Keep Your Metrics — I’ll Keep My Voice
You Don’t Need to Be a Star to Sing — Or Write
When I was twelve years old, I wanted to join the choir because I loved singing- I don’t think I was great at singing, but I loved to sing. It brought out something in me, and I felt alive after singing loudly with passion on the balcony of my house.
I used to have images of me singing in a concert, like Maria Carrie or some famous singer, and everyone was clapping — the mood around was electrifying. I also wanted to join the choir because all the popular girls in school -my frenemies were in the choir, and I wanted to be with them and show them that I was as good as them.
Luck had it that day when I went for the choir practice at 5 p.m., Mrs E, the choirmaster, decided that too many kids wanted to join the choir, and she wanted to spruce them up. So she told all the new joiners and those she thought weren’t good at singing to sing a solo in front of the group. I was one of the new joiners.
My heart sank because I was a shy and self-conscious child. I wasn't used to the spotlight, and here I was with all the popular girls who were already in the choir. I did what I could best, and then the other new joiners did their part. Then Mrs. E sat in her judgment seat and told me I did not ‘sing’ well and could not join the choir. I walked out crushed, defeated, and ashamed. But I put on a brave face and told everyone I didn’t get into the choir because I couldn’t sing well.
I’m not 12 anymore, and I know I can always be a background singer in any choir today. I can also train to become a singer. If you want something, you must be willing to move heaven and earth to get it done. But it doesn’t make a difference today because I realised that singing wasn’t for me.
I still sing along with the same passion, even if I’m out of tune, though I always try to drown out my voice or entangle it with others. I never want my voice to stand out so the world knows I’m not a great singer. It wasn’t that incident that clouded my decision. I never stop myself from singing, but what that incident stole from me is the wholehearted singing without giving a damn, unapologetically owning my voice. It stole the zing out of my voice.
I no longer care about it.
But writing is a different ball game- it riles me up when writers or creatives put other writers or creatives down, especially for sales.
The internet is inundated with experts telling others their writing is not good or worthy. What is their metric for coming to their conclusion? Likes, impressions, followers, subscribers, money, eyeballs, or other hoops we’re supposed to jump to make our writing ‘ stand out and be worthy.’ Another variation of this is the sneering of writing as a hobby. That happens mostly in blogging circles, and it annoys me as well.
I stopped writing for 20 years because I didn’t have time, had too much on my plate, and wanted to be in an industry that paid for my lifestyle.
Ask any woman working in the corporate world, raising kids, and having the time to write: it’s a luxury not many can afford. I started writing again after suffering burnout and reached a point where I needed writing to resuscitate me back into the world of the living (metaphorically speaking).
We all have hobbies and things we love — some of us like reading, writing, painting, pottery, dancing, and singing. Many don’t have time to carve out for these simple pleasures as we enter adulthood. Adult life can be brutal, and making time for our hobbies and crafts is a luxury few can afford.
Hobbies have a profoundly positive impact on our mental and emotional health and are among the most underrated aspects of our lives. None of my corporate friends read, write, or dance regularly or religiously, as they’d do anything else. Hobbies are considered frivolous and relegated to the unnecessary, or, for the lucky few, after we finish other important work. However, hobbies encourage us to think outside the box and shape our worldview in different ways.
In such a scenario, I advise everyone to follow their hobbies, even if it's just for five minutes a day, without worrying about whether they turn out great or not.
Why must we write?
We must write because our writing is a gift to the world- the gift of our unique voice and expression. It doesn’t have to be refined, polished, or outright fabulous. It doesn’t have to adhere to some guru or expert’s road map-it is our unique voice, the stamp and seal of our authentic self.
Initially, you may want to take it slow, hide it, and keep it private, but at some point, you must make it visible to the world. So, until you feel comfortable bringing it to light or making it visible, it's okay to stay small, experiment, play around, and learn the ropes. As long as you continue to write, you are winning- don’t let anyone or anything else convince you otherwise.
We write and pursue our art for ourselves. I write for myself because it benefits me and helps me grow. It teaches me things I didn’t know about myself, helps me understand others, and helps make my world a better place. So even if it doesn’t earn me anything, the rewards that I reap are already met. I hardly make a dime from my writing.
I think we have enough people telling us that writing and art are silly and foolish, so we should not waste time on them. In a world that constantly makes us feel that our work and effort are less than adequate, I’d like to be a rebel and lift others and encourage them instead of bringing them down.
Historically, as creatives, we have been lucky. It’s a time when many people are getting access to play with their creative sides. It’s a pivotal moment where things have shifted, thanks to the internet. Anyone can give it a shot and decide if it’s for them at an almost affordable cost, so we must grab the opportunity with both hands.
All written work, art forms, and hobbies don’t have to be applauded, validated, or rewarded by money or its earning power. Everything else is corrupted by that veil.
Can we keep art out of it?
It doesn’t mean I don’t want artists to earn money — I want them to wield money. But I think there’s a time and place for everything.
If we cut the knees of every budding writer, we’ll have no writers coming forward with their work. In a world deprived of its artistic wonder, we must encourage and support others, rather than bringing them down; even as a sales strategy, it is beneath the belt.
Fellow writers: Follow people, but don’t be blind. What people offer you is just a road map. The point of being a writer is to find your unique voice, not mindlessly follow anyone. If you follow some expert guidance, you are a follower, not a leader. You have not yet unleashed your authenticity and found your voice; you are merely copying someone else’s truth and path.
There will be a point when you will make money, wield it, and get the attention you deserve. Until then, follow your heart and do what feels right. Stay consistent in the game, and you can’t get it wrong.
Originally written for Medium