Submissions for the annual World Childless Week (WCW)* opened this week. I’m already thinking about what I might submit by way of written pieces. Inevitably, this has got me reflecting on why we bother to write at all, especially for something as public as WCW.
I write partly for selfish reasons. Writing about my childless journey helps me to understand what I’m feeling and gain some perspective about it. Writing can be cathartic too—although it can also be mentally and emotionally draining, depending on the topic. But hopefully, even when painful, the intent of writing is for long-term relief.
Writing is also one form of leaving a legacy. By that, I don’t just mean that my written pieces represent me—so as long as they exist in the world, then so do I (although that kind of immortality is undeniably cool). More importantly, though, it’s about having a lasting and positive effect on others.
It’s about having a lasting and positive effect on others.Most of us grieve alone. Most of us endure childlessness, medical appointments, bad news and anxiety alone. It’s easy for us to believe we are, in fact, alone. But this isn’t true. We certainly will experience isolation at times. But we are never truly alone. Because we have each other.
This is the power of the village, and of WCW. It brings us together, all genders, all walks of life, all faiths, all countries around this vast world of ours. In reading each others’ stories, we learn we are not the only ones to walk this path. Others understand what we’re going through. They feel how we feel. And they’re finding ways of surviving childlessness, just like we are.
They’re finding ways of surviving childlessness, just like we are.It gives me great relief to read peoples’ stories and feel my soul resonating with theirs. It is also immensely rewarding to be part of the village by contributing my small piece of writing, like a single-coloured fragment in a kaleidoscope. I write with the hope that others will resonate with me, just as I do with them.
We can’t do this alone. And we don’t have to. WCW is a gift to all of us, and all are welcome. I hope you find a way to contribute something this year, even if it’s only a few lines. If it’s your first time, I hope you gather the courage to put your words out there, knowing that your village is waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Your village is waiting to welcome you with open arms. And if you’re a WCW veteran, I hope you keep on submitting, knowing your words are doing the world of good.
*WCW has different topics each year. To read about the topics for WCW 2024, and to submit your piece, click here: https://worldchildlessweek.net/past-events
Have you ever written about your childlessness journey? Would you consider writing your story at some point and sharing it with your village? What would help you take that step? Share your story. Let’s have a countercultural conversation.