Be open to learning new things. Find a passion and encourage it to grow through learning about it. The more I learn about writing, the more I love doing it. I will admit that I was scared to attend the course New Media: Writing and Publishing offered at SNHU (online) because it would force me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself in ways I didn’t think I was ready for yet. Let me tell you, I have been experiencing some serious anxiety while waiting for assignments to be graded and posted. I feel that if I did well on the assignment, then I will do well after the course is over. Here is the dilemma with that way of thinking: those who read my blog (and eventually my novels) are not my professors. I can’t even imagine being graded by my readers individually. That would be enough to cause many writers to stop writing.
I am a part-time college student in her 40s with a full house and a fuller schedule. This path is not for everyone. It’s been a slow-going process, earning my degree, writing my novels, raising my children, making memories, and being present in life, but I would not change a thing. Every challenge has been worth it. I have learned a great deal on this path. Not all of those lessons have been in one course or another either. That is why I encourage others to keep learning. You do not have to have to attend college to continue your education. Many resources are available for free. Life is full of lessons and many we have to attempt to learn on repeat.
I’m not just talking about career-related learning. Nor about how to be a proper adult who pays the bills, votes, and does their taxes. I’m talking about other lessons in life. Learn what makes your children laugh. Learn what brings joy to your home. Learn a new hobby and learn how to put your own twist on it. You don’t have to become a pro at everything. Just be open to possibilities and open to learning more. That is what I did when I enrolled in New Media: Writing and Publishing. I opened my mind to the possibilities. Is it still scary? Yes. But the ride I’m on has more possibilities than I can imagine and I am looking forward to the adventure. . .