My journey in writing began when I was listening to a podcast, and certain ideas mentioned in the episode compelled me to share my perspective. Given that I had written many research essays for school throughout my life, I assumed that completing my first essay – one about a topic I was interested in – would be an easy task. However, as anyone who has written an essay regarding their deep-rooted personal beliefs already understands, I found it quite strenuous on my ability to think. The truth was that most of my values were only self-explicable, and any attempt at writing them down coherently led to periods of deep, arduous contemplation.

 
After identifying this problem, which I did almost immediately, I searched for potential solutions, starting with the most obvious candidate – writing. I began by journaling my goals at the end of every day, which – like my first personal essay – was not easy. Before this, I had no experience in creating complex long-term goals, only easily definable ones – a test score, a body weight, a certain number of pull-ups, etc. So, given that I was motivated to become more articulate in my speech and beliefs, I made it my first goal.

 
Striving to have well-thought-out values, I started writing, initially at a rate of one essay every week, making note of any potential topics that appear in my mind. I began with the most fundamental aspects of my personality: the reason I pursue a hobby, advocate for an ideal, and act the way I do. In congruence with the previous tasks, I found this extremely difficult; it was grueling to explain something that felt so natural, so right. Thinking exclusively rationally about the reason for my actions caused me to truly understand that the logical part of me – the one that considers consequences, has goals and ideals, and craves to bring value to the world – was secondary to my impulsive side. I was reacting, almost purely, according to my base desires, allowing my biological desires to dictate the way I live my life. Humans are compelled to act in accordance with their continued survival, but the comfortable, gluttonous life of the modern male is not an example of this. I would not have understood this – and most of my current values – had I not begun writing.

 
Concurrently with my consistent writing, I started reading books – which remains one of the most significant steps I took toward becoming more precise in my speech and enhancing my ability to write. Books, from various authors ranging from Marcus Aurelius to Fyodor Dostoevsky, gave me ideas to contemplate, pick apart, and form judgments about. I particularly benefited from propositional books that advocated for a particular perspective, as they helped me understand how conclusions are arrived at and how exactly an author can justify a belief. My ability to recognize poorly-thought arguments, generic talking points, and common fallacies developed primarily through consistent reading. Given that I was reading from a wide range of literary masters, my love for writing grew, as I was motivated to match, or even exceed, their writing capabilities (although, I now know I will most likely never come close to the skill level of these authors within my lifetime).

 
So, regarding the title of this essay, how did I come to love writing? After being subject to countless mental pitfalls and paradoxes during the writing process, I began to enjoy it, as a process that requires deep, focused concentration, which, in turn, opened undiscovered aspects of my psyche – allowing me to interpret human existence through a new lens. To put it plainly, the passion I have for writing originates in how it requires rigorous thought in regard to my ingrained values, transforming and allowing me to become a better, more useful human – as my ability to articulate is paramount in my flourishing.

 
Over the past few months, writing has become an essential activity in my life; and to classify it as a hobby would not be giving it justice – as I’ve come to regard it as my primary occupation outside of school. My epiphanies are rushed to be written down, essay topics are contemplated throughout my day, and I’ve come to love pitfalls within my values, as they allow me to solidify my beliefs to the greatest extent possible. Essentially, I would consider it a form of torture to concede my ability to write, as it is my passion, therapy, and life.