THE UNSEEN WEIGHT: What makes you tired?
Every day, you wake up to fulfill a certain purpose and set a certain goal you want to accomplish. You believe that if you become consistent, one day you’ll live that magical life you’ve been aiming for. But you need to be honest, most days, you become tired and relentless. If that happens, you never know where to start and when to do work again, especially when that level of exhaustion comes from the things that aren’t even visible.
So, I’m going to ask you: what makes you tired?
What makes you tired?
“I’m already tired with the impression that as a writer who already published a book, I shouldn’t be running out of ideas.”
Earlier this month, right after my first ever magazine campaign, I no longer have any idea what comes next into my life as a writer or what comes next for the stories I’m about to write.
It’s true. I get positive feedback from my published stories. I receive private messages on my social media accounts from people I’m not closely related to. They express how happy they are because someone like me speaks for them; Someone like me wrote something that resonates with their lives and with their pains.
Others were praising my body of work, asking me how it was possible for someone who’s still studying to do this kind of work?
The truth is, these fleeting praises aren’t enough, I want an everlasting result.
I just don’t want to become this type of writer who gains more praise than creating a macro effect with a life-changing impact even just to one person, because I am more aware than these praises, which are just ephemeral. They will not last, like bubbles you enjoyed watching before they disappear.
TAKING A SPLASH
I know that I’m not just a “How to…” writer, teaching everyone what to do and how to do something that could help them mend their broken hearts.
I know what my capabilities are, and I am more than just these ideas and societal expectations.
I don’t want to say upfront that I can be this kind of writer who’s not afraid to take big swings, and dares to find good and bigger stories to tell. Moreover, I would rather be silent while taking the process, and just let the result speak more loudly on my behalf.
TIRED OF WHAT?
I am already so tired of saying YES all the time because of the fear that maybe someone will misunderstand me if I choose to say NO.
This week, I never pitched any topic because I really don’t like the ideas flowing through my mind. I know to myself that I don’t want to start writing a piece that doesn’t correspond to what I love and feel.
In all honesty, I want something where I can say I already experienced it, I already felt it once, I already immersed myself into that kind of situation. I want reality.
I should have written an article about a Korean series rather than this one, but doing a review article isn’t my brand as a writer. If I do accept it, and they’ll publish that story, I just feel like that piece is not me, it’s just for work. I don’t want to do something because it’s just part of my work. I want to do something because I love doing it. For me, there’s a huge difference between the two.
Even if it’s difficult, I weigh it down before taking a splash. Somehow, I really know what to choose, I’m just worried about the other side. At that same moment, where I feel like I’m already idling, and frustrated, I accidentally saw one photo from the #imtiredproject on my Instagram’s Explore feed. From that point, I said, “Okay… I already have a subject for my story. I’m not doing the review article, I will do this.”
#theimtiredproject
It’s pure serendipity seeing the #imtiredproject earlier this week. As a result, I am re-introducing the photos that have already been taken a few years ago.
As I discover the backstories of these powerful photos, I found out that the project aims to highlight the lasting impact of everyday micro-aggressions, assumptions & stereotypes and pull back the layers of discrimination to reveal thoughts and feelings that aren’t usually voiced through fear of backlash and lack of being relatable.
Since its inception in July 2015, the UK-based project has effectively initiated a social debate around daily prejudices faced by people from all walks of life.
It has succeeded in reaching over 2 million people, spanning 45 countries, with each photo reaching an average of 23,000 people.
The New York Times, Huffington Post, AFROPUNK, TeenVogue, and Buzzfeed also featured the project. And now, for the first time in the Philippines, Village Pipol Magazine is featuring this project that impacted millions of lives across the globe.
I AM GOING TO STOP HERE AND JUST LET EACH PHOTO SUM UP THE WHOLE STORY
The pain and the unseen weight inside our hearts became the byproducts of this judgmental and cruel world. In this story, and from the photos being featured, I hope that somebody is reminded once again that we are more than just what you ascertain at first glance. So, better look again.
