Writing in The Age of Uncertainty
- Brenda Medrano
- Dec 31, 2024
- 4 min read
As I drag myself over the 2024 finish line on hands and knees, I reflect on the past and aim to make 2025 a year of mindful improvement for both myself and my writing. Here's what's ahead:
In 2020, I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration amidst a global pandemic.
Like most new graduates, I struggled to overcome the changes that come with entering the professional workforce for the first time. I had been working shitty part-time jobs all throughout college, but nothing came close to the chaos and stress of diving into pediatric healthcare during unprecedented times.
The early days were the strangest- Our once bustling clinic, which shared a waiting room with the Emergency room at Shands at the University of Florida, had come almost to a complete standstill. It was empty and eery- The lively movement and sounds of the Hospital came to a halt. As far as patients, It's only occupants now the staff, and patients of most urgent needs.
This unanticipated era of slower pace, enabled me to rekindle my love for reading and writing. Through the constant change of safety protocols and health risks, I found moments of joy in getting lost to the thrill of The girl with the dragon tattoo and the fantasy of A thousand years of solitude.
Visitors to the hospital were made to wear stickers on arrival. The date was largely printed on the front. The sticker badges began to accumulate on a the parking garage, where families of those in the hospital would stick them like a bulletin board as they left for the day.
A contemporary art piece was formed- As the weeks turned to months, it grew with each passing day and was a poignant sign of the times we lived.
Covid-19 then came into full effect, and the hospital shifted from cautionary silence to an over-influx of patients. I watched as my colleagues; doctors, nurses, office staff struggled to stay afloat. We were getting sick, ourselves, but managed the best we could. We battled with the politics of it all- the mask wearing, the vaccines, and often times, the lack of support from our government, who downplayed the seriousness from the safety of their mansions on a hill, far away from the front line.
Through my frustration at things that I had no power to change, I found solace in creativity. Empathy was depleting and hope was drained at times, but I struggled with those feelings- knowing that it was such a deviation from who I was, as a person. Maybe at times I gave it too much credence, but that is just who I am to my core. That never went away. I know that now.
I began to write. Not sure where to take it, but like many- I just wrote what I knew.
I've lived a lot of life since 2020. I've had my fair share of ups and downs, that have changed me as a person in a myriad of ways. But, somehow, I always find myself coming back to the story. As I've evolved, so has the writing. The process has been so entirely cathartic, and nagging.
The cycle typically follows as such: I'll have a few days to weeks of motivated creativity, and then burn out- not to touch the project for days... weeks... even months. But, other days I wake up with an idea so ignited, that I find myself spending my entire bus ride to work conjuring up storylines in my minds. Plot points and dialogue that ruminate until I can put it on paper. I've learned to have new-found respect for the cycle, to not fight it and to not see it as the enemy. To write a story that touches lives, you have to continue to live yours in the meantime.
In 2024, I started this blog, and I have enjoyed working on it in my off-hours. I truly want to make it something special—a place I hope to grow and connect with other writers in the process.
In 2025, I have some new goals that I want to pursue:
The first, is to join a book club/writers club. While researching the classic book series by Maude Hart-Lovelace, I recently discovered the Betsy-Tacy Society. As a child, my mother read the Betsy-Tacy series to me, just as her mother had done for her. I never realized that the series is semi-autobiographical and that there is an actual place where the characters lived. In Mankato, MN, The Betsy-Tacy Society offers historical home tours, along with virtual book club and writing workshops. This has become my niche obsession, and I've found my people!
Writing can be isolating- so much of it exists in your head! As a self-recluse at times, I know that it can be scary to open up, and share those ideas to an audience before you feel ready. But, I believe finding community is important and talking openly on the process of the struggle can be helpful to others in the same shoes.
Second, is to refine my writing. To improve both my writing skills and the completion of projects I've been working on. I think the best way for writers to hone their craft is by reading the works of authors they admire. I want to do that more in 2025, in addition to discovering the works of new authors.
Third, is to try my hand at freelance opportunities. I'll be looking for places to contribute my work and add to the conversations I care about. Being in Chicago, there is a plethora of creative outlets to try this out with. It would be a real honor to have my work selected as a featured piece.
There's a lot to come in the new year! Ty and I might take the leap and move from Chicago to another city—maybe Denver, Charlotte, or Savannah. We'll start new jobs and explore. I hope to make more trips to Florida to visit my family and friends. Ultimately, I would love to get a piece of land and make it our personal sanctuary where I can sit on my porch and write all day! We're working hard towards that, but in the meantime, we are making the most of every day.
