Hello again, dA

I don't know if this will work, but I think it's something I have to try.

Ever since I stopped using dA (almost a year ago), I've pretty much stopped writing. I've had a couple of creative writing classes here and there that have required me to produce content, but once they're over I revert back to just not doing it. I think this has made my struggles with depression worse, to be blunt. I need to write again. I need to have a reason to, though, because the past couple of years have absolutely proven that my own motivation is not high enough to get it done. I need some sort of external pressure. If nothing else, dA makes me feel like I have an audience, and more importantly, peers to encourage, support, and share work with. I hope I'll still find some of that after such a long time away. 

Writing has always meant so much to me. I know others can relate. It taps into something in me that I have a hard time connecting with otherwise. I don't think it's something I'll ever pursue as a career, but it's something I need to work at to keep in my life. It makes me better.

I can't make any promises, but this feels like the right thing to do. If I can just get back into the swing of things, I think I'll be able to connect with that part of myself again.

I'm not going to sift through the thousands of messages and deviations that piled up in my inbox in my absence. If anyone wants to share something with me, please do. I'd love to read it, I just don't know where to start with my inbox.

Even writing this journal is a bit of a struggle - the words don't come naturally anymore, and I feel like I've lost touch with my "voice". But it'll only get worse if I don't try to make it better, so here goes nothing.

Hello again, dA. It's good to be back.