Chapter 1: The Challenge of Originality

As a dedicated Portuguese individual adhering to my cultural customs, I take Sundays as a day of rest. Yet, I often mistakenly view writing as just another chore on my lengthy to-do list. Even on this day of leisure, I find myself opening my laptop to produce something.

Writing, after all, is a labor that demands creativity and unwavering dedication—often overlooked, as if inspiration were the sole requirement. I find that creativity flows more freely in my downtime. When the burden of endless online classes lifts, my thoughts can wander into societal reflections, allowing me to craft what I deem significant.

I am not alone in experiencing those daunting phases when words simply refuse to emerge. No matter our efforts, the mind can sometimes feel like a barren landscape, leading to what is commonly known as writer's block. This genuine struggle can spiral into frustration, feelings of inadequacy, and even mild depression.

During these times, we might question our identity as writers, only to be overwhelmed with a flood of ideas once the block lifts. It’s a relentless cycle of abundance and scarcity that we strive to navigate.

Yet, beyond this creative impasse, I confront another issue as both a writer and a reader: the incessant repetition of topics. Perhaps you’ve sensed this trend as well.

We are bombarded by Western society, fixated on the same themes, which risks either trivializing serious issues or boring audiences with a lack of innovative content.

Consider the vast array of social media, where the same subjects dominate. On one hand, there are overly optimistic writers who cater to market-driven narratives, often producing vacuous self-help articles. I remain skeptical of those proclaiming to have discovered the ultimate truth, yet they seem to thrive in the current environment.

Conversely, I often find myself among writers gripped by anxiety—whether it pertains to politics, environmental crises, or the fight for rights in a society that seems to oscillate between extremes.

Take, for instance, the myriad topics now deemed taboo to discuss. This peculiar phenomenon, originating in America and now spreading globally, stems from a well-meaning yet ultimately misguided woke culture that has led to an environment where even the most benign beliefs are immune to scrutiny, under the threat of being “canceled.”

This creates a culture that stifles debate, silencing the discourse that took generations to cultivate. Ironically, it’s almost laughable. As a left-leaning individual—something my regular readers would recognize—I find it bewildering how many conversations have vanished.

We once passionately opposed dogmas and absolute beliefs, only to revert to the very mistakes we fought against. I am particularly curious about the book "The Left Isn't Woke," as it seems to encapsulate the confusion regarding the current political spectrum.

The definitions of left and right have blurred, with both sides exhibiting extremes. It feels as though the adults have left the discussion entirely.

So here we are, trapped in a cycle of recycling the same ideas, stifling our creativity and overwhelming ourselves with repetitive narratives that fail to engage anyone. This fixation on trivial first-world concerns can be deeply offensive to those facing genuine hardships around the globe.

While I acknowledge that I am not presenting anything groundbreaking in this piece, I write with a wealth of literary influences behind me. These works stand as testaments to our creativity and humanity, reminding us of our potential for innovation and progress.

Perhaps the first step toward revitalization is to unplug from our screens and reconnect with the written word. I plan to do just that.

Until we meet again, whenever that may be.

Hello, I’m Araci, a female writer from Portugal. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. Your support is invaluable, and if you enjoyed this article, consider buying me a "coffee" here: