08 Dec My Personal Challenge

My Personal Challenge

I set myself one big, personal goal before I came over to San Francisco. Aside from the goals that came with the general adjustment to a new country, finding housing etc. It was a goal that involved a passion for something that I love – writing.

I never saw myself taking my relationship with writing any further than its natural remedy of negotiating with the thoughts inside my head. Having always been fascinated with language and its ability to transcend the limitations of our solitary minds, I’ve never regarded myself as anything other than someone who simply enjoys words. However, in the lead up to this year abroad I began to wonder if I would ever have the confidence to get involved in spoken word events. I’ve always been obsessed with the musicality of spoken word, the way the performer fuels their message with an intensity of emotion as they spout their word-vomit to an open-mouthed audience. So I spent some time this past year, mulling over the thought that maybe one day I could have my own try.

In the most romanticised fashion, I came to the conclusion that there is no better place than San Francisco to broaden the horizons of my love of literature. A conversation with some good friends opened my eyes to the realisation that the only thing stopping myself from taking part in spoken words events was me. I found myself being confronted by questions from friends as to why I hadn’t done anything about this quest yet. As quality companions always should, they straightened my focus to the task of actually getting it done and achieving my goal.

Here is the result of my big personal challenge, the first ever spoken word piece I’ve shown to others:

Temporary Madness – My Female Body

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Challenge yourself to do something that scares you. It’s liberating to watch as you slowly work to free yourself from your own insecurities.