This week, I have had the pleasure of being introduced to a new type of social media. An app called “Penned”.

The application acts as a social hub for all things writing. On the site, you can create a profile and share your work. Like Twitter, you are provided the ability to follow people, and be followed. Currently, you can read, comment, and like other users written work.

I have spent the last few days uploading stream of conscious excercises to the platform, and already, I have had several comments on my profile about my writing. It’s nice to feel encouraged for the work that we(writers) do, and this app has the potential to build a budding community of creative exploration and connectivity…

To create a profile, click this link: Penned

Or, if your reading through a phone, download the application here: Penned: The App Download Link

Currently, the App has minor issues in the form of bugs. The interface is effective, but could be greatly improved. I think with the help of our voices, and our feedback, we can support the development of a vision that I am proud to be a part of.

My username on “Penned” is Adamaz87.

In support of their development, I will be uploading my stream of conscious exercises via the platform each day.

Here is one that I published yesterday:

Afternoon Pages 2-4-2016 (Understanding Success)

Well, I finally got on Facebook.

My mom was right, it seems like the entire internet is blasting love at me. Straight up, the post I made tuesday night at 7:30 has been shared 17 times, and the ones that have shared it, have countless other shares as well…

Its crazy.

Like, I have been writing and publishing my voice for nearly 7 months now. Speaking honestly and openly about heroin addiction, recovery, spirituality, and dreams for the future. I have been writing every day, sharing myself via video and podcast…opening myself up to the world. Never before have I had a response like this…

I would say that its overwhelming, but its not…
It just makes me think about how other people judge success. How other people perceive action and courage…

I dont know…

I mean, its a weird thing. To know that because something I had written was published by a city newspaper, it makes my efforts at vocalizing the truth of mental health and recovery more real for people…

Like, straight up, I have been doing it publicly for months now…

and now, once my efforts have been recognized by a “reliable source” (a news media company) now, people have decided to notice.

I was talking to my house-mate earlier about what it has been like to read and respond to hundreds of messages on my facebook…how it feels to be published now…

and the fact is, I don’t feel any different.

And, its a good thing.

I told him that it would have been pretty shitty if I viewed a one-time publication from a local newspaper as success…it would mean that I could stop, or that my own drive would be lessened as I soaked in the love and support of friends, family, and strangers…

but thats not the case at all.

I feel successful now, I feel successful as I DO the writing. I feel successful as I press publish on ANYTHING I do. Whether its a podcast, an analytical essay on my own perception of reality, or a video where I share myself openly and honestly on the things I find value in…

It all feels the same.

As I sit here now, I know what I’ve know before anyone thought I was good writer, or an advocate for removing the stigma of mental health…I know that aint shit changed.

I am still sitting alone at my computer, writing my stream of conscious exercises, planning and processing my thoughts as I try to move myself closer to the idea of a man I would like to be…

As I practice and train myself to be better at me.

I realized 7 months ago, when I shared Detox, Recovery, and the Pursuit of a Dream, that it was just the beginning of a new journey. A step into a game field of creativity I would like to be a player in. To give myself, and share myself, freely with the world…

Sure, it took some courage, but the anxiety I felt after releasing myself into the world was no different than the anxiety I felt over the last 24 hours…

These moments of fear, the moments of reflection that compound my senses are what I crave. I dig the discomfort.

It teaches me, challenges me, and trains me to accept the task of being an artist.

Earlier, I daydreamed a what-if scenario…

Like, what-if I was offered a job to do what I love to do. To share myself, make podcasts, be on camera, and host a show…

and I realized something…

I wouldn’t be ready.

Theres more I need to do to get comfortable doing what I love.

I need to understand and be comfortable running, maintaining, and owning a business. I need to get fluid with my own platform. I need to be able to handle the direction of my website, my podcast, and my eventually social media platform on my own…

I want to know how to do these things, and as I do them, I learn…

It just so happens that a lot has happened over the last 2 weeks.

My business partner left the company, and I have had to register a new LLC with the state. I’ve had to change the name of the platform, the name of the Facebook group, and the name of the podcasts…

I’ve had to build a new umbrella to capture all of the content.

And, until the LLC comes in the mail and I am able to change the domain name on my website, I will be continuing to work on content…

Everything that has led me to now, has taught me what I need to do for the future…

And, as I sit and reflect, I realize the only thing I have to do is what I have always done…

Follow my gut, and my heart, towards the future…

–Adam Abramowitz–

(Authors Note: to read the article that was published click this link: Atlanta Jewish Times)