Unleashing Your Desires: The Art of Writing and Self-Discovery

Unleashing Your Desires: The Art of Writing and Self-Discovery

When it comes to writing, there are certain principles that can guide us in crafting effective and compelling essays. One of the primary virtues of good academic essay writing is the combination of concision and clarity. To achieve this, Strunk and White, in their renowned work, emphasize the importance of making the paragraph the unit of composition. By treating each topic in a paragraph by itself, writers can aid the reader in grasping the overall structure and following a through line of argumentation.

To achieve coherence and maintain a clear purpose in each paragraph, it is recommended to begin with a topic sentence and end in conformity with the beginning. This allows the reader to understand the purpose of each paragraph from the onset and retain it in mind as they reach the conclusion. Furthermore, using the active voice helps to bring clarity to our writing, making the ideas and thoughts more accessible to the reader.

Another principle put forth by Strunk and White is to put statements in the positive form. By expressing ideas in a positive manner, we can avoid confusion and ensure a clearer message. Additionally, they advocate for the elimination of needless words. Adjectives, adverbs, and other unnecessary modifiers can often clutter our writing and dilute the impact of our message. By being mindful of this and omitting such words, we can create writing that is more concise and powerful.

Now, let's shift gears and explore the realm of desires and self-discovery. In her thought-provoking TEDx talk, Charlotte Fox Weber delves into the ways in which we hide our desires and the importance of facing them without flinching. Throughout life, we engage in a game of emotional hide and seek, often without realizing it. Society has socialized us to put on a show, to hide certain feelings, especially when it comes to our desires.

We often fear admitting to ourselves that we cannot fulfill every desire we have. Total fulfillment is not always possible, and accepting this reality can bring us a sense of comfort. However, there are desires that we are even more reluctant to acknowledge. We fear that if we admit to wanting something bad, like hurting another human being or desiring power, we will be seen as ghastly or morally corrupt.

Furthermore, we worry that if we admit to wanting to create something, we may not achieve it and face embarrassment. This fear of failure and judgment leads us to patrol and silence ourselves, holding back from truly exploring and embracing what we want out of life. It takes courage to face ourselves, to face our desires without judgment.

Take a moment to reflect on whether you have ever pretended to want something when deep down, you truly did not want it. We often feel guilty or ashamed if we express that we do not want something that others expect us to want. Similarly, we may pretend not to care about something because we fear looking like a loser or seeming foolish. These societal pressures can hinder our ability to truly connect with our desires.

In the pursuit of self-discovery, it is essential to explore the depths of our desires, even the dark and inappropriate ones. While it may seem thrilling for some, for others, the pressure to conform to societal expectations can cloud their true desires. It is important to note that acknowledging these desires does not mean acting upon them. Wanting to harm someone or engage in destructive behavior is never acceptable. However, there is liberation in admitting to ourselves that we have these thoughts, as it allows us to recognize that we are not at their mercy.

Just as a child playing hide and seek hopes someone will come find them, we, as adults, often long to be known and to connect with others. By embracing our desires, even the ones that may seem taboo or out of reach, we can begin to truly understand ourselves and find ways to connect with others who share similar passions and aspirations.

In conclusion, the principles of effective writing and the journey of self-discovery intersect in the realm of desires. By incorporating the virtues of concision and clarity in our writing, we can effectively convey our thoughts and ideas to the reader. Similarly, by facing our desires without judgment or fear, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and foster meaningful connections with others.

Three actionable advice to take away from this exploration are:

• 1. Practice structuring your writing with paragraphs as the unit of composition, ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and conclusion that aligns with the overall purpose.

• 2. Challenge yourself to use the active voice in your writing to bring clarity and directness to your ideas.

• 3. Reflect on your desires without judgment or fear, allowing yourself to explore even the seemingly inappropriate or out-of-reach desires, as this can lead to greater self-discovery and connection with others.

In the journey of writing and self-discovery, embracing our desires and expressing ourselves authentically is a powerful step towards personal growth and fulfillment.