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Why I Write

I write because I want to understand. I write because I don’t understand. I write anyway.  I write to think. I write to feel.  I write because my body is mostly water.

I write to translate water. I write like I’m swimming. I write deeper and deeper to find my breath. I write to remember I never lost it. I write the silence of being underwater. I write rhythm. I write tides. I write endless grains of sand. I write to honor the twisting cypress trees and my grandmothers. I write because the moon doesn’t give up on me. I write because I don’t give up on me.

I write because I was a child with an imaginary friend. I write to remember her. I write to remember me. I write stories moving through my body. I write to hold them tighter. I write to let them go. 

I write because you didn’t see me. I write because you did. I write to hold your hand in the dark. I write a thousand tiny hearts in the margin of my notebook. 

I write to play.  I write to dance. I write because a song made me cry.

 I write because I’m afraid I’ll forget everything. I write because I’m afraid I’ll be forgotten. I write to leave my children pieces of me to hold onto when I’m gone.

 I write because the world is filled with contradictions. I write because I’m filled with contradictions.  

I write to understand how gravity and time change depending on who I stand beside. I write as one who has been hurt and who has hurt others. I write to understand forgiveness.

I write because my fingers and jaw need to unclench. I write because the wind told me to.

I write because of beautiful journals and smooth pens. I write because words cost nothing and I’m broke. I write lies. I write truths. I write as if you have been by my side the entire time.

I write because I hope you will like me. I write because it doesn’t matter if you do.

I write even though the words must be extracted with bloody fingertips and it hurts and I get angry. I write certain you will figure out I’m a fraud, but hoping you won’t care. I write because sometimes I touch something like spirit, like source, and it’s intoxicating. I write because we are all this vulnerable.

I write as one who learns and forgets over and over. I write as if I’m going to never stop. I write because someday I will.

I write because words, like me, are imperfect, and yet I still love them.

My good friend Neil challenged his readers to write a list of why they write. I turned 47 today and I decided to celebrate it by answering. I’d be honored if you took up his call and wrote your own list. Let me know if you do and thank you for reading.

119 thoughts on “Why I Write”

  2. Bridgette first of all Happy Birthday 🎈🎈❤️ l read what you write because l enjoy your words.l remember what you say and take notice of what they mean to me. I am glad that you are who you are, the things you write and photograph you take touch me.Thank you keep up the inspirational work ☺️

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    • Thank you for always being so supportive and for the birthday wishes. I always look forward to your thoughtful comments. It’s readers like you that make this space enjoyable to write in.

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  5. This one came straight out of that beautiful heart of ours, and I LOVE THAT!

    Happy Birthday Bridgette! I hope it’s turning out to be the best one that you’ve ever had yet today! ❤️💕

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    • It’s a very good reason to write, Michael. I suppose my list could be summed up the same, but I wanted to challenge myself to dig a bit deeper and see what comes out. Once I got started the list just sort of exploded out. Thank you for always supporting me and the wonderful birthday wishes!

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  8. This . . .

    “I write to honor the twisting cypress trees and my grandmothers. I write because the moon doesn’t give up on me. I write because I don’t give up on me.

    I write because I was a child with an imaginary friend. I write to remember her.”

    Yaaasss to all of this! And a very Happy Happy Happy Birthday to you!

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  10. Happy birthday!

    Good question… I write to keep memories alive, and to share memories and thoughts that I don’t usually share directly.

    Speaking of which, the story I’ve been working on since October I think I’m finally ready to share… I’ll post that on the other blog, and probably a link from my regular one too just to update everyone on the fact that I’m still alive, and that season 5 of DLTDGB will in fact happen, just probably not on as regular of a schedule as before.

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    • There really are so many reasons. I think I might try and write this out each year on my birthday as a matter of reflection. It will be interesting to see how the list changes. Thank you for the comment and the birthday wishes.

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  13. I hope your birthday was wonderful, Bridgette! 💞💞💞 I love your list of reasons….My gut response to that question would be I write because I have to. The words come and circle until I let them out onto paper or the screen.

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    • Thank you so much, Dawn, for the birthday wishes and for answering. Yes, I think that’s a great reason to write. I’m compelled to write too. If I stop writing I feel lost and a bit anxious. It’s really such a big part of who I am and I fully relate to the circling of words. Like a noisy bird, right? They won’t leave you alone until you reply.

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    • I pulled on your thread, Neil. 🙂

      Obviously there would be no post here without you, so thank you! Not only for challenging me to write this, but for inspiring me and cheering me on. You make me a better writer and, dare I say, a better person. How wonderful is that?

      I think I will write it every birthday as a form of reflection. How will my reasons change over time? Will they? I know my writing changes as I grow and change, so I’d expect this list to do the same.

      Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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  15. Happy Birthday , Bridgette 🎉.

    Write as one who learns and forgets over and over. I write as if I’m going to never stop. I write because someday I will.

    Very interesting written thought. I like.

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  32. Wonderful, inspiring reasons! Thank you so much for baring your soul. The sentence that resonates with me most today is:
    “I write because I hope you will like me. I write because it doesn’t matter if you do.”

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  44. That’s impressive and deep Bridgette, depths of thought way beyond anything I can come up with. Strangely, since I retired from full-time work, I’ve lost the urge to write or create, even though I have way more time. Maybe I only ever wrote because I had limited time and had the drive to make the most of it.

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    • Thank you for the kind words. That’s interesting that your creative drive has changed since retiring. Perhaps it’s just in flux and the urge will return when you get more settled into this new phase of your life.

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  46. Oh, Bridgette, what can I say that will give enough justice to this stunningly beautiful list of reasons why you write?

    Secondly, let me say an extremely belated happy birthday, and I’m glad it was a good one. I hope you were surrounded with love and blessings as you so deserve, dear friend.

    Your list of reasons why you write touched me deep into my soul. My eyes welled up with tears of emotion as I read every wonderful reason. I don’t think I shall ever forget this piece. I know I often say a particular piece of yours is my favourite so far, but this surpasses everything I could imagine. I could relate to so, so many of your lines; far too many to name one or two, even ten or twelve.

    You have the most incredible talent to reach into people’s hearts, and certainly, with mine, the feeling I get from reading each of your words and those words touching my heart and soul stays with me for ages. It’s wondrous that they do, and I am so grateful that you write so sensitively and honestly.

    When I read your work, it feels like I’m opening my childhood, polished and decorated musical box. As the lid opened, a little fairy with a lacy dress danced to the music, twirling around. It was pure magic for me back then, as is opening your blog to read your truly delightful words here.

    Thank you for sharing the reasons why you write with us all, dearest, dearest friend. With all my love to you and your beautiful family, Ellie Xxx ✨💝🤗💞

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    • Oh, Ellie! You’ve brought me to tears with this truly kind and thoughtful comment. I am seriously honored my words reached you and moved you in such a big way. This is part of the connection I always hope will happen. You are a big reason why writing is magic, because you read it with an open heart and share back so openly and beautifully. That music box analogy really touched me in a big way. Thank you for making my day brighter and for being so giving. Sending so much love to you and your family too.❤️

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