fluent in Spanish.
Go and enjoy. Your writing witll only improve as you learn. That means there’s one way for you to go..up!
John,
Tell your housemates to eat sh**! .. sorry, but I don’t like ‘haters’. Keep up the good articles and most importantly enjoy life!
Enjoy your time in college. You have a wonderful blog here and it has brought me tons of joy. its has allowed me to think outside of the box creatively instead of following the crowd.
The end of the summer is near , but your fire should keep burning.
Congratulations on your progress. The first few months of blogging is difficult but it seems like you have gotten into the swing of things.
I look forward to reading more from you.
@Zeenat – Thank you so much Zeenat. Your words inspire me just as much as mine inspire you. My experiences in college will only make my writing stronger and no doubt I’ll enlighten you guys on every useful detail. I hope that you reach great heights with your new blog
@Bunny – Exactly
I run my blog and will not let it run me. Hope to see you around the blog soon too.
@Srivinas – SoCal… never been but I’d like to someday. Maybe you can teach me surfing
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.
@Dani – Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
@Lisis – (blushing) I feel like I don’t deserve any of your compliments ha ha. Thanks, Lisis
Oh yes, it’s time for me to experience college once again. I want to live life to the fullest and inspire people with the blog at the same time.
I’m sure your college years were complete and utter blast! They don’t call them some of the best years of your life for nothing.
@Jonathan W. – Hey Jonathan! Nice to see you here.
The guest post I had on your blog was one of the best experiences I’ve had with guest posting. We were all just sharing ideas and experiences – it was awesome. On some of the other blogs I’ve guest posted on, I’ve had to take care of the conversation myself.
I hope to do my best and truly obtain my aim in life one day. Thank you.
@Tess – You rock so hard Tess. 5 months in Mexico to learn Spanish? Most people would just order audio tapes and hope for the best. But of course, you’re not like most people
I’ll definitely keep everyone updated and I’ll do my best to keep going up.
@Dana – ha ha your comment is really awesome. Don’t worry I’ll tell em
I’ll always remember this. Thanks for your support!
@Jonathan F. – I’m so happy you enjoy my writing. Hearing that I’ve made an impact on you is what really makes me happy.
And don’t worry -my will of fire will definitely keep burning.
@Carla – Thanks Carla! Yes, I can safely say that I’ve broken the “blog” barrier.
I’ll check out your blog. Stay tuned!
I am always impressed that so much wisdom can come at a young age. It really is a special gift. You see so many people just stumbling through life not even attempting to focus or figure out many of the insights that you have posted on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Your voice is truly authentic and needed in this space. Have a great year and I look forward to hearing about the insights you gain from your upcoming experiences.
@alternaview – ha ha you give me too much credit. I don’t even think wisdom and me are in the same league. But thanks for your kindness. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on all of the trials and tribulations the journey to owning my life entails. Again, thanks so much
@Walter – Nice to see you again Walter. No worries on staying true to myself – life has taught me that being yourself is the best way to connect. There’s no point in following what you don’t like. Thanks for your input
You are wise to follow your heart. Many attempts have failed because they measure themselves according to the opinion of others. I hope that when you start your college you will do more in sharing your experiences.
Hey John.
In the part where you said your housemate asked you “who’s going to read what you write?”, it reminded me of the same thing one person said when I was starting my site. I didn’t have any doubts because of the loads of other people who said I had to start putting my ideas out there so others could benefit, but I can relate to hearing that line. You can also see it like the person who says that is thinking to themselves “I don’t think others would read my writing/ideas, so why would they read his, as he is surely not better at me in those aspects?”
Also, that point about experiences versus describing them is great and is the reason why this is such a positive outlet, because sooner or later it forces you to bring the action if you want to continue. A person writing about celebrities will not feel any pressure from their audience/self to develop themselves as time goes on, but a person writing about self-development certainly will.
Hey John,
All the folks who commented on this post are your virtual roommates and the kind you should be calling your friends. Plus, we won’t eat your food!
Keep it up!