My father is the reason I fell in love with stories. He's a retired high school teacher, and our house felt like a library growing up. Shelves overflowed with books, and every time I finished one, he'd hand me another.

One book stuck with me—In Search of Gold. I don't remember every detail, but I remember how it made me feel. Like I was searching for something too, even if I didn't know what.

At the time, I didn't realize how much my father was shaping me. He'd sit for hours, flipping through pages as if they held the answers to life's biggest questions. I'd watch him, intrigued but never imagining I could do the same. Writing felt like something other people did. Not me.

Then, one day, I found an old high school notebook. I had scribbled random thoughts and lines from books that made me pause. One line stayed with me: "I think, therefore I am."

I didn't fully understand it, but something cracked open inside me. For the first time, I wondered: Could I tell stories too?

It hasn't been easy. I've quit more times than I can count. Last August, I finally built up the courage to share a story online. I hit "post" and waited. Crickets. No likes, no comments. Just silence.

But I kept writing.

Now, I write about everything—failures, small wins, the weird thoughts that keep me up at night. I write about the unfairness I see in my community and the quiet joys that make life bearable. Most of all, I write because stories feel like bridges. They connect us—to strangers, to truths, to parts of ourselves we've forgotten.

I don't know if anyone will ever read these words. But I'll keep writing anyway. Because somewhere, someone might need to hear, "I think, therefore I am"—and realize they're not alone.

And if you've ever wanted to tell your own story but don't know where to start, here are five storytelling tips that helped me:

1️⃣ Start with what moves you – Write about something that stirs an emotion in you. If it matters to you, it will matter to someone else.

2️⃣ Show, don't just tell – Instead of saying, "My father loved books," describe how he flipped pages for hours, lost in thought. Let readers see it.

3️⃣ Embrace imperfection – Your first draft won't be perfect. Neither will your tenth. Keep going, anyway.

4️⃣ Write as if you're talking to a friend – Drop the big words. Keep it real, keep it short and straight to point.

5️⃣ Share, even when you're scared – The first post might get no likes. Post anyway. Someone out there needs your story.

Now it's your turn. What's one story you've been afraid to share?