So, Why Am I Telling This Now?
I suppose the reasons are twofold: the rise of online AI tools, and the fact that I finally have the time - being between jobs - to reflect and write.
Let me begin with the tools. We’re living in a remarkable age where technology can be both a muse and a mentor. English has never been my first language, and writing stories or essays in it used to feel daunting. I’d often get stuck, constantly second-guessing my grammar or phrasing. The fear of being misunderstood - or worse, judged - was enough to stop me from even trying. And when the topics are as personal and intimate as the ones I want to write about, asking someone to proofread felt impossible.
But now, with AI-assisted writing tools, the barrier is much lower. I can pour my thoughts onto the page without stopping to worry whether the sentence structure is perfect. Even if what I write initially comes out messy or riddled with errors, I know I have something to help refine it - quietly, without judgment. These tools don’t tell my story for me; they simply help me tell it better. And no matter what critics may say, AI can never replicate lived experience. It can't feel what I’ve felt, or remember what I’ve lived through. That part - the soul of the story - can only come from me. For that, I’m grateful.
The second reason is a shift in my life circumstances. I’m now a full-time househusband. After losing my job during the COVID-19 pandemic, I struggled to find stable work. While that chapter was full of uncertainty, it also led to a new role - one I never imagined for myself - taking care of our two young children while my wife returned to the corporate world.
It’s a humbling and rewarding experience. My days are now filled with school runs, playtime, meals, and quiet moments during nap hours - precious pockets of time I can dedicate to writing. My wife has been incredibly supportive of this new chapter in my life. She believes in my journey and encourages me to write, to finally give voice to the stories I’ve carried for so long.