Prompt: Write about something you are beginning to understand.
Alright, the prompt for today, June 25th, 2026, is: Write about something you are beginning to understand.
I’ve been trying to read more lately, mostly on my Kobo because I can borrow e-books from the library. It’s convenient since I don’t actually go to the library all that often. Well, actually, we’ve been taking Emi there once a week for the last couple of weeks, and we’re hoping to make that more of a habit.
Anyway, I asked ChatGPT for some book recommendations based on my interests and the kind of work I’m trying to do. One area I’ve become increasingly curious about is the personal essay. I’ve always been interested in them, but lately I’ve been thinking that I’d really like to make a serious attempt at writing some myself.
Now that I’ve said that out loud, I hope it doesn’t somehow take away the motivation. I don’t know what the right word is—dissuade, disarm, quell—but sometimes naming a goal changes it.
One of the books ChatGPT suggested was The Book of Delights by Ross Gay. In the preface, he explains that on his forty-second birthday he decided that, for the next year, he would handwrite one short essay every day about something delightful he had noticed. He called them “essayettes.” I think there are 102 of them in the collection.
As I started reading, something struck me.
I kind of already do this.
Right now it’s an audio journal, but before that I was blogging. I write my morning pages. I write this reflection at the end of each day. I have a daily writing practice.
The difference is that it has never felt unique or novel or publishable.
But if I had approached it differently—if I had given it more structure or decided from the beginning that it was something I wanted to publish—it might have become exactly that.
At the same time, though, I don’t think I would have kept going.
The reason I’ve been able to stay consistent is because this is something I do for myself. It’s become part of my daily routine and my daily practice. My morning pages matter to me, and writing this reflection near the end of the day matters too. I suppose I bookend my days with writing.
I think that’s one of the things I’m beginning to understand about myself through these prompts.
I am doing something.
What I’m still trying to figure out is what keeps drawing me back—what continues to hold my attention and motivate me over the long term.
And I think I’m beginning to realize that the business side of all of this is the part I struggle with most.
I love the crafting, the woodworking, the experimenting, the exploration, and the process of making things.
What I don’t enjoy is turning it into a business.
The problem, of course, is that I want to make a living from it. I’d like to be self-sufficient. I don’t want to work for somebody else forever. I’d really like to work for myself and be able to support my family that way.
So there’s the tension.
If you want to buy something from me, let me know. That would certainly help.
You can also visit Letters Lounge, where you’ll find this prompt and many others.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this reflection—or any of the others. Feel free to leave a comment or share a link to your own blog or audio journal. I’ll be sure to check it out.
Alright, folks. We’ll talk tomorrow.
This transcript was lightly cleaned up with the help of AI to improve readability while preserving the original voice and intent of the recording.
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