no longer left untold

On a wooden nightstand sits a neon yellow Moleskin notebook, which seems out of the ordinary among some more minimal decorations. For a few months, this notebook was a constant amidst new beginnings, unexpected moments, and occasional challenges. Thoughts, to-do lists, doodles, and quotes stain its pages, wanting to be discovered yet limited to the discretion of the user.

Could you blame her, though? This notebook was her companion, holding onto stories, ideas, and feelings. Perhaps she was selfish, wanting to keep these precious memories to herself. Maybe she didn’t want to reveal those moments when she felt vulnerable, angry, frustrated, and confused. Maybe she was hesitant because she feared readers would judge her experiences. Maybe she felt that her own stories didn’t hold as much value as that of known travel writers, major publications, or existing bloggers. Or maybe it was as simple as having a severe case of “writer’s block” and not being able to find a cure.

She trusted that her photos could be enough to illustrate those few months. But then she realized she only shared a total of 35 photos among the thousands stored on her phone, which can only be appreciated if described in great detail. After all, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but what good are those words if they remain in a gallery, randomly placed and eventually forgotten.

She then glances at her notebook and reads through previous entries, finding comfort among the pages. Those static images were no match for the actual anecdotes she preserved in this small notebook. It's a little overwhelming, but she musters up some courage, grabs a cup of coffee, and gets to work.

This is her story - no longer left untold.

Until next time,

n.t.

P.S. In the meantime, hold her accountable and make sure she's writing. Some days she forgets that she enjoys the process, and other days she's itching to grab a pen to jot down her thoughts. Hopefully, the coming days encourage her to choose the latter.