"Why I Write" (1946) is an essay by George Orwell detailing his personal journey to becoming a writer. It was first published in the Summer 1946 edition of Gangrel. The editors of this magazine, J.B.Pick and Charles Neil, had asked a selection of writers to explain why they write.

The essay offers a type of mini-autobiography in which he writes of having first completed poems and tried his hand at short-stories, and carried on a continuous "story" about himself in his head, before finally becoming a full-fledged writer. It goes on to set out some important motives for writing." - Wikipedia

I'm in good company

I followed my gut that got me into writing after a diagnosis on a disability I didn't know I had. Not quite the start George Orwell had, but I am in perfectly good company and we all have to start somewhere and start differently.

It is because I struggle with mental health that I write; it’s why I still continue. It makes me feel better. It brings about a different way to think about what I deal with. My writing (my blog) allows for acceptance, understanding and closure not only for me, but for readers reading my blog around what they may deal with.

Feelings become invisible and mental health issues catch up

It is important to be honest and open about how you feel. The more you hide your feelings, the more invisible they become, the more invisible you will become. Mental health issues catches up when you least expect it. I have seen cancer happen when issues are ignored, or deny they exist at all.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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