Centennial Men

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget the beauty and significance of human connection. I really miss my old friends, and even though I don't hate this life, I do wish I could go back sometimes. This is about two old friends that Erin overhears at the coffee shop, and it's called Centennial Men.

Centennial Men

A colorful array of empty tables spread across a delightful patio, surrounded by hundreds of empty chairs and a draft that barely touches the nose of this lovely sun-soaked afternoon.

And still, a big and burly grayed man insists on cracking the serenity. No other soul on the horizon, and still, the wool sock and wrangler jean wearing man has the audacity to plop his tuna salad right next goddamn door! Blasphemy!! Millions of tables, and I am the one with a rotting nose as he gnaws slowly at his feast.

Another centennial man limps over and exclaims “I was 71 yesterday, and now I am 72!”

“Oh man, Happy Birthday!” says the tunaman.

“Bob Marley’s birthday too you know”

“You better be damn proud of that one David!”

“February 3rd, 1951, and it’s a birthday present just to see you Dan!”

By now my nose has acquiesced, my anger subsided, and I fall back into my book as the two storytellers catch up in the beautiful afternoon sun, at the table right next to me.

How Feeling Unheard Can Stifle Your Creativity: A Writer's Struggle

Have you ever tried to write, but found yourself too distracted by the world around you? Maybe it's the incessant noise of the city or the chaos of a busy coffee shop. Or maybe, like me, it's the feeling of being unheard that stifles your creativity.

As a writer, I've always found solace in the written word. But when you feel like nobody is listening, it can be hard to find the motivation to put pen to paper. That's why I want to talk about the importance of feeling heard, and how it can impact your writing.

The Struggle of Feeling Unheard

As social creatures, we crave connection and validation from others. When we feel like we're being heard and understood, we experience a sense of belonging and purpose. This feeling of connection is essential to our mental and emotional well-being, and it can have a profound impact on our creativity.

When we feel heard, we're more likely to take risks and share our unique perspectives with the world. We feel more confident in our abilities and are less afraid of criticism or rejection. This, in turn, can lead to more innovative and impactful writing.

Conversely, when we feel unheard or ignored, it's easy to slip into a state of self-doubt and insecurity. We may second-guess our ideas or be afraid to express our true thoughts and feelings. This can lead to writer's block, anxiety, and a general lack of motivation to write.

It's hard to write when you feel like nobody is listening. Whether it's a lack of recognition from your peers or a feeling of disconnection from your audience, the struggle to be heard is a common one for writers.

As writers, we have a unique ability to connect with others through our words. By sharing our experiences and perspectives, we can create a sense of community and belonging. But in order to do so, we must first feel heard and understood ourselves.

Tips for Overcoming the Struggle

1. Find a supportive community: Surround yourself with people who appreciate and value your writing. Join a writing group or attend writing conferences to connect with like-minded individuals.
2. Practice self-care: Take care of your mental and emotional well-being. This can include things like exercise, meditation, and therapy.
3. Take breaks: Don't force yourself to write if you're feeling uninspired or burnt out. Take a break and come back to it when you're feeling more refreshed.
4. Keep writing: Don't let the fear of being unheard stop you from writing. Keep putting your ideas out into the world, even if it feels like nobody is listening.