Write Something, Damn Your "Guarantees"
They're dumb. Just write, Private Joker.
Got a question or message for "Hey Dad"? Submit it anonymously!
I understand the importance of privacy and want to make it easy for you to reach out. You can submit your questions or messages completely anonymously using this form. Just click the link below. I look forward to hearing from you!
Submit Your Anonymous Message Here
It Can Be Difficult
So what are you waiting for?
Oh, you don’t have any ideas. That’s a good reason. Really, it is.
But why don’t you have any ideas?
You don’t know. That’s normal. It’s hard to know sometimes. Real introspection is required. Some peace is required, at least. Just try and keep that question at the forefront for a time, you’ll find the answer.
Or rather, the answer will find you. Also, why are you writing as though you’re talking to yourself, Dad?
Oh, you’re less of an authoritarian when you try and see yourself as a person rather than relying on some internal, personal thought process. Got it. That makes sense to me. Also, you’re used to writing as though you’re writing to your children.
Might I add, Dad, that you have some pretty wonderful children. Good job.
Oh, you are writing now?
That’s good! Good job! Now, just keep going. Yeah, sometimes it’s a little weird at first, but keep writing, it’ll get better as you go. Often it will take a while, especially if the hiatus you took was lengthy.
Oh it was?
Then you’re in for a bit of work, but just buckle down and trust in yourself. If you’re anything like me that is the hardest part. It isn’t easy to trust yourself.
You keep thinking of all the times you let yourself down and failed?
That’s normal. Don’t let it stop you.
My Dad’s Gone Crazy
Well, that was fun, ya’ll. I had to do something to get back in the saddle. After all, I can’t just QUIT. That’s lame.
I figured that MAYBE, just MAYBE I could use this time as another real-time example of life and what we can do to live it in a way that won’t make us hate looking back at it later.
You know, NO RAGERTS. Or regrets, for those normal people. So now it’s the Dad is going to lecture kinda time. We’ll see how this goes.
And I’m leaving everything that has lead up to the “actual writing” or whatever you would call the main portion I would normally keep and polish up. I also don’t plan on polishing anything up.
Which I apologize for. I understand half-baked writing and whatnot is undesirable and not generally what people sign up to get notifications for, but in my head this makes sense. Part of life is simply getting back on the horse.
Or the dragon, because dragons are cool.
So why not provide an example?
So this is an example of how you start healing, a little bit at a time.
By being imperfect.
Rambling Lecture… To Myself
Ah, returning to something you love after a long absence, is it? A familiar challenge. You stand at the edge of something you know you enjoy, yet feel the pull of uncertainty—wondering if it will still be the same, if you will still be you in that space.
It’s a bit like trying to jump back onto a dragon’s back after dismounting for far too long, and you’re wondering whether you still have the grace, the strength, or—perhaps most unsettling of all—the heart. But, ah, you’re already here, staring at that dragon, reins in hand. The hardest part, I assure you, is behind you.
What you’ve written speaks to the subtle battle we all face: the one between the self that longs to move and the self that demands guarantees. "Do I still have it? Do I still deserve this?"
The truth? Those answers will only ever come after you begin again.
Start where you are, not where you left off. The person who last engaged with that cherished activity is a different one from the person standing before it now. It’s not about recreating the same flow you once had, but rather forging a new one—one that belongs to this version of yourself.
When we step back into something familiar after a long break, the temptation is to expect the same rhythm, the same ease, as if no time has passed. But time has passed, hasn't it? And that's the beautiful part.
You are bringing new perspectives, new scars, new growth. Imagine it as refining a sword—every moment you spend away from the grindstone, you accumulate the raw material that will eventually make the blade sharper, stronger. But you must be willing to return to the stone.
As for the doubts—the failures that may haunt your mind? Let them. They are not obstacles but old companions, offering wisdom. Failure is a teacher that refuses to whisper.
And trust… well, trusting oneself is much like mastering a skill: elusive at first, but the more you practice, the more natural it becomes. Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to pick up an old tool after setting it down for a while, don’t hesitate to test your skills, your craft, your passion.
You already started writing, didn't you? The ink is flowing again. Perhaps a little awkward at first, but the ink is moving nonetheless. That's all that matters. Soon enough, the flow will return, but differently, deeper, more authentic.
You’re not stepping into the same river twice, my friend. You’re walking into a river that has become fuller from the rains of experience. Dive in. See where it takes you.
Found value in these words? Want to dive deeper into the raw, unfiltered truths of life as seen through a father's eyes?
🌟 Join the "Dad Explains" family today! Don’t Forget to share!🌟
Subscribe for free to get full access to our heartfelt, gritty, and honest explorations of life's ups and downs. Every subscription, free or paid, is a cherished support in our journey. For those who choose to contribute, know that your paid subscriptions play a vital role in keeping the quality high, helping cover costs for essential tools like Adobe and other editing software.
But more than that, your support keeps the spirit of "Dad Explains" alive and thriving, ensuring that every story, every lesson, and every piece of dad wisdom reaches you in its most authentic and polished form.
Got questions or thoughts to share? Feel free to drop a comment below or send me an email at dad@dadexplains.life. Your insights, stories, and questions are what make this community a rich tapestry of shared experiences and wisdom. Let's keep the conversation going!
Subscribe today and be a part of a community where every voice matters, every story counts, and every fatherly piece of advice is a step towards understanding the complexities of life.