Every graduation speech I’ve ever heard includes some take on the definition of “commencement.” It’s not just the end of this chapter, they say. It’s the start of something new. They then add a quote like “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” and a slideshow with that Vitamin C song playing in the background.
That’s the thought randomly running through my mind as I sit down to write this, Day 100 of my 100 Weekday Writing Challenge.
I am relieved to be finished. I’m ready to take a break and catch my breath a bit.
But I’m also ready to figure out what’s next for my own personal writing habits.
What do I want to share?
How do I remain consistent?
What have I learned that I can make a part of my everyday life going forward?
Writing almost daily has helped keep me accountable.
I’ve learned so much about myself and what I value.
I’ve clarified what I believe and what I think is important.
I’m proud of so much of what I’ve written.
Yeah, there are definitely a few of the personal essays I may go back and revise, add to, or straight up delete down the road. But I’ve found the process of a daily writing habit to be so beneficial for me professionally, personally, and psychologically.
More than anything, I’m proud of myself for sticking with it. There have been some late nights to check the box and some times when I had to really force myself to examine my thoughts and heart to develop something I could write about.
I am tired.
And a bit tapped out of ideas to keep going.
But I’m also excited to think about what will challenge me next creatively.
I don’t know which direction I will go yet.
But I have several ideas for how I want to keep writing, keep sharing, keep thinking.
So maybe Vitamin C and every graduation speech I’ve ever heard had it right.
This isn’t the end.
It’s a commencement.
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us ‘round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town?
I keep, keep thinking that it’s not goodbye (It’s not goodbye)
Keep on thinking it’s a time to fly.
“Graduation (Friends Forever)” - Vitamin C