I have been a creative all my life! I wanted to be an actor since I was 12 years old. For the longest time that was my goal, I studied it all through school, college, university and a little time beyond that too. Eventually I developed anxiety and had to hang up my boots. Acting is not a game to be in when you are constantly auditioning begging for approval whilst you have anxiety and imposter syndrome lol!
Anyway during college I wrote my first poem, for my first girlfriend. I distinctly remember the feeling I got from that... corny but I felt like I had magic pulsating through my veins. I didn't write a poem for some 3 years after that. I am a bit of a classic rocker and a fan of The Doors when I happened to be reading Ray Manzarek's autobiography and he spoke of Morrison as a creative/poetic god. I was curious and youtubed his poetry and was blown away! I realised poetry didn't HAVE to be the stuff that I skipped class because of back in school! As a 21 year old, it was a revelation that poetry could be cool! Anyway, I wrote my first collection right after in about a week! 100 poems in a week hahaha oh goodness how young and naive I was. If only I knew then what I do now. Anyway, now I feel so comfortable in my skin and I know I'm exactly who I'm supposed to be as a poet! It's really changed my life and yes, I have confidence issues at times like we all do as artists... but I'm so glad to see the back of Imposter Syndrome, and can walk with a spring in my step! :)
What's your story?
Wow, your story can be made into a movie, Adam!! I would say poetry has definitely changed me. I discovered what listening to your heart actually means. I wrote poetry during my high school till my first year at university. But then I think I couldn't write even a word because of all the college drama and tangled relationships. I think after 5 years, I again started writing last year, starting with small pieces and now I am happy that I found my passion again.