Every week, usually Friday or Saturday, I’ll sit down with my laptop and begin writing my opinion column for the week. Often, this is a difficult task for me. There is a wide variety of topics that I could cover, so narrowing down the topics is often the most difficult portion of the process. Then comes any research that might be needed if I want to cite any studies or reports. Then comes actually writing out my column, which, depending on how tired I already am, might take some time. At times I grow frustrated with trying to come up with an article for every week. Sometimes I even question why I keep writing, even when it gets difficult for me to keep coming up with new ideas.
Yet, even with all the frustration it sometimes causes me, I keep writing. It’s because writing is a cathartic process, especially since I get to vent my frustrations about a particular topic. Studies have shown a correlation between writing and improved moods and lower stress. Studies have concluded that writing about thoughts and feelings of negative events has a positive correlation on mood. I have often been angered and frustrated by sexism and racism, so having an outlet to vent my frustrations has been uplifting.
Writing opinion columns has also made me more knowledgeable about the world around me. Since I am always trying to find new topics to write my articles about, I am constantly looking at different news outlets. In doing so, I have been able to expand my knowledge about different issues that I would have never known about. Writing expands your mind and your ability to learn. By beginning to learn about one topic, writers are often also exposed to different topics.
But the best benefit of writing opinion articles is that I have been able to become more confident in myself. Although I have always been opinionated, I have always struggled with anxiety about public speaking. The best of part of writing opinion columns is that I can express my views and reach large numbers of people without making myself uncomfortable.
Of course, there have been times when my columns have had some backlash. I once criticized an online movement in a piece that got a lot of negative backlash from the movement’s members on Reddit. Yet, I overcame how embarrassed I was by the attention, and handling that criticism has made me more open to other criticisms. Being so harshly criticized has actually made me more comfortable with expressing my opinions.
Starting to share my opinions in the Technician has made me more comfortable speaking up in my day-to-day life. It has made me more willing to express myself and has given me a new opportunity to develop myself and my thoughts. Even though it can get frustrating, writing has become extremely beneficial to me.
