The temporary inability to express yourself in writing, popularly known as writer's block, is a common occurrence. It can happen for any number of reasons. Some may be as simple as boredom or fatigue; others can be as difficult as emotional hangups over certain topics. The baseline is always the same, though. It boils down to the fact that you have become reluctant to share something of yourself.

Communication, regardless of its content or form, is an application of sharing. When you speak or write, you are giving something of yourself to your intended audience, be it your best friend or an entire classroom.

Talking and writing are about allowing others to partake of who you are. Your identity is captured in the manner and content of your expression. While it is possible to mask the deeper aspects of yourself, there will always be evidence of what you value and how you deal with the world.

The usual assumption is that you need to be intelligent and confident in order to express yourself. What most people miss out on is that you also need to be generous of spirit. To a degree, you can even do without the first two, if you have enough of the third.

Consider the people you've met. The most effective communicators aren't necessarily the smartest, and not all of them are paragons of self-assurance. The best writers and speakers are the ones who are willing to let others see and hear who they are.

You don't need to be anything more than who you are in order to express yourself. While it helps to build your vocabulary and develop your confidence, the critical factor is your willingness to give yourself over to your audience, come what may.

People ask me how to speak or write well. I say start simple. Let yourself be seen, let yourself be heard. The rest will follow.

[First published by Perspective, DLSU - College of St. Benilde]