Write for You: One Thing, Now Another

by Nancy Casey

Everything changes. That’s what they say.

The more things change, the more things stay the same. They say that, too.

Is that because everything—no matter what it is—used to be something else?

Today in your writing, you notice the many different aspects of your present life which used to be different. Which is to say—everything.

Begin with a sentence that goes like this:

Once…………, now ………… .

You can consider the solid objects in front of you. What was there before there was a table, your shoes, a plant, a window, a cup? What were the table, plant, shoes, window or cup before they were turned into those things?

You can think about the ideas in your mind. We often change our minds. Where we once thought one thing, now we think a different way.

Emotions change. Relationships change. Food preferences change. So does the weather and our bank account. Healing is change, so is an injury. It’s always the same story: things used to be one way, now things are different.

You can write about big things or little ones, things you can see or things that are invisible. You can write many words about one thing, or write only a few and move on to the next one. Whatever you write about, tell it in two parts: how it used to be and how it is now.

Once…………, now ………… .

When you have finished, give your work a title. Make sure the date is on it somewhere, too. Add further decoration and color to the page as needed. Here is an example of what a person could write.

You can share what you have written by posting it as a comment below. You can type in your work. Or post a picture of it.

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. She offers (free!) writing help to anyone in recovery. This can be for any kind of writing project—resumes, letters, stories, novels, homework, etc. She will be teaching writing classes at the Recovery Center starting in May. Email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.