Column #3: Diary of a Twenty-Something
Dearest readers,
I had a realization the other day. Before I delve into all that, let me start with this: when I was in my last semester of college, I read a book called Winter Birds, written by a local author. Weβd studied it in class and analyzed why the book was titled as so, and weβd come to the conclusion that the main character was in the βwinterβ of her lifeββa time when the bitter cold trapped her indoors and she was, essentially, settling into the idea of dying.
While Iβve found myself looking forward to the warm mornings and beach sand between my toes, Iβm trying not to forget what the cold months offered me. You know what I remembered? That at this time last year, I was wondering what life would hold for me a year from now. Well, here we are.
Dear diary: M. M. here.
Iβm speaking to my past self, who was stillββat 22ββfiguring out how to βtwentyβ (yeah, I just used βtwentyβ as a verb).
I figured it out. The answer? There is no answer. But I had a realization a couple weeks ago. It was about life. Iβd thought there was no answer to itββand thereβs notββbut that in itself was the conclusion to all my questions. Iβve spent the past three years trying to figure out how to move forward after college without feeling stagnant. Really, all that βmoving forwardβ was right under my nose the entire time.
The ground-breaking moment I keep talking about was this: I was driving my car and thinking about my career, my finances, and how I sustain myself. Then I had this beautiful thought.
Iβm a writer.
Iβm a full-time writer.
It was fulfilling to think that the thing Iβd grown up wanting to be was right here in the flesh as me, myself, and I. In the past month, Iβve had a successful Barnes&Noble book signing, Iβve seen my novel on shelves with that sticker that says βsigned edition,β and someone at my 9-5 journalism job said I added some pizzazz to the office. Also, Iβve got a new novel in the works with my publisher.
Iβve spent 23 years trying to pave my path to this moment in time; meanwhile, Iβve been sitting in a winter season considering whatβs next. Thereβs so much beauty in slowing down and seeing whatβs around you. There is always, always an opportunity for growth, even in the smallest of ways.
Readers, even though Iβm not experienced with full of wisdom to offer, I hope I can sometimes inspire. For those who are in their own personal winter season, hear me outββspring is just around the corner. This is a stunning time to rest, regroup indoors, find yourself, and get ready to blossom.
M.M. Cochran is the author of YA novel Between the Ocean and the Stars and has an educational background in English and creative writing. She has worked in the journalism industry, as well as the agenting and publishing industry, and she is currently a newsΒ reporter for The Greer Citizen. M.M. can be found collecting coffee mugs, slipping into an oversized sweater, and hanging out with her standard poodle. Her debut novel, Between the Ocean and the Stars, can be found online atΒ Amazon.comΒ orΒ Barnesandnoble.com. To keep up with her writing journey, follow her on Instagram @m.m.cochran_writer.
Featured image by Ellie Ellien on Unsplash