Practice

Practice writing. Practice writing. Practice writing.

What am I doing? I am practicing writing.

In this new world where AI can accomplish almost anything the average human can, it’s important to keep some things for ourselves.

Let our voices be our own.

I remember learning cursive writing in the third grade. And while I can still read and write in cursive, it’s safe to say my penmanship is not what it once was. Why? Because I stopped practicing.

I also remember weekly spelling drills and tests all through my primary education. While spelling has never been my strongest subject, I can’t say it’s improved much since those early days. Why? I stopped practicing. The invention of spell check made spelling drills obsolete in my world.

We live in a world of convenience. We have machines to wash and dry our clothes, our dishes, our cars—I even have a robot to sweep and mop my floors. Apps do my shopping and menu planning. Communication no longer needs to be face-to-face because we have apps for that as well.

I’ve gotten lazy lately; I feel myself sinking into a slump of apathy at times. To some degree, I’m pretty sure this is normal—especially at my age.

But that’s not how I want to live, not how I want to feel. Apathy, while sometimes easier, isn’t for me.

I don’t want to lose what I’ve worked 50 years to grow: my voice.

I will practice writing, practice perfecting, practice voicing my thoughts and my story.

Because AI can’t do that.