ARONSIMKINS messaging. strategy. creative. 

Many years ago, I found myself in a nervous sweat as I sat at my second-grade desk. I had to use the bathroom—and bad. The only problem, I had just returned from the bathroom, and my teacher wouldn’t excuse me again on the grounds that I was “obviously messing around.” Well, a mess is exactly what we were about to have if I didn’t get to the bathroom quick. 

 

To make a long, embarrassing story into a short, embarrassing story, I had an accident. Right the middle of class. And it was horrible.

 

For the longest time, I tried to keep that memory flushed from my mind. Then, one day, I was asked to write about something embarrassing in my life. I chose this incident. To my surprise, I was able to spin quite the gripping yarn. My embarrassing moment became a captivating story. And unlike the bowels of that poor, little second grader, I had complete control. 

 

In that moment, I realized writing wasn’t a chore but a freedom. I wasn't held to any predetermined criteria for what or how my story should be. If I wanted to hyperbolize, I hyperbolized. If I wanted to be accurate, I be'd accurate. It was my story to tell, and I could tell it however I wanted. 

 

For me, writing is like painting a picture, composing a song and designing a layout all in one. It’s the complete creative experience and the perfect way to capture an expression or showcase personality.