Imperfect Writing

Last week, I was trying to choose a poem of mine to publish on this blog. I read multiple pages, but none were meeting my requirement: perfection. I wanted to find a poem that was flawless, relatable, breathtaking. Not a comma out of place nor a confusing line break to be found. 

Sadly, I realised very early: I had none. 

They were all in need of improvement and a lot of revision. 

What had I been thinking?

I had been thinking: I want my words to be relatable, vulnerable, creative, and honest. At the time I wrote them, I thought they were undiscovered masterpieces. 

But a few months later, I can declare they were not flawless perfection. But they were relatable. 

Last week, I forgot a pivotal truth: Writing is not about perfection. It’s about beauty, healing, change. Beautiful things are imperfect; sometimes that only adds to their beauty. 

Your voice deserves to be heard. Now. It will be imperfect. But that does not make it unworthy to be shared or less impactful. Words always have power, no matter where you are in your journey. 

Two years from now, your writing voice and style will be different. And so will your life. And your perspective. But that does not mean the words that are now, currently, burning in your heart, pleading to be set free, should remain unseen. They just might be extraordinary. They might bring someone hope, a brief glimpse of light. 

Learn as you go. Grow as you learn. 

Writing exercise: That story that has been frantically pounding on your heart, pleading to be written, write it down. Embrace the imperfections and keep writing anyway. 

Bonus: Your voice and words are important. Share your words with someone you trust. Let the words go and watch them spread hope. 

Gentle writing, 

Matilda