I’ve always been an introvert, much to people’s dismay. I don’t mind being around people, but after a while, I feel suffocated.
When I was growing up, I was fortunate enough to travel to various places due to my father’s job. A normal person would find that exciting, and to some level it was. However, as a reserved person, it was hard. I was always subjected to some kind of exclusion. As a result, I became extremely sour about things.
As I grew older, I started understanding the world around me more. I realised my problems weren’t exclusively mine; others had faced them too. I started writing about them because I felt I had a story to tell, a story that mattered.
What motivated me was the growing awareness and tolerance of people. I had a conservative upbringing. There were things which I felt uncomfortable discussing and asking openly. These include issues of menstruation, gender roles and sexuality. Through writing, I could be open about these topics. When you have spent a lot of time being within yourself and then find others who believe in the same cause, it’s a huge relief.
Writing for social issues became a gateway to convey my understanding of the world and my opinions about issues that bother me, in ways I could not have otherwise. It became a channel for me to express my anger on things that mattered to me.
In today’s time, it is important for the youth to get together and speak up. They say people are stronger as a unit rather than as individuals. Hence, there is a need to stand up and voice our concerns on issues that are bothering us. It will not only bring them to the forefront but also highlight their magnitude.
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Featured image used for representative purposes only.