Seun Payne Jackson
As we progressed through school, such topics were replaced with “better” and “more advanced” ones—essays on societal issues, scientific concepts, or historical events. These were deemed more intellectual and more worthy of our time. But what we lost in the process was the opportunity to refine the skill of personal expression. Writing became less about storytelling and more about meeting rigid academic criteria.
This disconnection would come back to haunt me later.
Years after school, my line manager critiqued my emails during one of my first jobs. “You write like you’re talking,” she said. “You need to do better.” At first, I struggled to grasp what she meant. Writing had never been a critical skill in my education or career training. It wasn’t until I started receiving feedback from peers and mentors that I realized how much I had to unlearn and relearn.
Emails, proposals, presentations—these were not just tasks; they were forms of communication that required clarity, purpose, and structure. Writing wasn’t merely about conveying information; it was about doing so in a way that engaged, informed, and persuaded.
Reflecting on Pishikeni’s insight, I now see the value of topics like How I Spent My Holiday. Beyond the surface-level exercise of recounting events, such essays taught us how to organize thoughts, develop a narrative, and communicate effectively. For those who paid attention, they were foundational exercises in self-expression, creativity, and even empathy—skills that remain invaluable in adulthood.
If only we had been encouraged to see writing not as a static ability but as a dynamic craft to be honed over time, perhaps more of us would feel confident in our ability to articulate ideas today.
As we race toward the holiday season, what stories will you tell? How will you tell them? Will you recount the warmth of family gatherings, the thrill of new experiences, or even the quiet moments of reflection? Every story matters for its content and how it shapes our ability to connect with others and express ourselves.
The seemingly trivial act of recounting holidays is an opportunity to embrace storytelling as a skill. Whether in a journal, a conversation, or even a social media post, the narratives we create help define how we relate to the world and one another.
This experience has made me more intentional about valuing writing as a skill. Whether drafting an email, writing a proposal, or even crafting an essay like this, I approach it as an opportunity to refine my voice. And as I work to develop this skill, I encourage others to revisit those early exercises. There’s wisdom in the simplicity of How I Spent My Holiday—a lesson in storytelling, authenticity, and connection.
Perhaps the actual point of that essay wasn’t about the holiday at all. It was about learning to tell our story in whatever form it takes.
