My 2025 Vocal Media Writing Resolutions

Looking back on 2024, I can honestly say I wasted many writing opportunities. Sure, the year began on a high note; my poetry was getting recognized on Medium and my creative confidence had every intention of splitting my time equally on Vocal Media. I was geared up to make this a year reflective of steady growth.

But it didn't happen.

My mental health took a heavy hit and I left Medium, threw away an accrued 5000 followers, and binned over 500 published works. And by binned, I mean not only my online presence but all of my saved data. While I quickly tossed away one platform and pretended I never existed there, I halted repeating the same actions with Vocal Media.

Why?

I am not entirely certain but in retrospect, I am glad I didn't follow through.

What I can say is that having four years under my belt here was an attachment I wasn't quite ready to part with despite my fingers' fury to erase all ties to another online writing community. Multiple times I came close but I didn't, knowing that when I onboarded Vocal Media in 2020 it was my solace during the pandemic and isolation.

So, the long pause began...

Vocal Media Challenges

Recently, two of Vocal's writing challenges have provided me with a new perspective, and an opportunity to reevaluate creative goals. The Soundtrack of Your Year and Echoes of the Year's Lessons prompted me to give pen and pad finally to my pain. Conflicting mental states made it a difficult process but I completed the mission with one entry into each challenge.

Then I realized something: I'd been cutting off my nose to spite my face.

Withholding deep embedded hurt was only hurting me more. Furthermore, I considered that silencing my previous enthusiasm to share words with readers could be potentially robbing someone else who is also hurting an opportunity to realize they are not alone- that someone out there relates.

Don't cut your nose off to spite your face

Mum's long-lost words from my childhood came rushing back upon completion of two of Vocal's most recent challenges and afforded a much-needed self-reevaluation.

Participating in the Soundtrack of Your Year Challenge provided me with a recorded music therapy session, a diary of sorts highlighting 2024 struggles.

But it's my entry in the Echoes of the Year's Lessons that really got under my skin and forced me to not only rethink personal events but face the reality of my fall from creativity.

Although my story aligns with 2024 events, it was written in 2022. Digging up that piece reminded me of past progress that has taken a backslide this year. Rereading old words was therapeutic but more importantly, the snapback to reality I so desperately needed.

Digging up old bones to create new life.

And if I had abandoned Vocal Media as initially intended, the words from my very own mouth would have been lost to me.

These words:

Through many tears and reflection, something amazing happened; I rediscovered the butterflies…

Not the pretty winged friends from my childhood, but the inner flutter one feels when excited. So often, we associate this with an encounter with true love.

My flutters, however, were not of the romantic sort, but instead, a reconnect to life, my life just as I am, perfectly content with myself.

Oh, what joy it was to find self-love and rekindle the creator’s spark buried under layers of guilt, shame, and self-loathing.

My reread hit me hard but I needed it and words of self took a deeper probing revealing an actionable plan for 2025.

I Will Write Like Myself

I can only be me, therefore, I should write like me.

Old reads reveal that I write my best when I allow myself vulnerability. Self-loathing and shame is a wardrobe I've worn a time or two. Writing helps me declutter that closet and allows outdated threads their proper landing place- in curbside trash.

To avoid the metaphorical "garbage picking" I need to keep writing, especially when feeling down.

Does this necessarily equate to high read counts, top-story accolades, or challenge wins?

NO

It's the equivalent of something much more important; self-help that helps others by acknowledging oneself first.

I have to give enough of a damn about myself if I ever honestly wish to inspire another person. True to its saying: a problem shared is a problem solved. Writing like myself without holding back and over-editing is the me, the real me I want to portray.

Someone out there will get me. Someone out there will relate. Someone out there will find solace in my willingness to share.

2025

• I will no longer cut my nose off to spite my face.
• I will write like myself

Community Support

Writers need readers- it's the name of the game. Without an audience, written words lie in wait collecting dust- a dinged up dormant door waiting and waiting for someone's eyes to rip it off its hinge.

Vocal Media encourages community support through reads and comments. I will be the first to admit my contribution has been lax. Excuses, no, I don't grant myself those, but I can rectify the matter.

Acknowledging my mental health, I will say that depression has held me back. Publishing content has been difficult enough; the idea of fully participating on the writing platform, promoting reciprocity has been the summation of a few reads, a couple of comments, then a retreat to my couch curled up in an afghan.

Motivation lacking, I spent much of 2024 on the sidelines.

Again, recent writing challenges have nudged me, encouraging me to come out from under the blanket, and quit hiding.

So, I reiterate; in 2025:

• I will stop cutting my nose off to spite my face
• I will write like myself

and

• I will become more involved in Vocal's writing community/reciprocity

Stepping Beyond My Comfort Zone

Looking back on 2024, I see how I committed to an unlikely comfort zone. My depression, although unappealing, became my stuck spot, warranting withdrawal to many bouts of nothingness. Wasted time, much of it, spent hiding under covers while the world passed me by.

Nothing changes when everything remains the same- TRUE- and I refuse to repeat this year when the new one begins, ten days and counting.

Admitting I have a problem has been the vital first step and now the work begins.

Flipping through my Vocal Media portfolio, I can safely say my writing has improved. Looking back to 2020 when I started writing online, I credit this platform with my creative evolution. I want to continue growing.

How?

By writing beyond my safe space of poetry and real-life stories and trying my hand at more fiction. Minimal experience in this area will make the task challenging, but no challenge is truly understood until the risk is taken.

By publishing utilizing the exclusive feature. Perhaps no one will subscribe and unlock the content, but I will never know if I do not make the effort. Maybe curiosity has gotten the best of me, but at least I am curious, which is much more than I can say of days not so long ago.

One last time, recent writing challenges have opened my eyes to the impact my mental health has had on the creator in me.

Introspection yields 2025 Vocal Media resolutions:

• I will no longer cut my nose off to spite my face
• I will write like myself
• I will engage in community/reciprocation

plus

• I will step beyond my comfort zone

Next year at this time, I will reflect again, revisiting old works. Next year I will once again embark on new resolutions. Finally, next year I will be proud of myself no matter what transpires- because I stuck with this platform even during my hardest of times.

...

Thanks for reading and thanks Vocal Media for being here!