I began writing in April 2020, right as the pandemic reached us here in the Republic of Ireland. The country went into lockdown on the 27th of March, and like many people, I suddenly found myself with long stretches of quiet. The days felt slow and uncertain, and I wanted to use that time for something that felt constructive, something that might steady me a little.

Graphic design and writing were the 2 creative paths that appealed to me most. I had always admired people who could make something from nothing, whether it was an image or a story. I tried my hand at graphic design first and quickly discovered how challenging it was, especially back then before AI tools made experimentation easier. I spent hours in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, fumbling my way through layers, shapes and colour palettes. It was frustrating at times, but there was a quiet satisfaction in seeing even small improvements. Still, I realised fairly quickly that graphic design was not going to be my main creative outlet.

Writing tugged at me in a different way. My 1st idea was a children’s story about a group of dolphins who befriend a young boy or girl, with an environmental message woven through it. I imagined it becoming a series. I had not written a single paragraph yet, but my imagination was already racing ahead. I blush a little now thinking back on how enthusiastic I was before I had even started, but there was something lovely about that early excitement. It felt like pure possibility.

The truth is, I had not written anything in over twenty years. Not a story, not a scene, not even a paragraph. Through work and friends, I knew a few people I could ask for advice. One of my patients, a Speech and Drama teacher who had published short stories for children, told me to start small. She suggested short stories first, then build from there. I liked that idea immediately. I enjoy taking on a new challenge, but I also like when the challenge has a clear end point. Short stories gave me that. I could come up with an idea, develop it, edit it many times, and then move on to the next one.

Looking back, I think writing appealed to me because it offered a sense of steadiness at a time when everything else felt unpredictable. Sitting at my desk with a hot brew, tapping out a few lines in the quiet of the evening, gave shape to the days. It gave me something to look forward to. It reminded me that creativity does not have to be grand or dramatic. Sometimes it is just a small, private act that helps you feel a bit more grounded.

As I wrote more, I found myself drawn to stories that felt gentle, hopeful or quietly uplifting. I liked the thought of someone reading one of my pieces during a ten minute break and finishing it with a little more ease in their shoulders. Not every story needs to change a life. Sometimes it is enough if it softens a moment.

Over time, my writing naturally expanded beyond fiction. Working in elder care has shown me the small, often unnoticed ways people try to look after one another. The routines that keep us steady. The quiet gestures that help someone feel safe. The small misunderstandings that happen when language gets in the way, and the even smaller moments of connection that happen when it does not. I began writing about those things too, because they felt worth noticing. They still do.

I also found myself writing about the emotional side of care, the part that sits between the practical tasks. The uncertainty families feel when a loved one moves into full time care. The way staff from different countries bring their own rhythms and expressions into the work. The way creativity and healing sometimes overlap in unexpected ways. These pieces are not dramatic, but they are honest, and I think there is value in that kind of honesty. It gives people a place to breathe.

Since 2022, I have written many short stories and essays, more than I ever expected when I first sat down with that dolphin idea and a blank page. Some are light, some are reflective, some surprised me as I wrote them. Over the coming months, I would love to share them here. I only launched this space a few days ago, but I have already shared one of my short stories here. It was the 4th or 5th story I ever wrote, and it still means something to me. If you have ten minutes to spare, I would be glad if you gave it a read. And if it offers you even a small lift, the same one it gave me when I wrote it, I will be delighted.