I don’t feel like I can do anything today. But I can breathe. And if I can breathe, I can do something. If I can breathe, I can lift a hand. I can speak. I can walk. I can feed myself.
I can write.
I can write.
I can write.
And I know for a fact that writing has the power to stir. Because I am an audience of this medium as much as I am the performer.
If I can breathe, I can write a book that barely sold ten copies. I can question my choice of vocation, but I can also wake up the next day and try again. I can let others dictate my voice because that pays the bills. I can lose interest in writing, too. Throw away all my dreams and just stop trying.
I can improve my diet, exercise more, spend time with my family, just so I could nurture the creativity that brought me to where I am today.
I can do so many things because I can still breathe. Most importantly, I can write this short piece. And perhaps, in a very weird way, the writing itself is me breathing. A breath I’ve been holding for a very long time.
Your Friendly Malaysian Writer 
Thank you for writing this. I felt so seen as I read this post. Recently I was beginning to question my self-worth and my choices of pursuing something in a direction that has to do with writing but self-doubt never fails to creep in the worst of times. And on some days it just becomes so difficult to even exist. But then I try to remind myself that living is worth it and breathing is worth it and choosing to live to write is also worth it. And even though the ages old performance anxiety is just a constant companion at this point, but this line: If I can breathe, I can write. It was a powerful reminder that resonated with me so much. This sentiment is just something so universal and fundamental to any writer and any artist. So thank you for the reminder. And you’re right. Writing is equivalent to breathing because it’s a core identity of who we are. Thank you so much once again. Have a great day! And best of luck in your writing endeavors!
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Whoa, I don’t think I can write a reply that rivals the amazing energy of yours, and I never expected such lovely words for a piece that I feel was sulky, but I guess that’s the only way we get to connect properly—by being vulnerable and transparent. Thank you once again for this!
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Thank you for writing this. I felt so seen as I read this post. Recently I was beginning to question my self-worth and my choices of pursuing something in a direction that has to do with writing but self-doubt never fails to creep in the worst of times. And on some days it just becomes so difficult to even exist. But then I try to remind myself that living is worth it and breathing is worth it and choosing to live to write is also worth it. And even though the ages old performance anxiety is just a constant companion at this point, but this line: If I can breathe, I can write. It was a powerful reminder that resonated with me so much. This sentiment is just something so universal and fundamental to any writer and any artist. So thank you for the reminder. And you’re right. Writing is equivalent to breathing because it’s a core identity of who we are. Thank you so much once again. Have a great day!
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I almost wish I didn’t understand what you are talking about.
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Here’s a 🫶 of solidarity!
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Such a moving blog post. Anyone who needs motivation should read this :)
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Felt bummed out when I wrote it so I’m glad it had this message!
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Awesome post Stuart👍
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Wow, great post!
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I feel the same…
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Keep on keeping on, kind stranger.
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If you can breathe, then you can feel pain. If you feel pain, then you are alive. Which means you can be healed, and achieve greater heights.
After you rest of course.
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It’s all part of the package, amirite? Been ages since we’ve chatted properly, perhaps when I’m more regular on the site!
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Yeah. I look forward to you getting some free time so you can write and post more here.
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This is very relatable. It is well, as long as we breathe
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Yup, so much potential lies in the fact that we’re still breathing, but also so much pain is possible at the same time.
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Love this Stuart! As long as there’s breath, there’s life…and hope.
Keep breathing my friend!
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That’s the only thing we can do sometimes, amirite? Great to see you as always, Michelle!
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“If I can breathe, then I can reach out and say hi.”
Hi Stuart. Hope you’ve been having a great year so far.
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Thanks for reaching out! Hope the same for you, even though we haven’t been chatting!
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And this piece is your exhale. Deep inhale and on we go. I always enjoy reading your writing, great to spot you on here.
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Love your words, especially since I’ve been away more often than not. Hope to be on more regularly, though!
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This is very engaging. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe either. That’s scary and I have to remind myself to stop and just concentrate on right now. I like your writing. Thanks for sharing it.
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Your kind words help brighten my day :)
And right now is all we have, so it makes sense to take stock of the moment, amirite? Harder said than done though.
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I always appreciate seeing your name pop up. Keep breathing. We’re here. We are reading your words even when it’s hard for you to find them. It’s all a learning curve.
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Appreciate your kind words! Have been feeling like a bum for neglecting this site for such a long time, and it’s so encouraging to log in to your comment :)
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