I'm back

Hi - I'm Riley, and it's been a while since I've done this writing thing. I miss it. Oh, how I  miss it.  I'm not sure why I let it go. Life? Is that too general for an excuse? Maybe not "life" per se. Busyness? Misplaced priorities? Fear? It's rooted somewhere...to something. I have kept journals starting from 2000. Writing has been a life force for me. Whether it's been shared or not, it's a craving I've denied satisfying and I keep returning to why? Here's a truth: I'm afraid I don't have anything worthwhile to say. I'm just another stay at home mom talking about her life. I don't want to believe that, but there's a voice in the back of my head that tells me that. And I made the mistake of listening.

I did something tonight. I commented on an Instagram post from @sheiscaptivating (if you don't follow her you should!). Her post said this, "I want to know. Into the depths your beautiful bones. I've never done this before, but comment below with a "❤️" and I will comment back an encouraging word for your dear heart tonight. I truly desire to connect with you all on a deeper level. Ready, set, GO!" My initial reaction was to pass right by it, but I stopped and reread it and thought, an encouraging word would actually be nice. Even from a stranger. So I did it. I left a heart. She responded with: @rileyhudiburgh Riley! you are a very talented writer! I really loved your last blog post ❤️

My last blog post was written in July! JULY! I reread it and felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. Why haven't I written a post since July? I've written since then, but nothing I deemed worthy. Worthy to who, I am not sure. I am fantastic at setting imaginary standards for myself.   Enough is enough. I am going to stop hiding from my writing. Whatever gets unearthed I will embrace with open arms. I do have a voice and I might not know what it has to say all of the time and it might sound like a bunch of rambling but I feel a yearning and I know something is trying to come out. We are each unique, each of our voices. No two are the same. You might not like mine, and that's ok.  You might resonate with it and if you do that's amazing! Either way, I need to  remember what passions truly make me me, and I know without a doubt writing is one of them.

So, to wrap this up and put a bow on it, THANK YOU @sheiscaptivating for writing a post that grabbed at my heart and for taking the time to leave a response. You made an unimaginable impact and I will forever be grateful.