The Symphony of Writing

Unleash the Power of Family and Hobbies in Your Content

Amy Barlowe
Word Garden
4 min readJul 1, 2024

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Photo by Jonas Kool on Unsplash

Life is a whirlwind, isn’t it? Between my demanding job as a lawyer, raising three amazing kids, and squeezing in rock climbing sessions whenever I can, I often feel like I’m juggling a million things at once. But amidst the chaos, there’s a beautiful rhythm, a symphony of sorts.

My kids, Cassie, Darla, and George, are my biggest inspiration. Cassie, my 14-year-old gymnastics prodigy, is brilliant and insightful, while Darla, my 10-year-old aspiring nurse, melts my heart with her compassion. George, my energetic 7-year-old, is a train enthusiast and budding football player who keeps us all on our toes. Their stories, our experiences as a family, and the adventures we share are the fuel for my writing on Medium. I love weaving these real-life moments into my content, blending my passion for productivity, my love for the outdoors, and the joy of family into every post.

The Symphony’s Music

A symphony isn’t just about the music, it’s also about the instruments, the musicians, and the conductor. This is how I think about writing. I blend the different parts of my life — my passions, my family stories, my unique perspective — to create a beautiful and complete work.

My husband, Bill, is a car restoration enthusiast. He finds old, forgotten cars and brings them back to life, transforming them from neglected relics into gleaming beauties. This is both a challenge and an art form. Watching him work, I realized it was the perfect analogy for writing. You take something forgotten, clean it up, polish it, and give it a fresh voice. I try to do the same with my writing, breathing life into experiences and stories, making them engaging and inspiring for others.

Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash

Cassie’s Climb

Watching Cassie, my gymnastics-obsessed daughter, conquer the uneven bars is both thrilling and humbling. She’d sometimes get discouraged, feeling like she’d never land that double pike. But she’d keep practicing, pushing herself harder, and eventually she’d nail it. That determination, that resilience, it sparked a whole piece on Medium about pushing past limits and believing in yourself.

Seeing her navigate those challenges, I realized how much her journey mirrored my own writing process. Sometimes, I feel like I’m struggling to get the words right, to make the story flow, to find that perfect voice. But then, remembering Cassie’s perseverance, I dig deeper, keep pushing, and eventually, I find that momentum. It’s like we’re both climbing our own mountains, finding our own way to the peak, and those stories, those struggles, and triumphs, they become the raw material of my writing.

George’s Train Tracks

George, my seven-year-old son, is absolutely fascinated by trains. He spends hours building elaborate tracks, watching the little engines chug around and around, and his joy is truly contagious. It’s so simple, yet it reminds me to appreciate the small things in life.

Sometimes, I get caught up in the fast pace of life, the deadlines, the never-ending to-do list. But then I watch George, completely lost in his train set, and it’s like a gentle reminder to slow down, to find those moments of joy in the everyday. This has led me to write about the power of observation, how we can find beauty in the ordinary, whether it’s the way sunlight dances on a flower or the feeling of a warm breeze on a summer day. It’s about finding those little moments of magic that make life extraordinary. I try to weave these moments into my writing, sharing that childlike wonder with my readers. Because sometimes, the most impactful stories are those found in the simplest of things, just like George’s train tracks.

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

The Symphony’s Heartbeat

Writing is truly magical. It’s more than just words on a page, it’s about stirring emotions.

My family’s stories, filled with laughter, tears, and shared adventures, find their way into my writing, adding depth and authenticity. Last summer, we embarked on a crazy road trip across Texas, stopping at quirky attractions and national parks. The memories we made on that journey will last a lifetime. It was an epic adventure, full of hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments. I wrote about it on Medium, capturing the essence of the trip, the good, the bad, and the downright silly. The response was amazing, and I realized it wasn’t just about the places we visited, but the shared experience, the laughter, the frustrations, and the sheer joy of being together. That’s the power of writing, weaving real-life experiences into stories that connect with people on a deeper level. This is what keeps me coming back, to share these stories, these moments, and hopefully inspire others to embrace their own family adventures.

The Symphony’s Encore

The key is finding the perfect balance — a harmonious mix of your passions, life experiences, and family stories. This unique blend creates a powerful symphony within your writing, resonating deeply with readers, making them feel like they’re right beside you on your journey.

Don’t hold back! What’s your personal symphony, the unique blend of experiences that fuels your creativity? Share it with me in the comments! Join me on this exciting adventure of merging family, hobbies, and writing by hitting that follow button for more inspiring ideas. We’re just beginning!

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Amy Barlowe
Word Garden

Joyful mom of three, loving wife, productivity guru, and mindset writer. Embracing life's adventures!