Harvest International

Written by Haylee Chavers

I read because reading has been ingrained into my lifestyle since early childhood. My earliest memories are of my mother taking me to the West Covina Library. Every week I got to pick out a new story and explore its world. Escaping into made-up worlds has always brought me a comfort that could never be replicated. I love to take time out of my day and engross myself in stories about people in made-up worlds with magical powers and dissociate from the stressors of the day. For that very same reason, I love to write. I’m not particularly fond of writing, but I see the benefit in it.  

Writing is a practical use to me more than it is fun. Writing is a complex art that requires thought and intention. Well, I don’t always like writing. I enjoy the process. I enjoy how writing forces you to explore yourself and your thoughts and takes you out of your comfort zone. It forces you to sit with your ideas and work them out in a way that will make sense to others. I like that writing makes you think about things that you read in a way that you may not have otherwise. I write because exploring my own abilities makes me enjoy reading differently. I enjoy reading because I can pick up a book and escape into a world that has nothing to do with my everyday life. I also enjoy being able to analyze what I read. To be able to sit through and tab a book can think about concepts that I may not have looked at the first time I read it. I love reading and writing because these two things work in a continuous cycle that helps me learn, grow, and improve myself. Reading is such a big part of my life that I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. It laid down the foundation for how I think and express myself in the world, even if plotting out ideas feels difficult at times. Reading and writing will always have a place in my heart because I enjoy exploring the meaning in words.